With Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving excelling for the Dallas Mavericks in these playoffs, there has been some talk of them being the greatest backcourt in NBA history. Irving was asked about that chatter following the Mavericks’ 116-107 win in Game 3 over the Minnesota Timberwolves and the 32-year-old didn’t agree with it.
“It doesn’t mean anything if we don’t win a ring together,” Irving said. “I say that very responsibly too, not saying that we aren’t great now but there are other backcourts that are more deserving right now for that recognition.
“I think once we put a good run together we can look back on it and reflect on it, then that’ll be our time,” Irving continued. “But right now, show a lot of respect to the guys that have come before us and have actually did it and our time will come.
“We just got to keep putting in the work and continue to feed each other that positive affirmation, energy and we’ll go from there,” Irving stated. “But right now, we’re just focused on enjoying the moment, enjoying how well we’re playing as a team. You’re seeing some special basketball from me and Luka but we wouldn’t be here without our teammates.”
Reporter: "When people talk about you and Luka [Doncic] as possibly the greatest backcourt in NBA history."
Kyrie Irving: "Who said that? It doesn't mean anything if we don't win a ring together, and I say that very responsibly too."pic.twitter.com/fqJdxlQqQ1
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 27, 2024
That was a great response from Irving. The eight-time All-Star showed respect to the great backcourt duos who came before them and accomplished more than they have as of now.
While I also believe that Irving and Doncic have some ways to go before they are crowned as the greatest backcourt, there is no denying that something special is brewing in Dallas right now. In just their first full season together, these two look set to lead the Mavericks to the NBA Finals, which is quite impressive.
Irving has averaged 22.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in these playoffs. He has been very efficient too, having shot 49.2% from the field and 44.0% from beyond the arc.
As for Doncic, he has put up 28.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in this postseason. The 25-year-old has done so despite being hampered by injuries, but he does seem to be doing better health-wise lately.
If Irving and Doncic do indeed end up leading the Mavericks to the championship this season, then I think they will have to be a part of that conversation when it comes to the greatest backcourt. For them to get the title of the greatest, though, they’ll have to win multiple championships.
Luka Doncic Praised Kyrie Irving After Game 3
Doncic and Irving scored 33 points each in that win in Game 3 over the Timberwolves. The latter scored 14 of those 33 in the fourth quarter as he once again came up big when it mattered most. After the game, Doncic praised Irving and stated he was born for these situations.
“Unbelievable. That’s why they call him, some people, Mr. 4th quarter, right? Just amazing,” Doncic said. “He scored, what, 33?… It’s amazing. He’s born for this situation. He (was) born for the clutch situations. So we just give the ball to him.”
Irving’s play in the clutch in this series is a big reason why the Mavericks are up 3-0. That vaunted Timberwolves defense has had no answers for him in these last two games in particular and it’ll be interesting to see if they can come up with some sort of adjustment to slow him down.
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