What did Kyrie Irving say about his synergy with Luka Doncic after two games?

Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic are 0-2 as teammates with the Dallas Mavericks. They lost 133-128 in overtime to the Sacramento Kings last Saturday and against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday.

In both cases, the superstars deferred to the other, which compromised the Mavericks’ aggressiveness and rhythm, particularly in the crucial stages of those games.

Here’s what Irving had to say to the media when asked about his chemistry with Doncic after two games:

"It feels great. We just have to get more timely stops and take care of a few possessions that can go either way. We're playing in the Western Conference, and I am learning that there's a lot of physicality [and] a lot of players that go get buckets.

"Right now, I am figuring out his pace, especially in the first quarter. Coming out of halftime, figuring out what pace we're going to play at. When we're up and running and gunning a little bit and switching on the perimeter, doing things that keep the game going, not taking the ball out of the rim.

"I feel like we play extremely well when we're doing that. That pace is great for us. But obviously, we can't wait until the fourth quarter to get it going like that. That's on me. We will figure it out a little earlier and be aggressive and just be myself."

Kyrie Irving arrived before this month’s trade deadline. After playing the last few years with Kevin Durant in Brooklyn, Irving obviously had to adjust to the style and system of the Dallas Mavericks.

With Luka Doncic still recovering from a heel injury, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd allowed Irving to run the offense. Once “Luka Legend” joined the team, Dallas seemed hesitant and a little discombobulated with two ball-dominant point guards.

Before Irving’s arrival, Doncic had never played with someone of his skill level and pedigree as a backcourt mate. There were bound to be bumps and growing pains along the way.

Luka Doncic has never deferred this much to a teammate, not even with an aging Dirk Nowitzki in the lineup. Against the Timberwolves, Doncic and Kyrie Irving played a game of hot potato, urging the other to shoot.

Dallas has two of the most unstoppable one-on-one players in NBA history and neither one of them was willing to take the big shot. That will have to change sooner rather than later for the Mavericks to secure a playoff spot.

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Defense might be where Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic will struggle

Both Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic have never been known for their defense. The two have often been targeted on defense because of their inability to consistently contain opposing players.

The Mavericks have almost always surrounded Doncic with good and willing defenders to cover for him. Losing Dorian Finney-Smith in the trade to get Irving has already been felt.

Kyrie Irving had his most success in the NBA with LeBron James. The four-time MVP was an elite defender during their time together with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Luka Doncic has never been elite on that end, which could pose a ton of problems for the Mavericks’ backcourt.

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