Following their victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving opened up about their experience as teammates, highlighting their mutual respect and camaraderie on and off the court.
Doncic praised Irving’s impact, stating, “Big time, man. When he came, nothing but supportive of everything I did, everything we did. But just help me mature a lot, realize to see the game in a different way And obviously on the court it’s amazing to play with a guy like him. Like I said, just go out there and enjoy. The leader he’s been for us, not just for me, but for us he’s been amazing. Always positive energy.”
In response, Irving reflected on their journey together, remarking, “I just think this guy next to me has pushed me to continue to work on my game and continue to develop as a young leader. I think the big word that we can agree on is just maturity.
“Coming into Dallas, I was dealing with a lot mentally, spiritually, emotionally and they embraced me with open arms. I don’t have a perfect journey, so coming into this environment I was unsure how we’re going to work out on the court, but off the court I knew that eventually I would get him to open up. This guy is a big Teddy Bear at times off the court. Big competitor. Okay, I’ll say big Teddy Bear, who likes to compete. He’s still ducking me in dominos.
“At times I just have to sit back and marvel at his talent and his ability to get outside his comfort zone. I enjoy watching him be a father, watching him develop as a person first and then the basketball stuff will take care of its. We know how skilled he is, we all know his numbers and stuff like that.
“I want to be a teammate and a brother next to him, who helps him grow as a man and helps him achieve the things that he wants to achieve. I know he feels the same way.
“The mission is still the same for us. When we step on that court, we enjoy competing with each other. The times that you guys don’t get to see is the times that we get to compete against each other on the court in practice, which we just laugh and joke and we workout together.
“We know that this dream of our started when we were kids, so to connect like this on this level, I’m 32, he’s a young 25. He’s still growing. He’s just a good kid. Good human being. Good young man.”
