The recent trade sending Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers has left Kyrie Irving and his teammates in a state of shock and disbelief. The unexpected move, which came as a surprise even to Irving, marks a significant shift for the Dallas Mavericks. Irving expressed that he and his teammates are navigating through what he described as a "grieving process," as they adjust to the new dynamics without Doncic. Despite this upheaval, Irving is looking forward to playing alongside Anthony Davis, a longtime friend, and remains optimistic about the team's potential.
Irving was candid about his emotions following the trade, admitting that he is still coming to terms with the news. The sudden nature of the trade caught everyone off guard. Irving remarked, "Just really shocked," after scoring 34 points in a close 118-116 loss to the 76ers. He added, "You just don't imagine you're going to get ready to go to sleep and then you find out news like that." This sentiment of surprise was shared by his teammates as well, highlighting the unforeseen nature of the transaction.
The Mavericks are gearing up for an NBA Finals rematch against the Boston Celtics on Thursday night. Irving acknowledged the challenges of adjusting to the team's new reality without Doncic. He emphasized that the transition is not only personal but collective, saying, "I know they are feeling it, too. I'm feeling it too, guys. So, yeah, it's just an adjustment period. I don't want to downplay this either, or disrespect our new guys. They're going to help us win, and help us build toward a championship."
Despite the emotional toll of Doncic's departure, Irving remains hopeful about Dallas' prospects. The plan was initially centered around Irving and Kevin Durant teaming up, with an eventual goal of playing alongside Davis and Jayson Tatum in Boston. This blueprint seems to have shifted significantly with the recent trade, yet Irving is staying focused on piecing together a championship-caliber team. "We're putting the pieces together," he stated. "And the tone is improving, just because everybody had questions, a little confusion, and that's about it."
Irving's connection with Davis adds an intriguing layer to this development. Their past links date back to discussions in 2018 when Irving was part of a Celtics team that ultimately fell apart despite having considerable talent. His departure from Boston in 2019 led him to join forces with Durant in Brooklyn. Meanwhile, Davis found himself traded to the Lakers in a blockbuster deal alongside LeBron James. Now reunited on the Mavericks, Irving expressed excitement about teaming up with Davis once more.
Reflecting on the business side of basketball, Irving described the trade as a "weird case in NBA history." He acknowledged that while it may be unusual, it is emblematic of the ruthless nature of professional sports. "This is a weird case in NBA history to be a part of, but at the same time it's the nature of our business," he said. "It's a ruthless business. So you've got to be ready to pick up the pieces and run towards the championship."
Despite the upheaval, Irving maintains an optimistic outlook for the Mavericks' future. He believes that with the new talent joining the team, Dallas has the potential for another deep playoff run this spring. "Same vision, just guys in the locker room are a little bit different," he noted. "We're going to have to adjust, but we'll be fine."
Interestingly, during a recent press interaction, Irving was not asked about Tuesday's game where Dallas narrowly missed an opportunity to tie or win in the final seconds. Instead, discussions revolved around his past links with Davis and the broader implications of Doncic's trade.
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