After the Kyrie Irving trade, not even the Mavericks' harshest critics predicted a complete collapse.
After the Kyrie Irving trade, not even the Mavericks' harshest critics predicted a complete collapse.
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After all, they acquired Kyrie Irving in a trade, one of the best ball-handlers in NBA history and a player who had primarily off-court issues.
After all, they acquired Kyrie Irving in a trade, one of the best ball-handlers in NBA history and a player who had primarily off-court issues.
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It was their most recent effort to find Doni a long-term co-star after Porzingis proved to be too brittle and Jalen Brunson to be too expensive.
It was their most recent effort to find Doni a long-term co-star after Porzingis proved to be too brittle and Jalen Brunson to be too expensive.
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Irving met his obligations, based on the fundamental numbers. In Mavericks gear, he shot 51% from the floor and 39.2% from beyond the arc for averages of 27.0 points, 6.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds
Irving met his obligations, based on the fundamental numbers. In Mavericks gear, he shot 51% from the floor and 39.2% from beyond the arc for averages of 27.0 points, 6.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds
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When he was on the court, Dallas had a 121.4 offensive rating, which is higher than any NBA player who is not named Nikola Jokic or who does not have a teammate named Nikola Jokic.
When he was on the court, Dallas had a 121.4 offensive rating, which is higher than any NBA player who is not named Nikola Jokic or who does not have a teammate named Nikola Jokic.
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The one area where the trade actively hurt the Mavericks rather than helping them was defence. Dallas sent away Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith in order to acquire Irving, a player who has never been known for his defence.
The one area where the trade actively hurt the Mavericks rather than helping them was defence. Dallas sent away Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith in order to acquire Irving, a player who has never been known for his defence.
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The latter player was a crucial part of the Mavericks' defence and a solid wing for a team that didn't have many solid wings.
The latter player was a crucial part of the Mavericks' defence and a solid wing for a team that didn't have many solid wings.
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The Mavericks' defensive rating from Irving's first game in Dallas was 118.3, fifth-worst in the NBA. The Mavericks have one of the best offences in NBA history when they are at their best
The Mavericks' defensive rating from Irving's first game in Dallas was 118.3, fifth-worst in the NBA. The Mavericks have one of the best offences in NBA history when they are at their best
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but the addition of Irving and removal of Finney-Smith put pressure on a defence that was already overloaded with seasoned players.
but the addition of Irving and removal of Finney-Smith put pressure on a defence that was already overloaded with seasoned players.
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Irving and Doni may have also experienced a variation of the Los Angeles Lakers' Russell Westbrook problem, where a ball-dominant player simply wasn't valuable and
Irving and Doni may have also experienced a variation of the Los Angeles Lakers' Russell Westbrook problem, where a ball-dominant player simply wasn't valuable and
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enough off the ball to justify the resources invested in pairing him with a seasoned superstar, despite Irving being much more effective than Westbrook.
enough off the ball to justify the resources invested in pairing him with a seasoned superstar, despite Irving being much more effective than Westbrook.