Dallas Mavericks are ready to enter the season with their superstar duo. They retain their last season’s late acquisition of Kyrie Irving with a $126 million contract. Although the duo has been scrutinized by fans lately, they have not played a complete season together. Kyrie was added to the Mavs roster near the trade deadline, giving the duo enough room for synergies. In the 16 games Luka Doncic and Kyrie played together, they had a horrendous record of 5-11. But in the duo’s defense, Dallas had decided to revoke their chances of contention to spike their chances in the 2023 Drafts.
In the recent season, the Mavs squad seemed to struggle as soon as Luka had to take on the bench. Kyrie’s addition to the squad efficiently fills that void for Dallas. However, despite a tremendous average of 32.4 points on 49.6% shooting last season, the Mavs have an odd request for the Slovenian star.
Dallas wants Luka Doncic to lose weight
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According to The Athletic?s Tim Cato, Dallas wants Luka to lose weight before entering the 2023-24 season. Doncic stood at 260 pounds post his Olympic stint, which was greater than his preferred weight of 230 pounds. Luka’s weight gain can be seen ever since his NBA days began. On a positive note, Luka won’t have to alter his game much since he was a speedy youngster once who wreaked havoc on opponents more experienced than him.
Doncic’s style of play is unique, as he does not rely heavily on athleticism or speed to surpass defenders. Nevertheless, his offensive approach poses a considerable challenge for opponents. However, ample evidence suggests that his struggles in half-court defensive sets stem from issues related to his conditioning. While his offensive skills are undeniable, shedding weight will undoubtedly enhance the young superstar’s availability in various defensive aspects on the court.
Jamal Crawford has high hopes for the Luka-Kyrie duo
Jamal Crawford, the all-time four-point play leader, believes that Luka Doncic and Irving will constitute tremendous success. With Dallas’s showcase of belief by signing Kyrie Irving as soon as possible, Crawford thinks their move will pay off.
Mavs' Luka Doncic is 'Special' And a Musician on The Court, Says Jamal Crawford:
"On the court, Luka is special. He is a musician, and he and Kyrie [Irving] will be better this year," Says @jcrossover.
"Now that they have that chemistry of working… pic.twitter.com/Et3rzM2GkP
— Landon Buford (@LandonBuford) July 21, 2023
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The duo has displayed their ability to orchestrate the court when playing together. Not only can they handle their ground, but they also have the mentality to switch it up during peak times. However, their defensive shortcomings have been a challenge for the team. Even though Mavericks requested Luka regarding his fitness, the organization boarded players like Grant Williams and Dereck Lively II.
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Basketball fans eagerly anticipate the new NBA season, hoping to witness the duo’s brilliance. They surely expect to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.
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