NBA showcases in different countries are relatively common. Establishing the league’s foothold around the globe while maintaining the image of its superstars. This time around, days before the regular season, the League heads towards the Middle East.
This is the second outing for the league in the UAE. Fans are expecting the full scope of the action. More recently, the Dallas Mavericks head coach has promised the eager enthusiasts an encounter with their star duo. A face-off with Anthony Edwards Timberwolves is also in the cards.
Mav’s head coach promises Luka and Kyrie duo in the UAE
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The Dallas Maverick’s head coach, Jason Kidd, has assured basketball fans in the UAE that they will see his team’s star duo. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving will play together on the court during the upcoming NBA Abu Dhabi Games next week. The NBA is making its return to the capital city for the second consecutive season, thanks to its multi-year agreement with the Department of Culture and Tourism ? Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). The Mavericks clash against the Minnesota Timberwolves will be at Yas Island’s Etihad Arena.
During the summer, the Mavericks extended Kyrie Irving’s contract for three more years. Creating high hopes for the eight-time All-Star point guard and his on-court collaboration with Luka Doncic. However, among many fans, the duo’s abysmal performance last season is cause for concern. Dallas finished 11th in the West, even missing the play-in tournament. Head Coach Kidd addressed these concerns subsequently.
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Jason Kidd has High Hopes for the Mavericks this Season
Although the star duo didn’t have sufficient time to develop their on-court chemistry last season. Coach Kidd is optimistic that things will change this season. He believes that fans in Abu Dhabi will witness an early preview of what the Dallas team has in store for the upcoming season. ?We didn?t, as a team, finish the way we wanted to [last season]?, Kidd said in the interview. He further asserted, “But this being a new season and being able to start in Abu Dhabi, when you see them [Irving and Doncic] play on the floor that they do co-exist and that we?re going to play at a high level and we?re excited. Being able to have training camp, to have a full year together, their relationship is only going to get stronger”.
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At the cusp of the regular season, the anticipation of the fans rises. After a nine-month hiatus hoops community is eager to see what the changes in the offseason have amounted to four teams in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, only three weeks left for the Mav’s first encounter, what are your predictions? Will they make the Playoffs this season?
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