Can Kyrie Irving carry the Dallas Mavericks by himself now? That question has been on the minds of several NBA fans over the last couple of days. The responsibility of solely taking charge of the team had fallen on the point guard right from Christmas Day, when Luka Doncic was sidelined due to a calf injury. Then, the Slovenian was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. With Davis getting injured and sidelined indefinitely after his Mavs debut, the pressure has become a roller coaster ride for Irving. However, if anyone can carry the team well, it is him. After all, not everyone gets praise from Victor Wembanyama over their individual prowess.

The French star was recently asked a series of questions as part of ‘NBA on TNT’s segment. From naming LeBron James as his pick of an ‘underrated player’ to naming Kenny Smith as the fastest amongst the ‘Inside the NBA’ crew, Wemby had some unique answers to give out. However, the one that would have caught the most attention was his response to the last question. After all, when asked which player has got the deepest bag in the league, Wemby replied “Il go Kyrie”. It seems that game recognizes game!

The term ‘deepest bag’ is often used in the context of the Mavs star. Even Donovan Mitchell agreed with this viewpoint, once stating how Irving is the hardest to guard. “I don’t even think there’s structure to what he do,” said Mitchell.

On the shooting front, the player has continued showing signs of exceptionalism. Back in November 2024, Irving became the first guard, in 20 years, to average 25 points per game on 55% three-point shooting in his season’s first 10 games. Ray Allen had achieved the same feat, but back in 2004.

Irving’s current average score for the season stands at 24.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. This speaks well towards his scoring potential. On top of that, the player is known to be an exceptional ball-handler. He wins over both teammates and rivals with his dribbling skills which include crossovers, behind-the-back moves, and hesitation dribbles. This reportedly allows him to create space and navigate through defenses. Furthermore, who can forget the 9x NBA All-Star’s prowess during clutch time? Who can erase the memory of the shot that sealed the win for the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals? If that isn’t enough, then Irving’s ability to often finish at the rim, even against larger defenders, speaks well for him. Whether he will use a variety of layup techniques, or floaters, he will make his mark.

Luka Doncic’s month-long absence and subsequent trade, followed by Anthony Davis’s injury, placed the Dallas Mavericks in a deep problem. The team currently holds the 8 spot on the Western Conference Points chart. Despite this, the situation may worsen for them in the long run. An effort can be made to rebuild the team around Kyrie Irving for the next season. If anyone can help return the Mavs to a high standing, it is him. Victor Wembanyama indirectly attested to this. The French player may hold some merit in his argument. After all, his first NBA humiliation would have convinced him to keep a close tab on the Mavericks and learn more about the players.

Victor Wembanyama revealed receiving his ‘Welcome to the NBA’ moment from Luka Doncic

During the same Q&A session held by ‘NBA on TNT’, Wemby was asked about his ‘Welcome to the NBA’ moment. After all, no matter how good a player is, everyone has had that game, or a moment in that game, when they were obliterated by the opposition. Victor Wembanyama was candid in his response, as he said “I mean, my very first game, you know, playing against Luka. On that day, I saw a level of basketball that I had never seen before.”

Wembanyama’s first game against Luka Doncic also happened to be his first-ever NBA regular season game. He did not score much during the game’s first three-quarters. However, Wemby came alive in the 4th by scoring 9 of his 15 points. Unfortunately, his performance was nothing in comparison to the Slovenian’s 33 points, 13 rebounds, and 14 assists. Dončić drained multiple big shots late and missed on three-pointers. However, he did post a triple-double, which helped the Mavs squad win by a 126-119 score.

To incur a loss by a 16-point gap right in his debut would not have made Wemby feel good. Now, it is up to Kyrie Irving to ensure the Mavs’ 3-game win record against the San Antonio Spurs builds on. Whether he can succeed in stepping up and taking Luka Doncic’s place is something that remains to be seen.