Kyrie Irving’s Comments on Luka Dončić Highlight Newfound Mindset of Mavericks Guard

Kyrie Irving appears to have turned over a new leaf and opened up on his new mindset.

The Kyrie Irving that fans have witnessed with the Dallas Mavericks has proven to be the same incredible basketball talent fans know and love, but he’s also shown the ability to change and adapt. Irving has grown dramatically in terms of his approach both on and off the court, something the 31-year-old guard made apparent through his recent comments about teammate Luka Dončić.

Irving has unquestionably been a go-to player for the Mavericks in many key moments during the 2023-24 season. But his willingness to acknowledge the impact Dončić makes and his ability to lead alongside him shows an immense amount of personal growth.

“I think what you saw last year was us having the utmost respect for each other and not trying to step on each other’s toes,” Irving told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.

“[Dončić] has created a legacy here already, and I’m the new guy coming into Dallas. … There’s a synchronicity that people have felt for the last six years with him and built that camaraderie with him. So I just wanted to add onto that.”

Kyrie Irving Addresses the Need to ‘Take Accountability’

Irving’s tenure with the Brooklyn Nets feels like the polar opposite of what fans have witnessed since he joined the Mavericks. Irving’s four-year stint in Brooklyn felt tumultuous, but from the guard’s recent comments, he is proving to be a player willing and able to confront problems head-on. But most importantly, Irving appears to have turned over a new leaf as both a player and leader.

“I had to be mature enough to say I got to take accountability for my own actions,” Irving told ESPN. “I got to really walk and be the example that I want to see in the world. And that’s just being a good person to a lot of people, and not being so hard to reach and not be so isolated to where people can misjudge that as whatever it is. Like, ‘Oh, he doesn’t talk, or he is not really close with anybody. I don’t really know him that well.’ So I feel like a lot of people misjudged me. ...

“Dallas gave me a chance to just focus on the main thing, which is being the best basketball player when I stepped foot here, and then off the court still support me.”

While Irving is saying everything you’d expect to hear from a veteran leader embracing his role, this isn’t something new when looking at his time in Dallas.

The way Irving has been publicly, during games and while speaking with the media, has a different vibe and energy. He’s open, talkative, and willing to discuss a broad range of topics. Irving has continuously shown in virtually every way that he has a different energy and mindset with the Mavericks.

This isn’t the same Irving from his tenure with the Nets, not even close.

Kyrie Irving has taken on a leadership role on and off the court for the Mavericks / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

But the rapport Irving has shown with Dončić, a player who’s emerged as one of the faces of the NBA at the age of 24, deserves a specific tip of the cap. This Irving is showing he can back up the things he’s saying through his actions, which can be hard in any facet of life.

The version of Irving that inked a three-year, $120 million deal this past offseason with the Mavericks is quickly proving to be arguably the most well-rounded and impressive version of him that we’ve seen. And while Irving continues to adapt to playing alongside Dončić, he’s remains one of the league’s most lethal offensive talents, averaging 25.3 points, 5.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 47.3% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc.

The arrow is pointing up for the Mavericks, and if it keeps trending in this direction, a balanced group led by Dončić and Irving will be a tough out for any team when the playoffs roll around.