When the Dallas Mavericks acquired star guard Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets a few weeks ago, plenty of people felt that had just made themselves into a legitimate contender for the NBA championship.
But some others sounded the alarm and pointed out the deficiencies they still have.
One of those pundits is TNT’s Charles Barkley, who pointed out the fact that neither star plays much defense and both need the ball in their hands to be productive.
Chuck: “[Luka and Kyrie] don’t play defense. They don’t rebound the ball. … They’re both great one-on-one basketball players, and that’s the problem.” pic.twitter.com/igmNkMNN3G
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 3, 2023
On paper, Irving and Doncic may seem like a dream pairing, as they’re both not only incredible one-on-one offensive players, but they’re also very good shot creators for their teammates, not to mention two of the deadliest players in crunch time.
But sometimes fit is more important than talent, especially when it comes to role players and complementary players, and Dallas seems to lack such contributors.
It traded away Dorian Finney-Smith, one of its best defenders, as well as guard Spencer Dinwiddie and three draft picks to get Irving, and it doesn’t have enough players who are able and willing to do the dirty work, including playing high-level defense.
In five games with both Irving and Doncic in the lineups, the Mavs are just 1-4.
Particularly galling was their collapse against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday in which they surrendered a 27-point lead at home.
Dallas has fallen to seventh place in the Western Conference, which would put them in the play-in tournament if the season ended today, and they face the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday and Kevin Durant’s Phoenix Suns on Sunday, which means they could fall further.
NEXT: Skip Bayless Says He Has A Strong Feeling About Something With Luka Doncic
