Kyrie Irving seriously considered joining Lakers
Kyrie Irving had just routed the LA Clippers by 30 points. His Dallas Mavericks were one win away from the Western Conference semifinals. But the question made him momentarily ponder an alternate reality. Did he seriously consider reuniting with LeBron James in this very building last season? “Everything was considered,” Irving told FOX Sports after Game 5 on Wednesday in Los Angeles, flashing a smile. James is currently watching the playoffs from his couch after his Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in their first-round playoff series Monday. Surely, he could have used Irving’s help. “He’s a great friend of mine, a great brother of mine,” Irving told FOX Sports. “We obviously played together [in Cleveland]. Everybody knows our history. But there were so many different factors in between. When it comes to business decisions, you have to ask the GMs, the presidents why certain things didn’t work out.”
Source: FoxSports.com
Source: FoxSports.com
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Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Exclusive: Kyrie Irving made it clear he’s very happy in Dallas. But when asked about reuniting with LeBron James last season, he didn’t hold back.
“It’s hard to think of the what-ifs, the allure, the thoughts of it. Yeah, it was fun to think about it.”
foxsports.com/stories/nba/ky… – 2:43 PM
Exclusive: Kyrie Irving made it clear he’s very happy in Dallas. But when asked about reuniting with LeBron James last season, he didn’t hold back.
“It’s hard to think of the what-ifs, the allure, the thoughts of it. Yeah, it was fun to think about it.”
foxsports.com/stories/nba/ky… – 2:43 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Exclusive: Kyrie Irving made it clear he’s very happy in Dallas. But when asked about the potential of reuniting with LeBron James last season, he didn’t hold back.
“It’s hard to think of the what-ifs, the allure, the thoughts of it. Yeah, it was fun to think about it.”… – 2:38 PM
Exclusive: Kyrie Irving made it clear he’s very happy in Dallas. But when asked about the potential of reuniting with LeBron James last season, he didn’t hold back.
“It’s hard to think of the what-ifs, the allure, the thoughts of it. Yeah, it was fun to think about it.”… – 2:38 PM
Mark Followill @MFollowill
Mavs player rankings of note in the playoffs:
Luka – 30.2 ppg (5th) & 8.8 apg (T-4th)
Kyrie – 18.4 2nd half ppg (2nd), 4.6 fast break PPG (5th),
& 1.8 stls/gm (T-5th)
Maxi – 3pt%, 60% (T-1st)
Jones Jr – 1.8 blks/gm (T-3rd)
PJ – 2.8 stls + blks/gm (6th)
Lively – 14 Dunks (1st) – 1:01 PM
Mavs player rankings of note in the playoffs:
Luka – 30.2 ppg (5th) & 8.8 apg (T-4th)
Kyrie – 18.4 2nd half ppg (2nd), 4.6 fast break PPG (5th),
& 1.8 stls/gm (T-5th)
Maxi – 3pt%, 60% (T-1st)
Jones Jr – 1.8 blks/gm (T-3rd)
PJ – 2.8 stls + blks/gm (6th)
Lively – 14 Dunks (1st) – 1:01 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
The Mavs are on the brink of reaching the second round of the playoffs. So are the Stars. In the immortal words of Austin Powers, can we get a little crossed-mojonation going? One hot team can feed off the other. The vibe can transfuse, to use one of Kyrie Irving’s fave terms. – 12:28 PM
The Mavs are on the brink of reaching the second round of the playoffs. So are the Stars. In the immortal words of Austin Powers, can we get a little crossed-mojonation going? One hot team can feed off the other. The vibe can transfuse, to use one of Kyrie Irving’s fave terms. – 12:28 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Exclusive for @FOXSports: I spoke with Kyrie Irving about how seriously he considered reuniting with LeBron James
foxsports.com/stories/nba/ky… – 12:27 PM
Exclusive for @FOXSports: I spoke with Kyrie Irving about how seriously he considered reuniting with LeBron James
foxsports.com/stories/nba/ky… – 12:27 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Fun fact: Tonight is Kyrie’s first Game 6 since the 2016 Finals. pic.twitter.com/IKHhyNZfix – 11:58 AM
Fun fact: Tonight is Kyrie’s first Game 6 since the 2016 Finals. pic.twitter.com/IKHhyNZfix – 11:58 AM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
Jason Kidd’s decision to draw up a play for Kyrie Irving on the first possession of Game 5 set an intentional tone.
“I think it sends a very direct message, not only to my teammates and me, but to the other team that we see a mismatch out there.”dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 5:58 PM
Jason Kidd’s decision to draw up a play for Kyrie Irving on the first possession of Game 5 set an intentional tone.
“I think it sends a very direct message, not only to my teammates and me, but to the other team that we see a mismatch out there.”dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 5:58 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
From @MikeACurtis2:
Earlier impacts from Kyrie Irving have Dallas Mavericks on doorstep of second round dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 5:56 PM
From @MikeACurtis2:
Earlier impacts from Kyrie Irving have Dallas Mavericks on doorstep of second round dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 5:56 PM
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
I was not about to let the day go by without acknowledging the outstanding LEADER that @KyrieIrving has been for the @dallasmavs this Postseason!!! Carry on… pic.twitter.com/s7jXw4zRQd – 5:10 PM
I was not about to let the day go by without acknowledging the outstanding LEADER that @KyrieIrving has been for the @dallasmavs this Postseason!!! Carry on… pic.twitter.com/s7jXw4zRQd – 5:10 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Kyrie Irving this playoffs:
1st half — 2nd half —
7.4 PPG 18.4 PPG
39.4 FG% 55.9 FG%
30.8 3P% 48.1 3P%
Closer. statmuse.com/nba/player/kyr… – 12:59 PM
Kyrie Irving this playoffs:
1st half — 2nd half —
7.4 PPG 18.4 PPG
39.4 FG% 55.9 FG%
30.8 3P% 48.1 3P%
Closer. statmuse.com/nba/player/kyr… – 12:59 PM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
Kyrie Irving talked about his full-speed, coast-to-coast play that included a quick crossover into a behind-the-back dribble before finishing with his off-hand.
“Some of the moves just come out of the creative air.” pic.twitter.com/Iol3AMRuTF pic.twitter.com/KfmluBFC42 – 11:02 AM
Kyrie Irving talked about his full-speed, coast-to-coast play that included a quick crossover into a behind-the-back dribble before finishing with his off-hand.
“Some of the moves just come out of the creative air.” pic.twitter.com/Iol3AMRuTF pic.twitter.com/KfmluBFC42 – 11:02 AM
Anthony Puccio @APOOCH
Random thought. Nets have had three superstar point guards in the past 20 years: Jason Kidd, Deron Williams, and Kyrie Irving.
All three went to Dallas after their time with the Nets. All three made the playoffs, too. – 9:57 AM
Random thought. Nets have had three superstar point guards in the past 20 years: Jason Kidd, Deron Williams, and Kyrie Irving.
All three went to Dallas after their time with the Nets. All three made the playoffs, too. – 9:57 AM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Irving spoke about how meaningful it is that Doncic plays sick and hurt and does it so well. pic.twitter.com/kOIV1eiNo6 – 3:04 AM
Irving spoke about how meaningful it is that Doncic plays sick and hurt and does it so well. pic.twitter.com/kOIV1eiNo6 – 3:04 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Neither Paul George nor James Harden attempted a midrange FG (non-paint 2) in Game 5 vs Mavericks
Luka/Kyrie combined to make 3/6 midrange FGs – 1:40 AM
Neither Paul George nor James Harden attempted a midrange FG (non-paint 2) in Game 5 vs Mavericks
Luka/Kyrie combined to make 3/6 midrange FGs – 1:40 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
3-point shooting tonight in Game 5
Luka/Kyrie: 3/15
Their teammates: 11/24
PG/Harden: 3/13
Their teammates: 6/22 – 1:39 AM
3-point shooting tonight in Game 5
Luka/Kyrie: 3/15
Their teammates: 11/24
PG/Harden: 3/13
Their teammates: 6/22 – 1:39 AM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Paul George finds a little offensive rhythm going late but Clippers enter fourth down 89-69 despite just 9 points from Kyrie Irving. Kleber and Jones combining for 27 points has been a backbreaker for Clips. Luka Doncic with 29-8-7 entering fourth. – 11:54 PM
Paul George finds a little offensive rhythm going late but Clippers enter fourth down 89-69 despite just 9 points from Kyrie Irving. Kleber and Jones combining for 27 points has been a backbreaker for Clips. Luka Doncic with 29-8-7 entering fourth. – 11:54 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
17-2 Mavericks run
73-50 Mavericks lead
And Mavericks have made only 6 3s for the game, 0/10 from Doncic/Irving, and they’re leading like this.
George/Harden have 14 points on 4/18 FGs.
4:44 left in 3rd quarter. A 5:45 LAC field goal drought, 4:04 LAC scoring drought. – 11:43 PM
17-2 Mavericks run
73-50 Mavericks lead
And Mavericks have made only 6 3s for the game, 0/10 from Doncic/Irving, and they’re leading like this.
George/Harden have 14 points on 4/18 FGs.
4:44 left in 3rd quarter. A 5:45 LAC field goal drought, 4:04 LAC scoring drought. – 11:43 PM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
What a sequence. Kyrie passed the ball to Luka, but it look like Westbrook hip-checked Doncic. No call. Irving got the ball back and passed to a cutting Jones for an and-1 dunk. – 11:41 PM
What a sequence. Kyrie passed the ball to Luka, but it look like Westbrook hip-checked Doncic. No call. Irving got the ball back and passed to a cutting Jones for an and-1 dunk. – 11:41 PM
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
The leadership from Kyrie is has been a beautiful thing to see! Just watched him yell out a defensive coverage when he wasn’t even involved in the play – 11:40 PM
The leadership from Kyrie is has been a beautiful thing to see! Just watched him yell out a defensive coverage when he wasn’t even involved in the play – 11:40 PM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
Irving was quite animated after that last layup. He’s going to the line for a 3-point play. – 11:30 PM
Irving was quite animated after that last layup. He’s going to the line for a 3-point play. – 11:30 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Mavericks are taking the 3s away from LA
3 makes is awful but 15 attempts isn’t enough anyway.
How they go about creating better looks is LA’s challenge.
Luka, Kyrie, PG, Harden all can be more efficient. But Luka has as many FG attempts as PG and Harden combined. – 11:21 PM
Mavericks are taking the 3s away from LA
3 makes is awful but 15 attempts isn’t enough anyway.
How they go about creating better looks is LA’s challenge.
Luka, Kyrie, PG, Harden all can be more efficient. But Luka has as many FG attempts as PG and Harden combined. – 11:21 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Clippers down 10 at half at home in a game where Luka and Kyrie have 21 points on 22 shots and are 0/8 from 3
Kleber missed the whole basket on one of his 3s but he’s 4/6 overall, while everyone else on both teams is 4/30. – 11:11 PM
Clippers down 10 at half at home in a game where Luka and Kyrie have 21 points on 22 shots and are 0/8 from 3
Kleber missed the whole basket on one of his 3s but he’s 4/6 overall, while everyone else on both teams is 4/30. – 11:11 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Kyrie lob from half court 🤯
(via @BallySportsSW)
pic.twitter.com/FDMpfUIvcN – 11:08 PM
Kyrie lob from half court 🤯
(via @BallySportsSW)
pic.twitter.com/FDMpfUIvcN – 11:08 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Risky Mavericks lineup:
Doncic, Irving OFF
Green, Kleber, Jones, Washington, Gafford
And… Clippers in bonus last 3:04 of 1st half – 10:56 PM
Risky Mavericks lineup:
Doncic, Irving OFF
Green, Kleber, Jones, Washington, Gafford
And… Clippers in bonus last 3:04 of 1st half – 10:56 PM
Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
Kyrie Irving is in the home Playoff pack ANTA KAI 1s tonight pic.twitter.com/TB0cjpe3QA – 10:56 PM
Kyrie Irving is in the home Playoff pack ANTA KAI 1s tonight pic.twitter.com/TB0cjpe3QA – 10:56 PM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
End of the 1st quarter: #Mavs 25, #Clippers 24.
Doncic: 8 pts, 4 rebs, 3 asts
Jones: 7 pts, 1 reb, 2 blks
Lively: 4 pts, 5 rebs
Irving: 4 pts, 3 asts – 10:32 PM
End of the 1st quarter: #Mavs 25, #Clippers 24.
Doncic: 8 pts, 4 rebs, 3 asts
Jones: 7 pts, 1 reb, 2 blks
Lively: 4 pts, 5 rebs
Irving: 4 pts, 3 asts – 10:32 PM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
Mavs lead 14-13 with 6:58 left in the first quarter. Irving and Doncic both have four points and have combined for 4-5 shooting. – 10:17 PM
Mavs lead 14-13 with 6:58 left in the first quarter. Irving and Doncic both have four points and have combined for 4-5 shooting. – 10:17 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Early basket for Irving, unlike most of the rest of the series, including Game 4, when he didn’t score until the second quarter. – 10:09 PM
Early basket for Irving, unlike most of the rest of the series, including Game 4, when he didn’t score until the second quarter. – 10:09 PM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
STARTERS 5/1
LAC
Amir Coffey
Paul George
Ivica Zubac
Terance Mann
James Harden
DAL
Derrick Jones Jr.
P.J. Washington
Daniel Gafford
Kyrie Irving
Luka Doncic – 9:38 PM
STARTERS 5/1
LAC
Amir Coffey
Paul George
Ivica Zubac
Terance Mann
James Harden
DAL
Derrick Jones Jr.
P.J. Washington
Daniel Gafford
Kyrie Irving
Luka Doncic – 9:38 PM
Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Mavs starters: Jones, Washington, Gafford, Irving, Doncic
LAC starters: Coffey, George, Zubac, Mann, Harden
9:08 tip @LoneStar925 – 9:35 PM
Mavs starters: Jones, Washington, Gafford, Irving, Doncic
LAC starters: Coffey, George, Zubac, Mann, Harden
9:08 tip @LoneStar925 – 9:35 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Starting lineups for Game 5
Mavericks: Doncic, Irving, Jones, Washington, Gafford
LAC: Harden, Mann, Coffey, George, Zubac – 9:31 PM
Starting lineups for Game 5
Mavericks: Doncic, Irving, Jones, Washington, Gafford
LAC: Harden, Mann, Coffey, George, Zubac – 9:31 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Kyrie Irving vs Clippers by quarter this postseason
1: 6 points, 1/12 FGs, 4:5 AST-TO, 38 min
2: 25 points, 9/14 FGs, 7:3 AST-TO, 41 min
3: 46 points, 18/26 FGs, 4:3 AST-TO, 41 min
4: 38 points, 12/26 FGs, 3:2 AST-TO, 41 min
One is not like other. Asked T Lue, J Kidd about it… pic.twitter.com/LGWsuA8iqz – 9:09 PM
Kyrie Irving vs Clippers by quarter this postseason
1: 6 points, 1/12 FGs, 4:5 AST-TO, 38 min
2: 25 points, 9/14 FGs, 7:3 AST-TO, 41 min
3: 46 points, 18/26 FGs, 4:3 AST-TO, 41 min
4: 38 points, 12/26 FGs, 3:2 AST-TO, 41 min
One is not like other. Asked T Lue, J Kidd about it… pic.twitter.com/LGWsuA8iqz – 9:09 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Kyrie made 14 shots in Game 4
His first didn’t come until Clippers were up 31
His last gave the Mavericks the lead, completing a 32-point turnaround
So outside of Kyrie’s “bucket window” the Clippers outscored the Mavericks by 37 points – 3:57 PM
Kyrie made 14 shots in Game 4
His first didn’t come until Clippers were up 31
His last gave the Mavericks the lead, completing a 32-point turnaround
So outside of Kyrie’s “bucket window” the Clippers outscored the Mavericks by 37 points – 3:57 PM
More on this storyline
But when Irving was traded to the Mavericks, he wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity. Irving was tantalized by Luka Dončić, whom he had long admired but hardly knew, a dynamically opposed reality than he would’ve had if he had joined the Lakers and slid back into his well-established rapport with James. “Initially, I knew that [me and Luka] were going to have some growing pains,” Irving told FOX Sports. “But I just came with the best intentions. It was the first time for me getting traded midseason and having to pick my family up, transition. But I’ve alway respected Luka. “We had different times that we got a chance to talk at All-Star weekend. He was a younger player, so I knew of him. But I also knew he was a killer on the court. And I knew what I could expect when we were both healthy. I went in with a great belief that this could really work.” -via FoxSports.com / May 3, 2024
The day after James made that comment, Irving was dealt to the Mavericks in a blockbuster deal, a situation that’s seemingly working out for the 32-year-old guard this season, but not so much for the 39-year-old face of the league, who has been unable to claw his way back to the Finals in four years. “I know I can speak for myself that I’m grateful someone took a chance on me,” Irving told FOX Sports. “Dallas welcomed me with open arms. For me, it wasn’t time to think about the ‘what ifs.’ It was time for me to put my best foot forward. That’s what I did. It’s hard to think of the ‘what ifs,’ the allure, the thoughts of it.” -via FoxSports.com / May 3, 2024
ClutchPoints: “Defense is a part of the game of basketball. If you study the game enough, you understand that some of the greatest players in history have done it on both ends of the floor. I’m just trying to get my name up with those guys.” Kyrie Irving on his defense on James Harden in Game 5. (via @TomerAzarly )pic.twitter.com/DNudxHYRcQ -via Twitter @ClutchPointsApp / May 2, 2024