Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving duo receives praise from several NBA stars / News - Basketnews.com

Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum and Phoenix Suns latest signing Kevin Durant were among the NBA stars that had high praise for the Dallas Mavericks' new duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

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Since the day Kyrie Irving joined Luka Doncic at the Dallas Mavericks, the franchise suddenly became the favorite to win it all. However, the two have only played two games together thus far.

2-pointers this season

58%24,6Points made:24,6Accuracy:57,5%Place in standings:30Record max:37Record min:12Most made 2FGs:Luka DoncicTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

And although the Mavs are 0-2 in those games, Jayson Tatum and several more NBA stars believe it would be scary if they were to face the Mavericks team that now has two of the NBA’s best scorers playing in its backcourt.

Tatum talked about it at the 2023 All-Star media day in Utah last night.

"It's gonna be scary, you know, two of the best scorers in the game on one team and at the backcourt position,' the Boston Celtics star player said.

"It’s gonna be tough. We already played Dallas twice, so unless we see them in the championship, you know, we ain't gonna see it until next year."

Tatum and Irving were Celtics’ teammates from 2017-19. But it just didn't work out, and Irving signed as a free agent with the Brooklyn Nets on July 7, 2019.

The marriage with the Nets, which included Irving teaming up with Kevin Durant and James Harden, dissolved when he was traded to the Mavs on Feb. 6.

Durant, who was traded to the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 16, referenced the way Doncic and Irving performed in the Mavs'124-121 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Feb. 13 as to why teams in the Western Conference should be concerned about playing Dallas. That's the game where Irving collected 36 points, five rebounds, and six assists, and Doncic added 33 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.

"They’re going to be incredible," Durant said. "You’ve seen it already. They lost (to the Timberwolves), but they were down 26, and in the fourth quarter they both came out there (and showed out).

Dallas Mavericks / Schedule

Dallas Mavericks Minnesota Timberwolves121-124 Denver Nuggets Dallas Mavericks118-109 Dallas Mavericks San Antonio SpursFri01:30

Kyrie had 26 in the fourth and Luka was hitting some shots, so it's going to be like that. (They’re) tough to guard."

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton acknowledged that Mavs' fans should be excited that the franchise delivered Irving as Doncic’s backcourt mate.

"Obviously those are two of the toughest one-on-one covers in the league, and those two together present something very interesting and it’ll be tough for people to figure it out," Haliburton said.

"What's underrated about those two is that they both can play off the ball. Kyrie has done it before. Luka hasn't had to do it yet, but he’s one of the highest IQ guys in the league, so he'll figure it out."

Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan first described a Doncic/Irving backcourt as "dangerous." Then he added that they're worth the price of admission.

"As a fan it's exciting," DeRozan said. "Some of them are looking forward to just watching as a fan.But being a part of it, it gets your competitive juices kind of going."

The Knicks' Julius Randle believes the Doncic/Irving star-studded backcourt is destined for stardom.

"I think it’ll work out great, personally," Randle said. "Those two guys are skilled basketball players, high IQ, smart basketball players."

Randle also said if he and LeBron James were ever All-Star game captains at the same time, he would choose Doncic first over any other player in the league.

"He's my favorite player to watch," Randle said. "Just how he plays, man, skilled. You can't speed him up. He's great."

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