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The combination of these two players has been exceptional. I have never agreed with the criticism that having talented duos limits success, especially when both players possess strong skills in shooting, dribbling, and passing, with one being significantly better than the other. Irving recognizes this and has adapted his game without compromising any significant aspect.

The change has transformed Dallas into a dominant team when Doncic and Irving are on the court together. As a pair, their net rating since the trade deadline is +11.9, ranking third out of 42 combinations that have played at least 600 minutes. This is due to their ingenuity, technical prowess, and intentional flair. Together, as described by Beyoncé, they are as cold as the water in Titanic.

After defeating the Knicks and achieving 39 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds, and four steals, Doncic seemed satisfied with his team’s recent acquisitions as he stated, “We have increased our team’s size. Finally, after three years of hoping, we have a backup center. I believe both players will greatly benefit our team.”

The team possesses various pieces, responses, and a calculated flexibility that was not present in October. Most opponents can be countered with a roster that, at minimum, matches any opposing team’s top offering. It all revolves around Luka Doncic, the inventive and versatile 25-year-old who has distinguished himself from all other NBA players aside from Nikola Jokic in his sixth season. (Note from the author: This statement is based on personal interpretation but it is still valid.)

Across the entire league, his average points per game is second highest (33.8), he ranks third in assists (9.8), and he also manages to grab a significant number of rebounds (9.2). In addition, his impressive 76 percent shooting at the rim and remarkable success rate of almost 40 percent on his six attempted stepback 3-pointers per game are noteworthy. Such consistent and efficient numbers, paired with the level of difficulty in his shots, seem almost unreal.

In recent years, I have struggled to come to terms with two conflicting truths about the Mavericks. On one hand, I have unwavering faith in Doncic and firmly believe that he is too exceptional to not eventually win a championship. On the other hand, I am skeptical of any team that allows their star player’s impatience to guide their decisions. While the Mavs have been consistently aggressive during Luka’s time with them, the constant chaotic changes have made it difficult to accurately predict their potential success.

Similar to how language is incapable of fully explaining the captivating quality of the Mona Lisa, statistics fail to truly capture Doncic’s unbreakable spirit and the intimidation he instills in defenders through his relentless use of high pick-and-roll plays. He effortlessly breaks down every defensive strategy, including blitzes, switches, and drops. As a skilled playmaker, he possesses the ideal combination of size, strength, and unpredictable movement to execute passes and shots that even Jokic would think twice about attempting.

Irving has become extremely skilled at performing various dribble moves, to the extent that it could be considered its own language. However, he has not relied too heavily on his personal abilities, as it could negatively impact the success of his team, especially with teammate Luka being a standout player. This adjustment in his playing style is not due to his age, but rather the current circumstances.

Luka Doncic is currently excelling, as is his team’s supporting players. It will be a challenge for any opposing team to contain them during a playoff series.

Jason Kidd heavily involves both Irving and Doncic in the game, but they do not rely on a constant exchange of possession or have one player dominating while the other takes a break. Instead, they thrive in a dynamic and diverse system that caters to everyone’s strengths. Quick plays and passes also play a significant role in their success. By moving at a faster pace, they are able to exploit the defense and create good scoring opportunities. This is evident in Dallas’s high frequency of transitioning off of a defensive rebound, which has improved significantly in recent years.

The Mavericks display a high level of intelligence on the court by quickly identifying and taking advantage of mismatches. This puts pressure on the opposing defense to either double-team the ball handler early on, or switch defenders. However, neither of these tactics can fully stop the Mavericks’ offense. Doubling will likely lead to a passing sequence that results in an open 3-pointer, while switching leaves the defense vulnerable to the scoring abilities of Doncic, who has recorded the most points against single coverage according to Synergy Sports.

From this point, utilizing a coordinated strategy, the non-star players on the Dallas team work together to create closeouts, draw defensive help, and find open teammates. This constant leveraging of each other’s influence and utilization of individual strengths has greatly elevated the team’s potential. Exum’s emergence has been particularly impactful, as he serves as a key playmaker and takes advantage when opponents underestimate his abilities. As one of the most efficient scorers in the league, Exum is able to make crucial shots and remains composed when called upon by Doncic or Irving. He is comfortable with the ball and excels at exploiting defensive rotations, especially when facing a four-on-three advantage.

As a Dallas Mavericks skeptic who recently returned from paternity leave, it is especially surprising for me to witness the team establishing a successful identity on both offense and defense. On the night my daughter was born, Luka Doncic dominated the Atlanta Hawks with an incredible performance that may have been overlooked due to the current officiating style of NBA games. In the past, scoring 73 points would have been a reason for excitement, but now it is seen as excessive and flashy. This also reflects the Mavs’ previous reputation of being one-dimensional and not taken seriously (as seen by the 143 points scored by Atlanta in that game).

The man is excelling without the ball. He runs quickly off back screens, moves into open areas, and retains his elusive skill when dribbling. In the 2015-16 regular season, while assisting LeBron James in leading Cleveland to their inaugural championship, only 29% of his baskets were assisted. This season, that percentage has increased to 47%. Focusing solely on layups and dunks, the assistance for Irving’s shots in 2015-16 was a meager 19%. Currently, it has risen to 50%.

Similarly, this applies to Lively, a newly drafted center who, understandably, is now making wiser choices when operating from a shorter distance, as compared to his early months in the league. Previously, when faced with a difficult position in the paint, he would attempt challenging shots, but now he opts for swift passes out to his teammates on the perimeter.