To some people, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is one of the best basketball players alive.
But to others, he’s not even the best player on his team.
Kenyon Martin was on Gils Arena Show the other day and claimed that Doncic is second on the team behind Kyrie Irving.
He repeatedly said that Doncic is a great player but he also added that “real basketball people” understand that Irving is the Mavericks’ best star.
Kenyon Martin says ‘real basketball people’ knows that Kyrie Irving is the best player on the Mavericks over Luka Doncic
(🎥 @GilsArenaShow / h/t @headhonchospor2) pic.twitter.com/Vw5FgHS9DD
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 21, 2023
Last season, Doncic averaged 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8 assists with a 49.6% field goal percentage.
And Irving produced 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists during his 20 games with the Mavericks.
But Martin said that you need to look at a lot more than just the numbers.
A player’s worth isn’t about the numbers he produces, Martin said, but instead what he does with those numbers.
Unfortunately, both Doncic and Irving didn’t do enough with their numbers last season.
They seemed to play well together during this limited time but the Mavericks still couldn’t pull themselves out of the hole they dug and they didn’t reach the playoffs.
This season will be a huge test for the team.
Will they be able to reach the postseason again or will all those strong statistics fail to move the needle?
If they fall short again, the partnership of Doncic and Irving may be broken.
People will debate if Doncic or Irving are better but that doesn’t matter in the end.
All that really matters is that both players take their skills and convert them into wins in 2023-24.
NEXT:
Jason Kidd Gives Update On Luka Doncic’s Injury