archiveKyrie Irving

DHJ Quick Take: Dallas Mavericks Land No. 9 The Ninth Symphony: Landing at No. 9 is more than just a number for Dallas; it’s a full-circle moment for Rolando Blackman, who was the franchise's first No. 9 pick. In a draft described by Mike Schmitz as "very deep," this slot...

DHJ Quick Take: Mavericks’ Search for a Defensive Identity The Identity Pivot: Following the Luka Dončić and Anthony Davis eras, the organization's messaging is singular: defense. Pairing Cooper Flagg with a point-of-attack stopper would officially cement this new philosophy. The Holiday Factor: Even at 35, Jrue Holiday remains an elite...

DHJ Quick Take: Dallas Mavericks Hire Masai Ujiri The Six-Month Search Ends: Masai Ujiri's hiring concludes a search that began in November 2025 following the dismissal of Nico Harrison. Ujiri's arrival brings immediate stability to a franchise that finished a disappointing 26-56 in the 2025-26 season. Cleaning the Slate: Ujiri...

DHJ Quick Take: Targets to Consider The Flagg Foundation: Despite a 12th-place finish (26-56), the "Information Gain" from the 2025-26 season is the historic arrival of Cooper Flagg. After dropping 51 points on the Magic in April and setting the teenage scoring record, Flagg (21.1 PPG) has validated Nico Harrison's...

DHJ Quick Take Timberwolves' New Core: Minnesota would acquire superstar point guard Kyrie Irving and veteran center Brook Lopez, significantly shifting their identity toward an offensive powerhouse built around Irving and Anthony Edwards. Clippers’ Defensive Pivot: LAC would bolster their interior defense by landing three-time Defensive Player of the Year...

DHJ Quick Take: The Dallas Mavericks' 2025-26 Season Ends The Playmaking Peak: Ryan Nembhard’s 23 assists didn't just break Jason Kidd’s rookie record—it nearly touched the overall franchise mark. On a night where Dallas dropped 149 points, Nembhard proved he is far more than a two-way developmental piece; he is...

DHJ Quick Take: Survival Mode in Phoenix The Injury Crisis: What was already a thin roster has reached a breaking point. Dallas has officially ruled out Klay Thompson (rest), Naji Marshall (hip), Daniel Gafford (shoulder), Kyrie Irving (knee), Dereck Lively II (foot), Caleb Martin (foot), P.J. Washington (elbow), and Brandon...

DHJ Quick Take: The Blueprint for Success Systematic Execution: P.J. Washington identified Sunday’s 134-point performance as the "blueprint" for the Dallas Mavericks. He credited their success to being "organized" and bringing specific defenders into the pick-and-roll to create high-value looks for Cooper Flagg and the supporting cast. Rhythm & Flow:...

DHJ Quick Take: Magic vs. Mavericks Defensive Urgency: Dallas returns home having allowed 120+ points in 12 of its last 14 games. After giving up 20 threes to Milwaukee on Tuesday, the Mavericks face an Orlando squad led by Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane that thrives on physicality and getting...

DHJ Quick Take: Magic vs. Mavericks Snapping the Skid: Dallas enters tonight’s matchup looking to halt a 13-game home losing streak. The Mavericks haven’t tasted victory at American Airlines Center since Jan. 22, and with Luka Dončić and the Lakers looming on Sunday, snapping the skid against Orlando is a...