The Dallas Mavericks have not enjoyed much success since their NBA trade deadline acquisition of Kyrie Irving.
As things presently stand, the team is 3-7 in their last 10 outings and has lost four in a row, a skid which includes back-to-back losses to the Charlotte Hornets.
Worse yet, Irving is clashing with the fan base, while star Luka Doncic sounds more and more deflated with every passing interview.
In light of all of the above, it might be fair to wonder just where the rest of the locker room falls with the controversial point guard.
An answer emerged this week.
According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, while Irving has his fair share of critics outside the organization, the team itself still seems to have his back.
“The Mavs’ results since the Kyrie Irving trade have obviously been disappointing, but I’ve only heard praise about his professionalism and locker room presence during his brief time in Dallas,” he wrote.
“Blaming Luka Doncic’s frustration on Irving isn’t fair or accurate."
The Mavericks have had a off-kilter aura from the beginning of the season. On the court, head coach Jason Kidd has clashed in bizarre fashion with some of his best players. Off the court, Doncic was embroiled in a legal battle with his mom.
While Dallas was able to hang around the middle of the Western Conference for much of the campaign, the team’s lack of depth and its occasionally dysfunctional dynamics on the court have finally appeared to catch up to the team.
What all of these dramatics might mean for Irving’s future in the Lonestar State remains to be seen.
More must-reads: