But with Dončić and Irving, wrongs can be righted. Deficits can be smushed and smashed. Literal games can feel like enabled cheat codes. “I never play NBA 2K, so I don’t know if there’s a self-created player who does stuff like they do,” Kleber said. “But it’s just incredible what they do.” Video game modeling can’t recreate the star duo’s magnificence, particularly Irving’s, whose 48 points were the most in his 76-game Mavericks career. Because the Rockets largely wanted to switch pick-and-roll coverages with their athletic fivesome, Irving often saw single coverage. “When the ball’s in my hands and I don’t see anybody coming to double, that’s my time to be aggressive,” Irving said. “And teammates kept putting the ball in my hands.” -via The Athletic / April 8, 2024
