Latest news with #FadeawayWorld
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kevin Durant And Kyrie Irving Almost Reunited On Mavericks Before Devastating Injury
Kevin Durant And Kyrie Irving Almost Reunited On Mavericks Before Devastating Injury originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Kevin Durant nearly became a Dallas Maverick. That's according to NBA insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson, who reported on Thursday that the Suns fielded multiple trade calls for Durant at the deadline—including one from the Mavericks. While talks didn't materialize into a deal, Robinson claims it could have gone much further had Kyrie Irving not suffered a season-ending injury. 'The Suns were taking phone calls from other teams that were calling at the deadline," said NBA Insider Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson on the 'HBCU' podcast. "Those teams included Dallas, the Washington Wizards, and the Golden State Warriors. Just talking to people across the league, I got the sense that had Kyrie Irving not injured his knee, torn his ACL, we might be having another conversation about Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving as members of the Dallas Mavericks." Despite averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game last season, Durant failed to lead the Suns to prosperity in the Western Conference. Their failure led Durant to become the summer's hottest trade target, and the Mavericks might have pulled off the trade had Kyrie Irving not torn his ACL in March. "In fact, that Kyrie Irving injury really was the Achilles heel as to why KD did not find a way to the Dallas Mavericks even though the Mavericks were calling.' Durant's history with Irving goes back to the 2019-20 season, the start of their tenure as teammates. Together, they led the Nets to prominence in the East and formed one of the most lethal offensive duos in the sport. Besides great chemistry on the court, Durant and Irving developed a close bond that persists even today. Unfortunately, their time as teammates can only be described as a disaster, given that the Nets only won one playoff series under their leadership. When they finally parted ways in February of 2023, nobody ever imagined they'd work together again. And yet, according to Scoop, they nearly ran it back this summer for a reunion in Dallas. With Durant, Irving, and Anthony Davis, the Mavericks could have been favorites in the West and would have been in a nice position to justify their Luka Doncic trade. It was a dream scenario for the Mavericks that ultimately ended when Irving suffered a season-ending ACL tear. That injury did more than just derail the Mavericks' season; it also erased the opportunity to build a potential superteam with some of the best NBA veterans in the sport. On the Rockets, Durant will have one last chance to make amends for his mistakes, but he won't have Irving by his side to help set the culture he envisions. Instead, he'll have to rely on a young and unproven core featuring Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. It's hard not to wonder what could've been. A healthy Kyrie might have been the key to reuniting one of the NBA's most electric duos and creating a new powerhouse in Dallas. Instead, the dream dissolved before it ever got off the ground. For Durant, a new chapter begins in Houston. For the Mavs, it's just another reminder of how quickly opportunity can slip away in the story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luka Doncic Once Dropped 24 Points In 3 Minutes During Practice; Mavs Assistant GM Revealed More On The Incident
Luka Doncic Once Dropped 24 Points In 3 Minutes During Practice; Mavs Assistant GM Revealed More On The Incident originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Luka Doncic is widely regarded as one of the most gifted offensive players in the NBA today. Considering how effective he is during official matches, there is enough evidence to suggest that he would dominate during team practice as well. In a recent podcast, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving attested to Doncic's dominance during practice sessions and recalled a story involving the superstar on a recent livestream. He said: "He's giving you probably like 60, 18, and 18. I witnessed him give somebody 24 points in three minutes." As impressive as this story is, Irving didn't reveal who was guarding Doncic. However, a sound bite provided by Mavs assistant GM Michael Finley gave more context to the story. "So one day in practice," recalled Finley. "A player in our team, I won't call his name out, but it was Grant Williams, who decided he wanted to get under Luka's skin. He thought Luka didn't come that day ready to practice." "To make a long story short, we had a scrimmage going, and he's talking trash to Luka up and down the court. So finally, Luka says, 'Okay.' And I tell you, Luka went on a 26-6 run by himself. You can ask anybody. I'm not exaggerating." Finley continued by painting a picture of how Doncic showed Williams the sheer expanse of his offensive arsenal, and to top things off, he wasn't even talking back. With guests in attendance at the practice, Doncic chose to put on a show. In light of what the 26-year-old superstar achieved during his short career with the Dallas Mavericks, the Mavs made a mistake in trading him to the Los Angeles Lakers. Although they acquired a generational two-way big man in Anthony Davis in return, replacing a talent like Doncic is virtually impossible. Nevertheless, with half a season under their belts, both Doncic and the Mavs have moved on from the decision. As the 26-year-old superstar continues his offseason conditioning to get in shape for the upcoming season, Dallas charts out the next steps forward. Having acquired an immensely gifted young forward in Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, the Mavericks will look to nurture and mold him into their franchise cornerstone. The next season presents an interesting outlook for the Mavericks. While they have a solid roster in place, they will be shorthanded heading into the campaign. With Irving expected to miss a significant amount of time due to delays in injury recovery, the team could face some struggles. But if Davis' health holds up and Flagg shows positive growth through the season, the Mavs could still be a competitive team in the story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luka Doncic's Body Transformation Was Years In The Making, Sources Say
Luka Doncic's Body Transformation Was Years In The Making, Sources Say originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Luka Doncic looked like a different player during the Mavericks' run to the 2024 NBA Finals, but it turns out the transformation wasn't sparked by Dallas. According to a new report by The Athletic, the physical changes that helped Doncic reach a new level were set in motion by his personal team as far back as 2023—long before the trade that shook his career. "Some sources in Doncic's inner circle believed he was on the path toward this kind of physical transformation, whether or not Dallas general manager Nico Harrison had bet against him," wrote Dan Woike of The Athletic. "Doncic and his management team began working with Macek and Barrio in 2023. One year later, he helped carry the Mavericks to the NBA Finals." Luka, who was drafted third overall in 2018, was always naturally gifted, but there were questions about whether he could demonstrate the level of training and conditioning required to succeed at the highest levels. Ultimately, Doncic's camp believed more time and experience would show him the formula to success. "The belief among Doncic's team was, to some degree, that as he matured as an NBA professional, he'd adopt some better habits and completely buy into a stricter strength and conditioning program instead of the more competition-driven approach he'd been comfortable with," Woike wrote. "But improvement isn't always linear." Despite career averages of 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game on 43.8% shooting, Doncic was cast aside by the Mavericks last season. Citing his lack of discipline and poor conditioning habits, they justified giving up Luka in the pursuit of a championship. Now, he intends to make them pay. With a renewed competitive fire, a chip on his shoulder, and a supportive cast of teammates and associates, Doncic wants to make the Mavs regret ever letting him go by becoming the player they always wanted him to be. Already, the reports out of Los Angeles have been positive. In his first offseason as a Laker, he's shown a legitimate interest in expanding his arsenal and taking every measure to ensure his health and prosperity throughout the season. For Doncic, however, this trend is not only the result of the blockbuster trade. No matter where he ended up, Doncic believes he was on the upward track and that what we've seen so far is just the beginning of what he can do on the court. While it may be too soon for the Mavs to have regrets, it won't take much for Doncic to make that trade look foolish. If he's able to complete his body transformation and show the dedication to his craft that was lacking before, it may be the key to unlocking his full potential in the NBA. In the end, Doncic's evolution is about more than abs or cardio drills. It represents a mindset shift for a player who's long relied on skill and savvy to dominate. Now that his body is finally catching up to his basketball IQ, the ceiling for Luka and the Mavericks is higher than story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luka Doncic Takes Subtle Shot At Mavs For Raising Concerns On His Weight: "Don't Have To Worry About That"
Luka Doncic Takes Subtle Shot At Mavs For Raising Concerns On His Weight: "Don't Have To Worry About That" originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic has drawn widespread attention for his dramatic offseason conditioning. Featured recently in Men's Health magazine, the 26-year-old appears poised to silence his critics. While attending a New York Yankees game on Monday, Doncic discussed his Men's Health feature. When asked if he would send a copy to the Mavericks, the superstar responded by saying: "I think they've already seen it, so we don't have to worry about that." Mavs GM Nico Harrison was among the many people who criticized Doncic's conditioning. Reports suggested that the lack of attention he paid to fitness was viewed as a reason for his injuries, leading to growing skepticism about his ability to lead the franchise to title success. When considering that the Slovenian had led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals just a year ago, the criticism seemed misaligned. Regardless, the comment about his fitness was all the motivation Doncic needed heading into the summer. Coming off a postseason run filled with scrutiny, the Lakers' superstar set out to reshape the narrative in what many are calling his revenge season. With a renewed focus on conditioning in the offseason, Doncic has seemingly surpassed expectations, displaying a physique that fans haven't seen before. Doncic's training regimen has reportedly been influenced by Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, featuring a single-minded obsession with getting into the best possible shape he can. After making significant dietary changes and enduring grueling workout plans, the guard appears to be in the best shape of his career. The 26-year-old also claims that these efforts have seen a resurgence in his athletic ability. The Slovenian seems committed to the grind, adding that his efforts would be meaningless without long-term consistency. Following widespread backlash and questions about his competitive drive, Doncic seems to be responding in the best way possible: through action. The upcoming season is primed to be a pivotal one for the guard, who has seemingly embraced his role as the face of the Lakers franchise. Having played an active role in recruiting free agents while also getting into shape, Doncic has displayed a commitment to the team that can only be considered reassuring. Initial concerns regarding his decision to sign an extension with the Lakers have effectively dissipated, as the guard is expected to ink his future with the team this weekend. Although the upcoming regular season is undoubtedly a priority, the 26-year-old will shift his attention to the EuroBasket tournament first. In the process of representing his home country, Slovenia, Doncic will also display the fruits of his story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luka Doncic Makes Lakers Warning Clear: ‘Win Now Or I'm Out'
Luka Doncic Makes Lakers Warning Clear: 'Win Now Or I'm Out' originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Luka Doncic didn't join the Los Angeles Lakers to wait around. According to a new report from The Athletic, the newly acquired superstar has made his expectations crystal clear behind the scenes: he's here to win immediately. A source close to Doncic told the outlet that his mentality is firmly 'win now,' and he's applied championship pressure on the franchise from day one. 'This isn't signing away to the Lakers and saying, 'OK, you have my commitment and I'll have some patience here,'' said ESPN's Dave McMenamin on NBA Today. 'It's 'I want to win this year, I want to win the subsequent year. So long as my name is signed to a piece of paper saying I am a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, I expect to be in a position to raise banners at the Arena.'' Coming from the Mavericks, Luka Doncic is feeling extra motivated to have a successful tenure in Los Angeles. In his first 28 games with the team last season, he got off to a pretty solid start with averages of 29.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game on 43.8% shooting. Few franchises face more constant pressure than the Lakers. Besides residing in one of the NBA's biggest market cities, the Lakers have a rich history of success that has raised their standards beyond any other team in the league. That's not to mention LeBron James, whose ripe age at 40 years old means that he's on the clock to win now. As he nears retirement, the Lakers are feeling the pressure to give him the kind of hero's exit he deserves. At the same time, Luka Doncic will have title expectations, and if the Lakers fail to stay in contention, it could jeopardize their relationship with the Slovenian superstar. Fortunately, Rob Pelinka has put his team in a good position to compete. After finishing third in the West last year, Pelinka revamped the roster with acquisitions like Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia. Plus, with young guys like Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, and Bronny James, the Lakers will also get better through internal development. Now 26, Luka is the unquestioned face of the Lakers—and he's treating it like a mission. After being disrespected and disregarded by the Mavericks, he wants to prove them wrong as soon as possible and convince the NBA world that they made a huge mistake by letting him go. With just one NBA Finals appearance under his belt (2024), Doncic still has a long way to go before he feels any satisfaction, but he's feeling good about his chances for success next season. Thanks to a new training regimen and a commitment to proper conditioning, Doncic is setting himself up for the best stretch of his career. It's up to the Lakers to ensure it doesn't go to waste by giving him the support he needs to make a run in the West. Luka Doncic isn't just bringing elite talent to L.A., he's bringing urgency. With his prime years underway and a chip on his shoulder, Luka's demand for excellence is exactly what this franchise needs to reclaim its identity. The message is clear: title contention is not optional. If the Lakers meet Doncic's standard, they could be on the verge of another golden era. If they don't, they risk losing one of the greatest talents of his generation before he ever gets a chance to plant his flag in purple and story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
