De’Aaron Fox recently offered high praise for Kyrie Irving, calling him the NBA’s ultimate ball handler during an appearance on FanDuel’s FantaSea event last Friday. Fox expressed admiration for Irving’s skills, likening his ball movement to the unmatched dance style of Michael Jackson, emphasizing the uniqueness of Irving’s abilities on the court.
“People can dance but no one can dance like Michael Jackson,”
Fox said.
“People can dribble the ball and people got handles, but no one moves like Kyrie Irving.”
—De’Aaron Fox, NBA All-Star Guard
Fox, a 2023 NBA All-Star who has been a prominent guard for the Sacramento Kings since 2017, acknowledged Irving’s impact, highlighting the respect current stars have for established players like Irving who are still active yet already regarded as future Hall of Famers.
Kyrie Irving’s Career Setback and the Mavericks’ Commitment
Kyrie Irving’s recent season was disrupted by an ACL tear suffered just before the playoffs, an injury that forced him to miss the remainder of the season. Without Irving’s presence, the Dallas Mavericks were unable to secure a playoff berth, revealing his importance to the team’s success.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his return, the Mavericks demonstrated their confidence in Irving by signing him to a lucrative three-year, $119 million extension on July 8. Although his recovery timeline suggests he may not return next season, the franchise remains hopeful about his future contribution.
Irving’s Early Aspirations Outside Basketball
Before becoming one of the most skilled basketball players in the league, Kyrie Irving once envisioned a different career path. During a Wednesday episode of the Spook Signal podcast, Irving shared that he originally intended to pursue journalism, inspired by his fascination with media production and storytelling.
“I wanted to get into broadcast mode, believe it or not, before I wanted to be an NBA player,” Irving said (Timestamp: 21:10). “I was a junior in high school and I wanted to go to Indiana University, where Isiah Thomas went and I wanted to pursue journalism.” —Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks Guard
“I was so enamored with how the media worked that I enjoyed just the background camera work, the interviews, being goofy with your friends, just filming content.” —Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks Guard
Irving’s On-Court Performance and Future Outlook
Last season, Kyrie Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 47.3 percent from the field. His role became increasingly vital after the trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, as Irving was a key contributor for Dallas throughout the campaign.
With Irving sidelined during his rehabilitation, the Mavericks face the challenge of adjusting their lineup and performance without his signature talent on the floor. However, the team and fans remain optimistic that he will regain his form and continue to showcase why he is considered an elite talent and the ultimate ball handler in the NBA.