LOS ANGELES -- About an hour after his debut with the Dallas Mavericks, Kyrie Irving took a seat at the front of the crowded visitors' news conference room at Crypto.com Arena and was immediately asked about his former Brooklyn Nets teammate Kevin Durant being traded to the Phoenix Suns, news that broke minutes before.
"I'm happy we got the win," Irving said with a chuckle. "Can we start with our team first? Start with our team first."
It was certainly an impressive start for Irving, the eight-time All-Star who was acquired by Dallas in a blockbuster deal for guard Spencer Dinwiddie, forward Dorian Finney-Smith, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick and two second-rounders.