The Dallas Mavericks’ two main stars, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, are eager to make a statement during this new NBA season and prove they can be the deadly combo everyone expects them to be after an admittedly “horrible” season.

The Mavericks signed Irving in February of last season, and his arrival at American Airlines Centre from Brooklyn was expected to bolster a club that relied largely on Doncic.

Making a successful partnership on the fly proved tough, and Dallas went 5-11 in the 16 games they played together before missing the play-offs and the play-in tournament entirely.

The world is waiting to see how two powerhouses like Doncic and Irving can combine on the court, and the latter admits it will be a challenge, but one he is up for.

Irving is “at peace” starting the new season, thanks to the added benefit of a complete training camp and pre-season together, and has been enjoying his time in Abu Dhabi so far, going camel-riding and dining in the desert with his teammates.

“I’ll tell you it’s so much more peaceful when you start from day one and you could honestly set your expectations of where you want them to be,” stated Irving.

“Just use training camp to grow with your teammates and the coaches.” When you’re in foreign waters, you can’t help but connect and get to know one other better. I’m just thankful for the chance. When I was traded, Dallas showed me nothing but love. They’ve been embracing me and simply telling me to be myself. I’m grateful because I’m at ease.”

When questioned about what he’s learned about Irving during this training camp, Doncic has been reticent, but as the team as a whole spends more time together, the chemistry is likely to build.

Apart from preparing to dominate on the court against Minnesota, the Slovenian star has his sights set on a trip to Yas Island’s Ferrari World, and Irving is eager to ride the world’s fastest roller coaster with him.

Finding a winning recipe on the court, on the other hand, may be a little more difficult.

“We’re going to have to answer our own questions before we answer everyone else’s,” Irving, who won an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, said.

“I believe Luka and I have different expectations for what we want to accomplish together, but most importantly as a team.” We have experience as leaders of this team, and having been in the Finals stage a few times and falling short the last few years, I’ve been able to learn from failure, learn from mistakes, and bring that pedigree here and teach the guys some things that I myself am still growing through.

“I’m looking forward to that.” Not necessarily answering questions about myself and Luka, but rather how successful we are as a team.”

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd is confidence in his star pair and hopes to see Doncic win MVP this season.

The Hall of Famer concedes his team has a lot to show after finishing 38-44 last season, but he feels the new-look Mavericks, strengthened by rookies Dereck Lively II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper, can turn things around.

“This is a different team than the one from last year.” We have a lot of new faces, and we believe we’ve improved. So, if we can stay healthy, we believe our two stars, Kai and Luka, can play at a high level, putting us in a position to win a lot of games,” said Kidd.

Slovenia may have ended eighth in the Fiba World Cup, but Doncic had an outstanding season, averaging 27 points per game, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists.

He intends to carry that form into the next NBA season and is not bashful about pursuing MVP honors.

“It’s critical. It’s the MVP of the world’s top league. It’s not that horrible. But first and foremost, we need to win some games; that’s what it’s all about this year,” stated the 24-year-old.

The two games in Abu Dhabi are the first pre-season games for both teams, and their coaches intend to rotate all of their players.

The Timberwolves are well aware that they will have their hands full with Doncic and Irving, with their 35-year-old point guard Mike Conley describing the task as “having your head on a swivel.”

“You’re talking about two of the best players in the league, obviously two of the best scorers and playmakers in the league,” Conley said.

“Normally, when you have to deal with one or the other, you focus on one guy at a time.” But when they’re both on the floor, you have to keep your head on the swivel because you can’t isolate one of them.

“It’s definitely going to be a test defensively and just trying to match their intensity in the way they play, the way they move the ball, the way they can see the floor, the way they score, so it’ll be fun.”

The Dallas Mavericks will play the Minnesota Timberwolves at Etihad Arena on Thursday, October 5, and Saturday, October 7, both at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at etihadarena.ae and ticketmaster.ae *