A few weeks from the start of NBA training camps, Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook are working together on the court.
The star guards are claimed train with the Realistick tool that coaches and trainers use to simulate the height of NBA players so it’s like they’re practicing against someone without putting their body at risk of injury.
The upcoming season is important for Westbrook and Irving. Russ has a strong finish to the 2022-23 campaign after joining the Los Angeles Clippers. He averaged 15.8 points on 48.9 percent shooting and 7.6 assists per game in 21 starts.
In their first-round playoff loss to the Phoenix Suns, Westbrook did his best to carry the Clippers without Paul George and after Kawhi Leonard was injured in Game 2. He put up 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists in the series that Los Angeles lost in five games.
The Clippers brought Westbrook back to a two years, $8 million deal in free agency.
Irving will have a memorable season in 2022-23, although not much is positive. He is suspended by the Brooklyn Nets after sharing images from a movie and book that featured antisemitic tropes and refusing to apologize for the situation.
The eight-time All-Star eventually issued an apology to the Jewish community, although he retracted it after being traded from the Nets to the Dallas Mavericks.
“I remove things all the time, and have no respect for anyone within the community,” Irving said. reporters on Feb. 7. “Just living my life.”
The Mavs made several bets on Irving. The first was on February 6 when they traded Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie and three draft picks, including the unprotected 2029 first-round selection, to the Nets for Irving.
The second occurred when the Mavs signed Irving to a three years, $120 million deal in free agency. Their hope is that Irving and Luka DonÄić will become an elite duo that elevates the franchise to become one of the best in the Western Conference.