How can Mavericks' star Kyrie Irving make an All-NBA Team?

Making the All-NBA team, or one of three, is a high honor. Since 2019, the Dallas Mavericks have had at least one guy make them, whereas Luka Doncic has made the first team four times in a row. They now have the chance to have two guys make an All-NBA team, but it won't be easy.

The last team to have two guys make an All-NBA team was two seasons ago when the Phoenix Suns had Devin Booker and Chris Paul. So, we know it's doable. But can Doncic and Kyrie Irving make it, as they are two ball-dominant guards?

The last time Kyrie Irving was part of a duo that made an All-NBA team was in 2015 with LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers. The last time the Dallas Mavericks had two guys make it was 2003, with Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash.

How can Mavericks' star Kyrie Irving make an All-NBA Team?

We pretty much know Doncic will do his part and make one of the teams unless something crazy happens, seeing as he has done it four years in a row. When talking about Irving making the team, it barrels down to if Irving can play 60 games.

In 2023, the NBA sees rule changes requiring players to play at least 60 games in a season to qualify for the All-NBA teams. In other words, Memphis Grizzlies' star Ja Morant will not qualify in 2023 due to his 25-game suspension.

As for Irving, he played exactly 60 games last season, 40 with the Brooklyn Nets and 20 with the Mavericks. Before that, Irving hadn't played 60 or more games since 2018-2019. The Mavericks' newest star is known for missing games due to either an injury or an off-court issue (even though he has been a great teammate during his time in Dallas), so the only thing stopping Irving from making an All-NBA team is availability.

His game won't be a reason he misses out on the opportunity of being an All-NBA player. Irving can get you 25 points per game, six assists per game, and at least four rebounds a game, which should be enough to make one of the teams.

Another thing to factor in is that there are only two guards that make it per All-NBA team, which means six total guards make it. If we know Doncic will make it, that leaves five spots. Irving has to battle with guys like Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Devin Booker, De'Aaron Fox, Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young, and even Tyrese Haliburton.

It's possible for Irving to make an All-NBA team, but it won't be easy. Not only will playing good help, but having a successful team season will boost his odds, too. Dallas missed the playoffs for the first time since Doncic's rookie year last season, and Irving and Doncic didn't get a chance to make a run at the NBA Finals.

If Dallas can return to the playoffs, Irving has a better chance of doing something he hasn't done since 2021.

Making an All-NBA Team.