Earlier this week, Kyrie Irving was a part of a memorable occasion as the Dallas Mavericks brought on a new coach.
A warm embrace and a brief three-word message were exchanged by Irving and veteran NBA assistant Phil Handy as they stepped into the Dallas practice facility of the Mavericks.
While playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, Irving was coached by Handy, a three-time NBA champion.
NBA veteran coach Phil Handy joins Dallas Mavericks, Kyrie Irving greets him with 3-word message
On July 15, the Dallas Mavericks hired Phil Handy as a new coach. Handy is a three-time NBA champion. He last worked with the Los Angeles Lakers and was with the Lakers until the 2023–24 season. As Handy entered the Mavericks’ practice facility in Dallas, Texas, he was welcomed by Kyrie Irving with a big hug and a simple, cheerful greeting: “Sup, Dallas Mav?!!”
The moment was captured in a video posted by the Mavericks and reshared on the social media platform X. The quick three-word message didn’t just welcome Handy, it reminded fans of the long bond between the two.
Kyrie Irving and Phil Handy go way back. Handy was a key player development coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers during their 2015–16 NBA championship run, where Irving played a major role. That season, under head coach Tyronn Lue and staff members like Handy, Irving averaged 19.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 3 rebounds. His performance peaked during the 2016 NBA Finals, when he scored 41 points in Game 5 alongside LeBron James.
“Ky is an unbelievable talent,” Phil Handy said in a 2021 interview with Basketball News. “The challenge was helping him understand how powerful his game could be with focused work.”
How Phil Handy helped Kyrie Irving grow into a champion
The connection between Phil Handy and Kyrie Irving began in 2013, when Handy joined the Cavaliers’ coaching staff. Irving was still developing as a young guard. Handy, known for building strong relationships with players, became one of the few coaches Irving trusted deeply.
Leave a Reply