“Luka’s a gangster!” Jamal Crawford heaps praise for ‘real dog’ Luka Doncic ahead of Finals

Jamal Crawford feels both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are out to prove themselves to the NBA.

“Luka’s a gangster!” Jamal Crawford heaps praise for ‘real dog’ Luka Doncic ahead of Finals

Jamal Crawford feels Luka Doncic is a real dog owing to his trash talking, Doncic and Kyrie Irving will lead Dallas Mavericks to NBA title

Luka Doncic has established himself as one of the best players in the NBA. His elite skills with the basketball, coupled with his footwork and body control have set him apart. They were also a big reason he was a frontrunner for league MVP this season. Former NBA professional Jamal Crawford recently shared his thoughts on Luka Doncic’s one attribute that does not show in the stat sheet.

During an appearance on the Bully Ball show, host Rachel Nichols asked Crawford about Doncic’s trash talking. In response, he heaped praise on the Mavs player’s mentality.

Luka's a gangster. Luka is a real dog. Like he's going to get it. The bigger the moment, the bigger the play, the better Luka is. Even some greats don't do that. He's different Rach. And he's playing like he's got headphones on. You can't speed him up. He's just out here doing his thing. It's his pace. But his pace can make you go his pace. And then he just dissects you. Like he's something different.
Jamal Crawford said.

Crawford felt that the superstar does not back down from talking to players and fans. He backs up that talk with his play. More importantly, even if fans and players try to get him riled up, he turns the tables and then talks back.

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That was evident in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. He was also seen trash talking to Anthony Edwards, but details of that are unknown as he chose not to reveal the talk.

From Crawford’s point, it seems as if Luka Doncic is playing with a chip on his shoulder. Moreover, he was snubbed as the league MVP. All in all, it made him want to prove everyone wrong by taking his Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals.

Jamal Crawford believes Kyrie Irving is playing at his best ever

In another segment of their show, Rachel Nichols asked Jamal Crawford’s view about Kyrie Irving. Crawford also had some high praise for Kyrie.

Everything's aligned with him. His mind, body, spirit, his health. He seems like he's in the best shape I've seen him in. He's picking up full court, he's sprinting. I think right now what Kyrie's done, I think he's combined his game with some of Steph Curry's game. Like the way he's running around on screens, moving without the ball, like he's combined the two right now. He's on a magic carpet ride right now.
Jamal Crawford on Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving.

According to Crawford, Irving has elevated his game to something he has never done before. That has helped him lead the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals.

Jamal Crawford feels that improved game, as well as his history with the Boston Celtics, will push him. After all, even Kyrie Irving has a chip on his shoulder too. He was subject to relentless onslaughts by fans, the media, as well as rival teams. Winning the NBA title by beating the Boston Celtics will be his redemption.

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