Kyrie Irving has not touched the court this season due to his ACL tear, yet his presence still shapes the Dallas Mavericks every day. He shows up to shootarounds, he attends games, and he keeps his voice strong in the locker room. His influence hits one player the most, rising guard Brandon Williams, who continues to grow under Irving’s mentorship. Kidd did not hold back when he detailed how significant Irving’s involvement has been, per Fansided. “Kai’s leadership has been huge,” Kidd said before the win over the Pelicans. “Just being able to have a voice, someone who’s done it at a very high level, and someone that you can see doing it in practice. So you get to learn on job training, visual, and being able to hear Kai’s voice, and so I think it’s incredible of a masterclass of what Kai has done so far with B Will.” Williams earned the starting point guard job earlier this month, and Irving has played a direct role in that rise. Kyrie’s Mentorship Pushes Brandon Williams Forward Williams is only 25 years old, now in his second full season with Dallas, and he continues to trend upward. Through 15 games, he averages 10. 4 points, 2. 7 rebounds, 3. 9 assists, and 1. 6 steals. His improvement has brightened a difficult 5-12 start, and the Mavericks clearly see long-term potential in him. Irving understands Williams’ game better than most because their styles mirror each other. They both attack downhill with craft, keep defenders off balance with sharp footwork, and finish at tough angles with confidence. That connection has fueled Williams’ progress since last season, when he locked in a standard contract after starting on a two-way deal. “I think being around Kai here has elevated his game,” Kidd said last season after a win, Fansided reports. “I think he has studied Kai a little bit and has taken a page out of his book.” During practices, Irving guides Williams with constant feedback from the sideline. He helps him understand how to read a defense, how to build pace, and how to control a possession. The mentorship stretches off the court as well, and Williams values every interaction. “I call Kai literally about anything,” he said late last season. “Anything that I need, anything that I want to learn about, office is right there. Kyrie is one phone call away. I look up to Kyrie.” Jason Kidd on Kyrie Irving’s leadership toward Brandon Williams despite not playing a game this season: “Kai’s leadership has been huge. Them talking and walking through different pick-and-roll coverages. Just being able to have a voice, someone who’s done it at a very high. pic. twitter. com/j4kBOlMWWy Noah Weber (@noahweber00) November 22, 2025 A Steady Voice Through a Turbulent Season Williams faced a challenging moment at the start of the season when police arrested him for possession of marijuana at DFW Airport while he traveled to attend a close friend’s funeral. He took full accountability and apologized for becoming a distraction. He then produced a strong performance in his first game back, which signaled a reset. Irving remained in his corner throughout that stretch, and that support mattered. Williams played his way into the starting lineup with a new level of focus, and Kidd continues to point toward Irving when he explains why the young guard looks so composed. Irving’s impact goes far beyond his scoring totals or highlights. He has reshaped his image in Dallas by investing in younger teammates, and the bond forming between him and Williams echoes a teacher and apprentice dynamic. Dallas has struggled to collect wins, but Williams’ growth offers a bright spot, and Irving stands right beside him as a daily guide. The Mavericks hoped Irving would elevate the franchise when healthy. Instead, he has done it from the sideline, and Kidd believes that work deserves recognition.
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