DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks currently lead the Minnesota Timberwolves 3-0 in the Western Conference Finals. Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic have performed well in the series as Dallas is just one victory away from an NBA Finals appearance. One interesting dynamic of the Mavs is the relationship between Irving and head coach Jason Kidd.

The two have known each other for a long time. They even played against one another in the NBA. Kidd revealed the first time he met Irving while speaking to reporters after practice on Monday.

“He was in high school playing in one of the Nike events,” Kidd said. “I got to see him, he was pretty good. Just the way he carried himself. The way he handled, not just the ball, that's a given… He's worked extremely hard at that. Just the way he carried himself  and played the game.”

Kidd then joked that he was “too big time” to talk to Kyrie. His comments were met by laughter from reporters.

Of course, the relationship between Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic draws the most attention in today's game. The Mavs stars have silenced their doubters and made their partnership on the Mavericks work.

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“Just the trust, Luka has always trusted his teammates… He sees Kai (Irving) competing on the defensive end, he's competing on the defensive end,” Kidd said of the Mavs stars. “I think they push each other in a positive way. On the floor on both ends. But also I think they give each other security that if one is tired he trusts that the other one can deliver. And it's not his turn or my turn… One says ‘I'm tired', the other one feels that he has to step up and do his job. It's a matter of being great teammates.”

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The Mavs have continued to upset the odds. Despite being considered an underdog by many heading into the Western Conference Finals, Dallas is one victory away from earning an impressive sweep.

“When you have Luka and Kai to be able to lean on at the end, not just offensively but defensively… Just our poise. Being able to make plays at the right time,” Kidd said of the Mavs' success in the series so far. “To be able to get stops and then also to be able to get good looks on the offensive end.”

There is still work to be done. At the moment, the Mavericks feel good about their position. Dallas will attempt to complete the sweep on Tuesday night in Game 4.