Are Mavericks fans letting Nico & owners off the hook?

[Baz]

Not even two weeks have passed since the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic, the face of Dallas sports and successor to Dirk Nowitzki - off the back of an NBA Finals appearance and 3rd in MVP voting.

The reaction online has been loud and visceral. In and around the arena however, there has been very little attempt at protest or voicing opposition to an ownership which has betrayed their own fans.

There was a small protest outside the arena before the first home game after the trade. Since then some fans raised Fire Nico signs and were promptly escorted out of the arena, alongside others who had similar sentiments. But now, there are very few fans continuing the effort. It seems as though fans have accepted that Luka Doncic is not coming back and they might as well just continue to cheer for their team.

See the video below of a single fan chanting Fire Nico while the fans around him are silent.

Read on Twitter

Nico did say that winning would fix any anger, and it seems he was right. And it only took a few games. Most Mavericks fans who go to the games have moved on. They still love the players remaining on this team and those players have fought hard and given them reason to cheer. But are they spineless for not standing up to an ownership and GM which spat in their face and traded the best player they've ever had and ever will have? Should the GM and owner be getting more grief than they are? Or are they right to get over it and resume normal fan duties?

[CIN-C-STAR]

The public in general seems to have little appetite for protest these days.
Too distracted by our phones probably.
I would want more done personally, but in reality there is nothing that can be changed the trade is consummated.

[dballislife]

not a lot you can do, the authoritarian owner and gm has been kicking fans out and threatening to ban them from games...people pay a lot of money to sit down and enjoy games

[DonaldSanders]

At a certain point the effort is wasted, I think the fans have expressed their viewpoint. The best way at this point to show you disagree with the trade is to not spend money on Mavs gear, games, etc.

[Calvin Klein]

If people don't properly go out of their homes and protest for much much worse issues going on in your country and the world, do you really expect them to give a **** about this?

[NoStatsGuy]

this is probably mostly an internet thing. how things are being perceived in the internet is heavily infliuenced by what you chose to see. for us basketball geeks, we see it all day every day on twitter, forums, apps, groupchats, etc.. but there are many people, that just wanna go to the game and enjoy some of their free time. they dont get caught up in stuff like we do and many probably understand theres nothing you can do except stop rooting for the team, which is easier said than done.

in the real world, things are often very different.

[JimmyPlopper]

I hate how management and ownership are handling the fallout. Completing a bad trade of its beloved star, insulting the guy on his way out, not owning up to the bad trade, and retaliating against fans who would question their moves (including kicking people out for booing the GM!). I feel really bad for the Mavericks fans. I would be doing a boycott/protest of sorts - just as I did with the Sixers once Embiid showed his true colors.

[dirkdiggler4177]

It was obviously a dumb trade I don't agree on, so please don't quote me to argue about the actual trade, because I won't defend it. But in all honestly, I did not think the Mavs would repeat going to the finals this year. You can't have Kyrie, Luka, and Klay on the court at the same time and play great playoff defense. Yes, OKC lost last year, but this year they are better everywhere and more mature.

The weird part was the first game after the trade against the Celtics, the team was so fired up. Played excellent defense and beat the Celtics. They all looked so energized and ready to prove themself. It was even better when Anthony Davis played his first game. Klay Thompson has never looked happier in a Mavs uniform. The defensive scheme was different and they set a new team high in blocks. It was so fun to watch.
Max Christie has also been a ton of fun to watch, he is averaging 17ppg 48% in 6 games for the Mavs. He has also been the best defender for the Mavs.

At the end of the day, Nico might be right. Has there ever been an NBA finals MVP that was considered lazy except Shaq? You hear about Curry, Dirk, Kobe, LeBron, etc. and the one thing they have in common is work ethic. Nobody has ever talked about Luka's work ethic. Nico might be right that Luka will never be a finals MVP because of his persona.

By the way, the team has won 4 out of their 5 last games, all against playoff teams. They only lost by one point to the Kings. They have been starting two g-leaguers in Prosper and Kessler Edwards because they don't have any centers, all injured (Davis, Lively, Gafford and Powell)

[Baz]

It was obviously a dumb trade I don't agree on, so please don't quote me to argue about the actual trade, because I won't defend it. But in all honestly, I did not think the Mavs would repeat going to the finals this year. You can't have Kyrie, Luka, and Klay on the court at the same time and play great playoff defense. Yes, OKC lost last year, but this year they are better everywhere and more mature.

The weird part was the first game after the trade against the Celtics, the team was so fired up. Played excellent defense and beat the Celtics. They all looked so energized and ready to prove themself. It was even better when Anthony Davis played his first game. Klay Thompson has never looked happier in a Mavs uniform. The defensive scheme was different and they set a new team high in blocks. It was so fun to watch.
Max Christie has also been a ton of fun to watch, he is averaging 17ppg 48% in 6 games for the Mavs. He has also been the best defender for the Mavs.

At the end of the day, Nico might be right. Has there ever been an NBA finals MVP that was considered lazy except Shaq? You hear about Curry, Dirk, Kobe, LeBron, etc. and the one thing they have in common is work ethic. Nobody has ever talked about Luka's work ethic. Nico might be right that Luka will never be a finals MVP because of his persona.

He was 3 wins away from being Finals MVP. And to be as skilled as Luka you cannot be lazy. I don't buy that rhetoric.

[Prince187]

If they really want to piss off the new owners they should start waving Palestinian flags at the games and chanting “Free Palestine”

[Broadcaster]

Not even two weeks have passed since the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic, the face of Dallas sports and successor to Dirk Nowitzki - off the back of an NBA Finals appearance and 3rd in MVP voting.

The reaction online has been loud and visceral. In and around the arena however, there has been very little attempt at protest or voicing opposition to an ownership which has betrayed their own fans.

There was a small protest outside the arena before the first home game after the trade. Since then some fans raised Fire Nico signs and were promptly escorted out of the arena, alongside others who had similar sentiments. But now, there are very few fans continuing the effort. It seems as though fans have accepted that Luka Doncic is not coming back and they might as well just continue to cheer for their team.

See the video below of a single fan chanting Fire Nico while the fans around him are silent.

Read on Twitter

Nico did say that winning would fix any anger, and it seems he was right. And it only took a few games. Most Mavericks fans who go to the games have moved on. They still love the players remaining on this team and those players have fought hard and given them reason to cheer. But are they spineless for not standing up to an ownership and GM which spat in their face and traded the best player they've ever had and ever will have? Should the GM and owner be getting more grief than they are? Or are they right to get over it and resume normal fan duties?

It genuinely makes me sad. I’m sure it’s what they want; everyone to sink into apathy as they feel they can’t do anything. This only emboldens the powers that be that act in opposition to public to continue to serve their own selfish interests. I think this is sadly at the core of how our society functions now.

[Archx]

I hate how management and ownership are handling the fallout. Completing a bad trade of its beloved star, insulting the guy on his way out, not owning up to the bad trade, and retaliating against fans who would question their moves (including kicking people out for booing the GM!). I feel really bad for the Mavericks fans. I would be doing a boycott/protest of sorts - just as I did with the Sixers once Embiid showed his true colors.

There is a topic on Mavs reddit. Fans noticing that the organization has completely distanced himself from Luka. No one is mentioning him anymore, they mention only Dirk. Mavs social manager made a nice tribute to Luka on Instagram but has now went private and they're saying video has been taken down. Luckily someone managed to copy it and post it somewhere else.

This is the link. https://files.catbox.moe/lzlg7o.mp4


Fans also noticed they are flooding new topics and news about new players and other stuff to silence out the Luka trade on their social media platforms. I don't know if they're posting more than they did in the past but some people did bring that up.

Mavs Ticketmaster mentions only past stars. Again, i don't know if this was before like this but is is quite puzzling.

[cjmcallist]

It was obviously a dumb trade I don't agree on, so please don't quote me to argue about the actual trade, because I won't defend it. But in all honestly, I did not think the Mavs would repeat going to the finals this year. You can't have Kyrie, Luka, and Klay on the court at the same time and play great playoff defense. Yes, OKC lost last year, but this year they are better everywhere and more mature.

The weird part was the first game after the trade against the Celtics, the team was so fired up. Played excellent defense and beat the Celtics. They all looked so energized and ready to prove themself. It was even better when Anthony Davis played his first game. Klay Thompson has never looked happier in a Mavs uniform. The defensive scheme was different and they set a new team high in blocks. It was so fun to watch.
Max Christie has also been a ton of fun to watch, he is averaging 17ppg 48% in 6 games for the Mavs. He has also been the best defender for the Mavs.

At the end of the day, Nico might be right. Has there ever been an NBA finals MVP that was considered lazy except Shaq? You hear about Curry, Dirk, Kobe, LeBron, etc. and the one thing they have in common is work ethic. Nobody has ever talked about Luka's work ethic. Nico might be right that Luka will never be a finals MVP because of his persona.

By the way, the team has won 4 out of their 5 last games, all against playoff teams. They only lost by one point to the Kings. They have been starting two g-leaguers in Prosper and Kessler Edwards because they don't have any centers, all injured (Davis, Lively, Gafford and Powell)

This could be true - it would be historically unusual, but reasonable minds can disagree. And I actually don't mind that they traded Luka.
It's the return that he got and the way that he did it that's unforgiveable.

[MavsDirk41]

I was pissed and im still pissed that they not only traded a 25 year old generational talent for a 32 year old injury prone player along with one draft pick and an ok player, but im almost more angry about the fact that they didnt see what deal they could have gotten and just settled for the Lakers offer. Would Orlando have given up Banchero? Toronto Scottie Barnes? Davis is still a top 10 player but his age and injury history would have been a no for me. To answer your question, at some point you have to move on and support the team.

Dirk is the Mavericks best player all time not Luka also

[Broadcaster]

I hate how management and ownership are handling the fallout. Completing a bad trade of its beloved star, insulting the guy on his way out, not owning up to the bad trade, and retaliating against fans who would question their moves (including kicking people out for booing the GM!). I feel really bad for the Mavericks fans. I would be doing a boycott/protest of sorts - just as I did with the Sixers once Embiid showed his true colors.

There is a topic on Mavs reddit. Fans noticing that the organization has completely distanced himself from Luka. No one is mentioning him anymore, they mention only Dirk. Mavs social manager made a nice tribute to Luka on Instagram but has now went private and they're saying video has been taken down. Luckily someone managed to copy it and post it somewhere else.

This is the link. https://files.catbox.moe/lzlg7o.mp4


Fans also noticed they are flooding new topics and news about new players and other stuff to silence out the Luka trade on their social media platforms. I don't know if they're posting more than they did in the past but some people did bring that up.

Mavs Ticketmaster mentions only past stars. Again, i don't know if this was before like this but is is quite puzzling.

This is wild. I do think this is all about something not related to basketball.

[Beethoven]

It's just a game. Just entertainment. It is for most, just one little slice out of their life pie. You go out of your way to protest and picket, etc and just get tired then you have no time for anything else, I find it silly if this is your choice to do that. Basically shows that basketball /NBA is perhaps the whole slice of pie in your life?

If youre against it, just dont go to the game. Don't tune in. Unsubscribe. Move on to other entertainment. Plain and simple.

[Archx]

Spoiler:

I hate how management and ownership are handling the fallout. Completing a bad trade of its beloved star, insulting the guy on his way out, not owning up to the bad trade, and retaliating against fans who would question their moves (including kicking people out for booing the GM!). I feel really bad for the Mavericks fans. I would be doing a boycott/protest of sorts - just as I did with the Sixers once Embiid showed his true colors.

There is a topic on Mavs reddit. Fans noticing that the organization has completely distanced himself from Luka. No one is mentioning him anymore, they mention only Dirk. Mavs social manager made a nice tribute to Luka on Instagram but has now went private and they're saying video has been taken down. Luckily someone managed to copy it and post it somewhere else.

This is the link. https://files.catbox.moe/lzlg7o.mp4


Fans also noticed they are flooding new topics and news about new players and other stuff to silence out the Luka trade on their social media platforms. I don't know if they're posting more than they did in the past but some people did bring that up.

Mavs Ticketmaster mentions only past stars. Again, i don't know if this was before like this but is is quite puzzling.

This is wild. I do think this is all about something not related to basketball.

No clue. Kidd didn't even mentioned his name in his latest press conference. He just said "guy who was traded" Like that is just some random dude who hopped a team after 3 months.

[Mavrelous]

I hate how management and ownership are handling the fallout. Completing a bad trade of its beloved star, insulting the guy on his way out, not owning up to the bad trade, and retaliating against fans who would question their moves (including kicking people out for booing the GM!). I feel really bad for the Mavericks fans. I would be doing a boycott/protest of sorts - just as I did with the Sixers once Embiid showed his true colors.

There is a topic on Mavs reddit. Fans noticing that the organization has completely distanced himself from Luka. No one is mentioning him anymore, they mention only Dirk. Mavs social manager made a nice tribute to Luka on Instagram but has now went private and they're saying video has been taken down. Luckily someone managed to copy it and post it somewhere else.

This is the link. https://files.catbox.moe/lzlg7o.mp4


Fans also noticed they are flooding new topics and news about new players and other stuff to silence out the Luka trade on their social media platforms. I don't know if they're posting more than they did in the past but some people did bring that up.

Mavs Ticketmaster mentions only past stars. Again, i don't know if this was before like this but is is quite puzzling.

Bizarre, Kidd yesterday refered to Luka as "the player we traded", no idea who is the PR person in charge, but he's well versed in early Soviet tactics...

[dirkdiggler4177]

It was obviously a dumb trade I don't agree on, so please don't quote me to argue about the actual trade, because I won't defend it. But in all honestly, I did not think the Mavs would repeat going to the finals this year. You can't have Kyrie, Luka, and Klay on the court at the same time and play great playoff defense. Yes, OKC lost last year, but this year they are better everywhere and more mature.

The weird part was the first game after the trade against the Celtics, the team was so fired up. Played excellent defense and beat the Celtics. They all looked so energized and ready to prove themself. It was even better when Anthony Davis played his first game. Klay Thompson has never looked happier in a Mavs uniform. The defensive scheme was different and they set a new team high in blocks. It was so fun to watch.
Max Christie has also been a ton of fun to watch, he is averaging 17ppg 48% in 6 games for the Mavs. He has also been the best defender for the Mavs.

At the end of the day, Nico might be right. Has there ever been an NBA finals MVP that was considered lazy except Shaq? You hear about Curry, Dirk, Kobe, LeBron, etc. and the one thing they have in common is work ethic. Nobody has ever talked about Luka's work ethic. Nico might be right that Luka will never be a finals MVP because of his persona.

By the way, the team has won 4 out of their 5 last games, all against playoff teams. They only lost by one point to the Kings. They have been starting two g-leaguers in Prosper and Kessler Edwards because they don't have any centers, all injured (Davis, Lively, Gafford and Powell)

This could be true - it would be historically unusual, but reasonable minds can disagree. And I actually don't mind that they traded Luka.
It's the return that he got and the way that he did it that's unforgiveable.

Who do you think they could have got? Because we see these trades today with a ton of picks, but there is never a star player. Nico said that he only wanted Davis, but there was one other team.

[Baz]

I was pissed and im still pissed that they not only traded a 25 year old generational talent for a 32 year old injury prone player along with one draft pick and an ok player, but im almost more angry about the fact that they didnt see what deal they could have gotten and just settled for the Lakers offer. Would Orlando have given up Banchero? Toronto Scottie Barnes? Davis is still a top 10 player but his age and injury history would have been a no for me. To answer your question, at some point you have to move on and support the team.

Dirk is the Mavericks best player all time not Luka also

Dirk is the greatest Maverick of all time but Luka is/was better than Dirk.