Dallas Mavericks fans angry at the team’s treatment of Luka Doncic were left even more bemused by an online video posted by the team.
This past week Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts admitted he underestimated the fan backlash to the team trading away Luka Doncic.
Fans chanted and protested outside the arena, with anger expressed inside it too, with GM Nico Harrison attracting most of the ire.
Others have pointed towards the ownership, with team now looking to plot a path forward, amid an injury-hit new-look roster.
Ahead of the Dallas Mavericks’ return to action, the team released a hype video across their social accounts.
Yet eagle-eyed fans spotted that where footage featured Luka Doncic in a Mavs jersey, he was edited out with pictures of the team logo.
This elicited an angry response, with fans seeing the move as more disrespect from the franchise towards Doncic.
Recently head coach Jason Kidd held a press conference where he declined to refer to Doncic by name.
One fan ranted: “I don’t even have words for this… They censored him like South Park censored a character.
“Just don’t use these clips if you want to erase him from Mavs history When you want to focus on the basketball, the organization does some weird stuff like this.”
Another fan account posted on X to express their incredulity at the situation.
More fans posted to X to hit out at the team: “This is actually disgusting, didn’t think it could keep getting worse day by day,” one wrote.
Another added: “That’s insane and looks stupid and petty!!!”
With a further message reading: “Im sorry but this is why it’s hard to get back in it and support the team like before, the whole organization just seems different.”
“This is horrendous. Another middle finger to fans and Luka. You’d think he murked someone the way he’s being treated.”
One explanation was offered on social media by former Mavs staffer Bobby Karalla.
He posted: “Former team guy here! Every year we had to get rid of images of traded players representing the team ASAP across all media.
“Social, website, videos, magazines, yearbook, etc. They don’t work there anymore. I know emotions are still high, but this isn’t anything out of the norm.”
Another fan tried to square off the two, asking why the Mavs simply didn’t avoid the situation altogether.
The poster wrote: “Just can’t stay out of their own way man. Why not just use highlights that don’t have him or wait to release until you have enough highlights to not have him included.”
This is a reminder that the wounds of the Doncic trade have not healed, and could continue to be high approaching the team’s match-up at Luka’s Lakers next week.
