The American Airlines Center became a scene for Mavericks fans to express anger at GM Nico Harrison.
Even though it doesn’t feel real to a plethora of Dallas Mavericks fans, the organization is heading into a new era in franchise history.
The one where general manager Nico Harrison traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal to acquire Anthony Davis. The one trade that no one thought could ever happen.
Evidently, there has been a major uproar from Mavs fans, and in their first home game since the unexpected trade, things reached a boiling point for the fanbase outside the American Airlines Center.
Since green-lighting the Doncic trade, Harrison has given the Dallas community a chance to unite over a common goal – Anger towards the Mavericks general manager.
So much so that Harrison has reportedly requested increased security to protect himself from furious Dallas fans. But that didn’t stop fans from gathering outside the AAC and launching a full-blown protest against Harrison ahead of their game vs. the Houston Rockets.
A variety of chants broke out outside the arena, featuring profanity directed at the GM, including a wave of fans shouting ‘Nico sucks.’
Another group of fans want the current owners to ‘sell the team.’
But below that, the true intention behind the chants is to voice support Doncic. Fans urged the team to bring back Luka – which is impossible now, but showing support for him, claiming he is not out of shape.
All things considered, it’s tough to be a Mavs fan right now, but on a positive note, the organization landed Anthony Davis.
AD is unarguably playing with a chip on his shoulder and he has already recorded a double-double at halftime during his season debut for the Mavericks, propelled by a dominant first-quarter performance.
To be precise, Davis finished the first half with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists to his name while shooting 69% from the field.
He became the first player in NBA history to have a 20/10/5 stat line during the first half of a team debut. It may not be enough, but seeing Davis dominate in this manner should provide some relief to the heartbroken Mavs fans.
For most, the biggest takeaway from the Doncic trade was the sheer level of secrecy that Harrison and Lakers GM Rob Pelinka were able to maintain around it.
Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Jason Kidd, and the rest of the NBA community found out about the trade at the last second. Being the head coach of the team, many were shocked at Kidd being blindsided by the trade as well, but he stayed firm on his stance.
“Yeah, I’m an employee of the Mavs,” Kidd said on not knowing about the trade.
He added: “I don’t want to be the one that’s buying the groceries, just give me the groceries and I’ll figure it out.”
With each passing day, it seems like parting ways with Doncic was Nico’s decision. Now he has to live with the consequences of a move that many have labeled the worst trade in NBA history.
