DALLAS — Anthony Davis made a bold statement in his first game for the Dallas Mavericks, marking his presence with an eye-catching dunk on his own missed shot just five minutes into the match, while enthusiastically engaging with a lively crowd by shouting, “I’m here!”
However, the 10-time All-Star’s contribution was cut short during Dallas’ 116-105 win against the Houston Rockets due to an injury. This only intensified the frustration among fans who were still reeling from the significant trade that transferred their 25-year-old star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Fans were not only disappointed to see a beloved player leave but were also critical of General Manager Nico Harrison for trading away a promising young talent shortly after supporting the Mavericks’ run to the NBA Finals. They questioned the decision to acquire a 31-year-old player with a history of injuries, raising doubts about the team’s future.
Davis, who left the game late in the third period due to tightness in his groin and quadriceps, tried to ease anxieties among fans. He mentioned that the tightness stemmed from a previously sustained abdominal strain, which had kept him sidelined for his last two games with the Lakers prior to the trade and the first two games he was eligible to play with Dallas. “It wouldn’t loosen up and let go,” he remarked about his condition, emphasizing it was not serious.
In his brief time on the court, Davis showcased his skills with an impressive tally of 26 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists. He demonstrated his potential to make a strong impact and won over some of the crowd, despite many wearing Doncic’s No. 77 jersey as they grappled with their team’s recent upheaval.
Outside the American Airlines Center, protests were evident two hours before the game. Fans, still coming to terms with Doncic’s departure, gathered to voice their discontent through signs and chants aimed at Harrison. The mood reflected a collective sense of betrayal, with some likening the situation to a divorce. “It’s going to take time,” Davis acknowledged regarding the emotional strain.
As various protests unfolded, many attendees eventually took their seats for the game. Mavs center Daniel Gafford reflected on the situation, saying, “Seeing a lot of 77s in the stands, it kinda hits hard,” and reminding everyone that they need to adjust their perspectives as this is a business.
The protests included a cargo van displaying a sign reading “Inside Traitor,” featuring Harrison’s image, and a pickup truck with a bold message calling for his termination. Tensions were further heightened towards the newly installed ownership from the Adelson and Dumont families, who acquired the Mavericks recently. Fans expressed concerns that the trade might hint at a potential move for the franchise to Las Vegas.
With a legacy of allegiance to loyal players like Dirk Nowitzki, who played his entire career with the Mavericks, fans felt a profound sense of loss. Many had hoped Doncic’s trajectory would mirror Nowitzki’s, attributing the sudden shift to the new ownership. “They don’t know the Mavericks fans. They don’t know how beloved Dirk was and then Luka was,” lamented one longtime season ticket holder.
The disdain directed at Harrison was palpable, and many fans demanded he acknowledge and rectify the hurt they felt from the trade. While Harrison was noticeably absent from crucial team events following the trade announcement, some fans felt a simple acknowledgment of their pain would go a long way towards healing their relationship with the team.
Davis’s initial performance aligned with coach Jason Kidd’s expectations, even as Kidd himself recognized the strangeness of the day, recalling his own trade from the Mavericks years ago. He mentioned, “Everybody wants to talk about the trade. Yeah, it’s different. We keep pushing forward.”
For longtime fans like Mirsad Grabus, who first became enamored with the Mavericks when Doncic was drafted, the emotional toll was evident. Celebrating his 60th birthday with a Mavs-themed celebration soon turned bittersweet upon learning of the trade. “It’s like I lost a kid,” said Grabus, expressing his sorrow over the hero’s relocation to the Lakers.
The emotional scars from the trade run deep within the Dallas community, and moving forward will certainly require patience and understanding from both fans and the franchise.
