04-08-2025, 09:38 AM
(04-08-2025, 07:10 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: TAKE THIS WITH A GIGANTIC GRAIN OF SALT!
I read this on a Reddit post from an anonymous dude. So no legit sources and you shouldn’t necessarily believe this…. And yet, reading this in how the Mavs FO is operating, it makes sense:
“They will say anything at this point. I know a couple of people with connections in the season ticket sales office and had lunch with one of them a couple days ago. Let's just say, sales aren't going well. Even the normal scalpers are backing off because, shocking I know, AD isn't as much of a draw as Luka and costs for the lower bowl seats are like 20 percent more next year.
The Mavs ownership is in full panic mode because their short term corporate sponsors are looking at them as a toxic brand. Rumor around the office is that Nico came off so poorly, they have instructed him not to say anything, lest he piss off the remaining fanbase more.
Basically, everytime they do anything, it just angers the fans more. The solution seems obvious, fire Nico, have Dumont disappear into the background and start a campaign of healing with the base. Unfortunately, they are still in the mindset that this was the right move. They are trying to speak into existence a championship for the Mavs, because they don't want to admit they are wrong and they believe that a championship will make fans forget about the mistreatment.”
I think the first part (up to ownership in panic) is totally realistic, whether the source is legit or not. From then on, it gets more interesting.
A good FO/owner would have to predict the backlash. I think it was obvious to happen. No one reasonable could think that Davis would just replace income generated by Luka. Injuries and lack of results made things worse. Probably they didn't think Davis would miss 18 games and obviously couldn't predict the Irving injury, which made things worse. Still, a good FO would absorb the backlash and continue with the plan.
A bad FO/owner would be surprised by the backlash. I can buy that Nico was so blinded by his irrational feelings towards Luka (I think this irrational feelings were the main driver for the trade) that he was actually surprised vast majority of fans didn't share his feelings. Dumont is the guy that should provide a more rational view. This kind of decision is on owner, you can't just leave it to a "hired hand".
It is obvious that the plan was to win now with Irving, AD and probably another move or two in the summer. I wonder if Irving injury changes that. Their window is short and I am not sure they can afford to wait for him. They would really become extremely hated franchise if they let him go. But then again, can it really get worse for them? Their only chance to start winning back the fanbase is to win quick. So if Irving needs most of next season to come back and perhaps never looks the same again, will they really be willing to wait for him?