By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The blockbuster trade moving Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers was met by frustration for the decision of the front office of the Mavs.
Responding to the latest reactions, Patrick Dumont, the team governor, seemed sympathetic toward the angry fans and also defended general manager Nico Harrison to ‘make tough decisions and stand by them’ in an interview with Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News.
“It’s been an emotional week for everyone. It really has. I clearly understand that, and I really appreciate that,” he noted, “I’m a big Luka fan. My family are big Luka fans. I have a really deep appreciation for what he brought to this team, what he brought to Dallas, and the excitement he brings. He’s an electrifying player. I want you to know I really sympathize with all of our fans who feel hurt. Look, as far as I’m concerned, Luka is a Mav for life and I really wish him nothing but happiness and success in his career as he continues in LA.”
“In my mind the way teams win is by focus, by having the right character, by having the right culture, and having the right dedication to work as hard as possible to create a championship-winning outcome. And if you’re not doing that, you’re going to lose,” he added, “If you look at the greats in the league, the people you and I grew up with – Jordan, Bird, Kobe, Shaq — they worked really hard, every day, with a singular focus to win. And if you don’t have that, it doesn’t work. And if you don’t have that, you shouldn’t be part of the Dallas Mavericks.”
“I’ve said it all along: In Nico we trust,” Dumont mentioned during a press conference last Sunday, “You have to respect the track record. You have to respect his intellect. You have to respect his relationships and his judgment and his point of view and the way he communicates. I respect that. Our whole family respects it.”
In addition, he rejected the rumors attached to a potential financing motive in trading Doncic leading to relocating the franchise to Las Vegas.
“The Dallas Mavericks are not moving to Las Vegas,” he told The Dallas Morning News, “There is no question in that. That is the answer, unequivocally. The Dallas Mavericks are the Dallas Mavericks and they will be in Dallas.”