Dirk Nowitzki didn’t mince phrases concerning the Mavericks’ choice to fireside basic supervisor Nico Harrison.
The Dallas legend spoke overtly on Friday concerning the transfer that occurred earlier this week, saying the group had reached some extent the place it couldn’t hold working beneath the cloud of uncertainty surrounding Harrison’s tenure.
“I believe there’s simply too many distractions, an excessive amount of occurring to maintain going this manner,” Nowitzki mentioned on Prime Video’s NBA pregame present, pointing to the extent of dysfunction that had constructed up over the previous a number of months.
He added that he felt the Mavs waited too lengthy to make the decision.
“This transfer ought to have in all probability occurred this summer season, actually,” he mentioned. “I didn’t need this detrimental power and this black cloud over the Cooper Flagg period, however right here we are actually.”
Nowitzki additionally addressed the controversial commerce that led to this, in fact, the now-infamous February deal that despatched Luka Doncic to the Lakers in trade for a package deal highlighted by Anthony Davis.
Like many others, Nowitzki wasn’t proud of the transfer.
“This commerce simply made no sense. It made no sense to the followers,” he mentioned. “And, actually, there was no clarification for it, both.”
He famous that the way in which the deal was dealt with and its ripple results contributed to the disconnect between the entrance workplace and the fanbase.
“Hearth Nico” chants turned a theme in Mavericks video games and on social media, even after having final luck this summer season, profitable the NBA Draft Lottery regardless of having nowhere close to the shortest odds.
They chose Cooper Flagg at No. 1 total, who’s projected to be a future star, however hasn’t fairly seemed the half on a constant foundation but, maybe largely because of the context in Dallas, together with an imperfect roster and accidents surrounding the 18-year-old Duke product.
The Corridor of Famer mentioned the complete state of affairs left supporters feeling robbed of seeing the long-term imaginative and prescient for Doncic play out.
“It was very unhappy how that ended, and it felt just like the followers really feel like they obtained robbed of truly seeing the tip, seeing this by, seeing Luka turn into hopefully a champion sooner or later,” Nowitzki mentioned. “It seems like they by no means obtained to see the tip to this.
“This was very heartbreaking, however now, I believe it’s time to maneuver on. It’s time to maneuver on now. Concentrate on this staff, on this franchise. This positively set the franchise again however now it’s about constructing it again up. Clearly, this staff is struggling a bit. It wants the help, all they will get. Hopefully, we are able to have a very good 12 months right here any longer and cheer the staff up.”
