Dallas Mavericks’ general manager Nico Harrison was once again subject to unfavorable chants by the Mavs faithful on Monday night.
During the fourth quarter of the 116-114 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, a large section of the arena loudly chanted “Fire Nico!” after the visitors cut the Dallas Mavericks‘ 13-point lead to one.
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Cooper Flagg enjoyed what was his best game for Dallas on Monday nightCredit: Getty
The loss, which dropped the Mavs to 3-8 for the season, came despite No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg enjoying his best game in a Maverick jersey as he dropped a career-high 26 points.
“Fire Nico” chants have been occurring ever since former Dallas superstarLuka Doncic was sensationally traded away from the team in February of this year, a decision driven by Harrison.
Since that trade, Doncic has been a revelation for the Los Angeles Lakers. The Slovenian began this season by dropping 40+ points in his opening three games and is already one of the MVP frontrunners.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks have struggled with Anthony Davis, who joined Dallas from the Lakers as part of the Doncic trade, suffering from repeated injuries.
And while Flagg’s arrival eased some of the pain from Doncic’s exit, he is more of an investment for the future.
Mavs governor Pat Dumont was sitting courtside as the chants rang out on Monday evening, while Harrisson was seen further up in the stands, as the pair showed no emotions to what was being said.
“Everybody has an opinion, so everybody’s entitled to that,” Dallas forward PJ Washington said of the chants.
“I mean, it is what it is. At the end of the day, we just got to come out here and do our job — and that’s to be professional, play basketball and try to win each and every night.
“It is what it is at this point. Just got to keep moving forward.”
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Nico Harrisson just sat there with no reaction to the loud chants calling for him to be firedCredit: @MrBuckBuckNBA
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To make matters worse, the Mavericks lost by two points to the BucksCredit: Getty
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Had the Mavericks enjoyed a better start to the season, Harrison would likely be under no pressureCredit: GettyNico Harrison is on the hot-seat
With the Mavericks struggling, it’s unsurprising that fans are directing their anger towards Harrison, who they seemingly have not forgiven for trading Doncic.
As a result, speculation has intensified about whether he will be fired.
According to NBA insider and talkSPORT contributor Marc Stein, the “ceaseless negativity” around the Mavericks is troubling the ownership.
“With the Mavericks already in a significant hole when it comes to simply reaching the playoffs, league sources tell The Stein Line that the rising and virtually ceaseless negativity that surrounds the franchise is indeed wearing on and troubling ownership,” Stein reported in his Substack.
Stein also added that while Dumont was to give Harrison more time, it is accepted that replacing him could win back alienated fans.
“[Patrick Dumont] seemingly prefers to give Harrison more time, contemplating whether an in-season change is the wisest course for the Mavericks to try to forge ahead post-Dončić has become unavoidable at the highest levels of the organization,” he added.
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Many of Harrison’s issues can be traced back to his surprise decision to trade Luka DoncicCredit: Getty
“If Dumont eventually concludes that a mid-stream change is the best course—while it is by no means clear at this juncture where the Mavericks would turn in terms of a long-term successor—it’s believed that step would be taken not only for its vibe shift potential and as a means to try to win back alienated fans.
“But also based on the premise that the front office executive who conceived and pushed for the widely criticized Dončić deal can no longer be the one trying to pilot the organization past it.”
ESPN have reported that it is a matter of “when not if” Harrison will be fired.
“You got to focus. You got to give the fans something to be proud of. I think our effort was incredible tonight, the last couple games,” four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson told reporters.
“So, fans will be fans. Can only control what you can control, so they’re going to do what they do, but it’s important for us to just stay the course.”
Up next for the struggling Mavericks is the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.
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