Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving REFUSED to follow Mark Cuban’s plan of intentionally losing games, claims NBA insider
Dallas Mavericks Fined $750,000 for Tanking: Reports Suggest Team Planned to Tank Earlier
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Luka Doncic (centre, covering his face with his hand) was taken off off during the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls (image via USA Today Sports Photo)
The Dallas Mavericks have been fined $750,000 by the NBA for “conduct detrimental to the league” after they rested key players while still mathematically alive in the play-in race. This move was seen as an attempt to improve their draft position, rather than win games and make the playoffs.
The NBA’s Executive VP and Head of Basketball Operations, Joe Dumars, has stated that the Dallas Mavericks’ actions in resting star players Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving during their final regular season games to secure their top-10 protected pick was a breach of the sport’s integrity. Consequently, the team has been fined.
Although the Mavericks’ chances of making the play-in tournament became bleak after a 1-7 stretch, they were still mathematically alive in the race. However, their decision to rest their best players to improve their draft position was seen as a clear attempt to tank and drew criticism from many in the NBA community.
The Dallas Mavericks planned to tank earlier
According to a report from Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, the Dallas Mavericks had a plan to tank even earlier in the season. In late March, the coaching staff met with players to discuss a strategy that involved giving heavier minutes to Markieff Morris and JaVale McGee as part of the tanking plan.
However, both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were reportedly unhappy with this approach and refused to sit out. Despite this, the Mavericks ultimately tanked their last two games of the season to secure better draft lottery odds, but it seems that this move may have damaged their relationship with their two top players during a crucial time for the franchise.
“The tanking was actually supposed to begin sooner,” O’Connor said. “My sources say that in late March, Dallas coaches met with players to discuss a plan for Markieff Morris and JaVale McGee to play heavier minutes. That is when the tanking was supposed to begin but Luka and especially Kyrie were agitated that the team was waving the white flag and both refused to sit.”
The cost of tanking in the NBA has been a topic of discussion for many years. While it’s clear that building a championship team can be expensive, it’s also becoming increasingly apparent that tanking can be costly as well. Not only does it damage the integrity of the sport, but it can also harm team morale and upset key players.
Despite having promising players like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the team’s latest controversy may have left a negative impact on their fans and players. Only time will tell if the team’s short-term strategy will hinder their long-term success.
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Vivek Yadav
(624 Articles Published)