The Dallas Mavericks were sent packing just days after general manager Nico Harrison doubled (and tripled, and quadrupled) down on his baffling justification for trading away Luka Dončić. That's fine — this team wasn't expected to do much in these NBA Playoffs, considering the injuries that have ravaged them since the stunning blockbuster swap with the Los Angeles Lakers. But how the team went out makes the whole thing even more painfully ironic.
Dallas never led in its NBA Play-In Tournament elimination game against the Memphis Grizzlies, going down by as many as 25 points. They committed 16 turnovers (conceding 24 points off said miscues) and shot 31.6 percent from three. Yet, at least from Harrison's perspective, the worst part of it all is that the Mavericks couldn't stop a nosebleed.
During his recent conversation with local media, Harrison allegedly uttered "defense wins championships" eight times. There's no footage to fall back on, since cameras and recording devices weren't allowed. But Harrison got an up-close look at those comments backfiring ... tremendously ... in Dallas' 120-106 loss to the Grizzlies.
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Nico Harrison's 'defense wins championships' stance blows up in his face in Mavs NBA Play-In Tournament loss to Grizzlies
Harrison sat near courtside as the Mavericks got their backside handed to them, specifically on the defensive end of the floor. He was visibly dissatisfied, watching Dallas surrender 49 points through the first 16 minutes or so of action. The ESPN camera crew was panning to him early and often, reminding us that this was his vision for the franchise once led by Dončić.
Mavericks star big man Anthony Davis, the centerpiece of the package they received for Dončić, scored 40 points before limping to the bench in the fourth quarter. But he got virtually no offensive help, excluding solid contributions from veteran sharpshooter Klay Thompson and undrafted up-and-coming point guard Brandon Williams. Two starters, P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II, went scoreless entirely despite logging over 20 minutes of action.
However, Harrison is merely reaping what he sowed. He wanted and willingly signed up for this when deciding to move on from Dončić. Now, the Mavs have a long offseason ahead to soak in and reflect on the unexpectedly chaotic 2024-25 campaign they endured.