The NBA announced shocking news regarding the Dallas Mavs. On Saturday, the Association announced they had opened an investigation into the team for how they handled Friday night’s game.
Dallas notably held multiple players out from their game against the Chicago Bulls. Namely star point guard Kyrie Irving, who the Mavs acquired in a trade deadline blockbuster. The team also rested Luka Dončić after just a quarter of play on Slovenia Night at the American Airlines Center.
Now the NBA is firing back.
Tim MacMahon, NBA reporter for ESPN, tweeted the news on Saturday afternoon, via a quote from NBA spokesman Mike Bass. “The NBA commenced an investigation today in tot he facts and circumstances surrounding the Dallas Mavericks’ roster decisions and game conduct with respect to last night’s Chicago Bulls-Mavericks game, including the motivations behind those actions,” Bass said.
NBA spokesman Mike Bass: "The NBA commenced an investigation today into the facts and circumstances surrounding the Dallas Mavericks’ roster decisions and game conduct with respect to last night’s Chicago Bulls-Mavericks game, including the motivations behind those actions.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 8, 2023
The controversy here stems from the fact that the Mavs and the New York Knicks have an interesting scenario on their hands. Because of the Kristaps Porzingis trade, the Knicks own the Mavs’ 2023 pick. But only if it’s not in the Top 10 due to protections. Right now, the Mavs sit 10th, so the pick would belong to them and not New York.
Tanking has become a significant issue the sport and the sports world at large are facing.
The NBA world reacted to the shocking Mavs news.
The NBA app has been streaming Wembanyama French league games for free. So I think we know the motivations for teams keeping picks and tanking to do so to improve draft hopes. That’s not to defend Dallas or anybody here but it’s kind of funny to think of the NBA not approving. https://t.co/6maPCmEazT
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) April 8, 2023
For the integrity of the game, Cuban has to get maximum fine. NBA should give the fine money back to the fans who were in attendance last night. https://t.co/HgjHWkcYlT
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 8, 2023
Hot dog suit dot gif https://t.co/WXdSXfWiNE
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) April 8, 2023
Strip the pick protections and give it to the Knicks. https://t.co/P6sBwi5fjf
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) April 8, 2023
What is the NBA going to do? Punish the Mavs for not trying to win? What about when a team sits four starters on a load management game… punishment for that team. Ultimately you can’t force a team to try to win. Shitty situation https://t.co/y5Qif0xrFO
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) April 8, 2023
Even when the Mavs try to lose they do it poorly https://t.co/s97dxbJmBe
— Brady Klopfer (@BradyKlopferNBA) April 8, 2023
This is hilarious. If the NBA took action here it would be about hypocritical as it gets https://t.co/8pxB0yhLsF
— Doug Norrie (@DougNorrie) April 8, 2023
Not sure I understand the purpose of this outside of optics. Not going to do anything about it this year, and I don’t know how this can be policed in the future.
Also, how do you single out the Mavericks? They didn’t invent tanking in April of 2023. https://t.co/QPxz3N8jnu
— C&C Machine (@CCMachine) April 8, 2023
