Latest news with #Mav
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
CMU commencement Saturday at Stocker
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — Colorado Mesa University (CMU) will hold its spring 2025 commencement, Saturday, at Stocker Stadium. 'It's going to be, what we expect, our largest class walking in the commencement ceremony,' said Public Information Officer for CMU Kelsey Coleman. A total of 1,668 degrees will be handed out: 489 Certificates 191 Associate 901 Baccalaureate 4 Graduate certificates 83 Masters Former CMU graduate and current Arizona Cardinals coach Ben Steele will give the commencement speech. 'He's just a great representation for our students, to show what you can accomplish as a Mav,' says Coleman. 'He came here, he studied, he found his Mavoli. So, it's just a really awesome opportunity for students to see where life can take you after this step.' Parking lots will be open one hour before each ceremony, guest tickets are not required. Online streaming links for the ceremony are listed below. 8 a.m. stream link 11:45 a.m. stream link Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Axios
Mavericks GM Harrison defends Dončić trade
Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison doubled down on his belief that "defense wins championships" in an end-of-season news conference Monday. Why it matters: Harrison said that he knew former Mav Luka Dončić "was important to the fan base" but "didn't quite know to what level" before trading him to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis. Fans have railed against Harrison since the trade, regularly chanting, "Fire Nico," at games. Driving the news: The news conference comes less than a week after a closed doors roundtable with reporters and Harrison. No cameras or recordings were allowed, which didn't play well for Harrison among fans and on social media. The intrigue: Hours before the planned news conference, ESPN published a report detailing what it described as dysfunction and discord in the Mavs front office. The story recounts the firing of health and performance director Casey Smith, who Dirk Nowitzki credits with extending the basketball great's career to 21 seasons. Employees told ESPN reporter Tim MacMahon that Smith was fired for being "too negative." Harrison is known for preferring a positive spin. Between the lines: The Mavs were plagued with injuries before and after Dončić was traded. Davis was hurt in his first game, Kyrie Irving suffered a season-ending ACL injury, and Dereck Lively II missed months with a stress fracture. Harrison said the fan anger stemmed from not seeing the winning team he envisioned. "If we would've put the team that we intended to put on the floor, I think that would've quieted some of the outrage," Harrison said.
New York Times
10-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Luka Dončić, Mavericks fans seek closure in Lakers star's first game in Dallas since trade
DALLAS — As the Los Angeles Lakers took the court for pregame warmups Wednesday, the crowd at American Airlines Center loudly cheered for the visitors. Luka Dončić jogged toward the basket the Lakers were shooting on and casually floated a basketball off the shot clock buzzer, and it fell through the net. Advertisement It was a little bit of Luka magic right away. In his 6 1/2-year run with the Dallas Mavericks, their fans were regularly treated to Dončić hitting all sorts of difficult shots. Wednesday's game gave those fans the chance to show their appreciation for Dončić, who last season won a scoring title and led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals, only for the franchise to trade him in February. 'I don't even know how I played this game,' Dončić said. 'So many emotions.' Dončić's eyes welled with tears when the Mavericks played his pregame tribute video on the JumboTron. Fans who had watched Dončić play since he was a teenager felt the same way. Luka Dončić was moved to tears while watching his tribute video from the Mavericks 🥹 🎥 @ — The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 9, 2025 'I was crying,' Katy Dotson, a 31-year-old from Mesquite, said. 'It was never supposed to happen this way. For the past two months, we've been trying to get closure, but seeing everything that was in that video just broke me. They even included his work with the kids at the end, and it just reminds you how sweet of a man he is — on top of an incredible basketball player. It's just so sad that he's not a Mav anymore.' Once the game started, Dončić was cheered almost every time he touched the ball. He put on a show against his former team, scoring 31 points by halftime. He finished with 45 points, eight rebounds and six assists. He became the first player since Wilt Chamberlain to score 45 points for and against one team in a single season, and the Lakers beat the Mavericks 112-97. 'It was beautiful,' Mavericks forward Naji Marshall said. 'Luka means so much to this city and vice versa. Luka moved from his country to America. I know it's a surreal feeling for him. It's all love.' Advertisement The Mavericks traded up in the 2018 NBA Draft so they could select Dončić. In his first year, he was teammates with franchise legend Dirk Nowitzki and won Rookie of the Year. Mavericks fans believed Dončić could spend the entirety of his career in Dallas, just as Nowitzki had. Dončić wanted to sign a contract extension with the team this summer, but Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison had other plans. 'Luka's emotions watching that just proved his words all along that he never planned to leave,' Dotson said. 'He was gonna be our guy forever.' The Athletic polled 13 Mavericks fans during Wednesday's game. Asked why they decided to attend, 10 fans responded that they were there to support Dončić and/or protest the trade. That polling, while unscientific, seemed to represent the mood inside the building. Wednesday's game was a celebration of Dončić's talent. 'It was kind of like Dirk part two, but he was an even better player,' said Rob Fleming, a 42-year-old Mavericks fan from Plano. 'That's no slight to Dirk; even he's said that before. But yeah, man, I had just had my first daughter when the Mavs drafted Luka, and it honestly felt like they were both my children. And I didn't even have to change Luka's stinky diapers, so that was cool.' While Dončić was showered in love, Harrison was jeered. Fans chanted 'Fi-re Ni-co' when Mavericks players stepped to the free-throw line. With 4:59 remaining, shooting guard Max Christie missed two free throws while fans were calling for Harrison's job. On the Lakers' next possession, LeBron James hit a driving layup, which put the Lakers ahead by 8. With a win secured, the Lakers intentionally fouled with 1:34 remaining and got Dončić out. The crowd embraced him as he walked toward the Lakers bench. After the game, Dončić lingered on the court and hugged several of his former teammates. He also hugged Anthony Davis, who was as shocked as Dončić was about the midseason trade. Advertisement 'Just told him good game,' Davis said. 'He played a hell of a game. It was a respect thing.' In Dončić's postgame interview with ESPN, he expressed appreciation for the Mavericks fan base while also indicating he was ready to turn the page. 'I love the fans,' Dončić said. 'I love this city. But it's time to move on.' Did Wednesday's game give Dončić closure? 'Hard question,' Dončić said. 'For sure, it's a little bit more. But talking about closure, sometimes it's hard. I spent a lot of time here. Great moments. But I have to focus on (the Lakers).' Mavericks fans have to try to move on, too. There will still be plenty of painful moments. Dončić was theirs until, one night, he wasn't. 'They just snatched him away from us,' Dotson said. 'I hate it so much, and I really hope whoever is responsible for it loses their jobs.'
USA Today
22-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki explains support for Luka Doncic following trade to Lakers
Hear this story Dirk Nowitzki made a name for himself during his 21-year NBA career as the preeminent star of the Dallas Mavericks. Nowitzki was a 14-time All-Star and the 2007 Most Valuable Player with the Mavericks and led them to the 2011 NBA championship. His loyalty was rewarded with a white bronze statue outside the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Nowitzki, who inducted in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 202 has also displayed the same level of loyalty to former teammate Luka Dončić. The stars played together for one year in Dallas – Nowitzki's final season in the NBA and Dončić's first. Here's how Nowitzki has remained a symbol of support in recent weeks: 'THIS IS A FRESH START'Dončić comments on trade to Lakers Dirk Nowitzki explains his support for Luka Doncic Dončić was in his seventh season as a featured member of the Mavericks' roster before the organization decided to trade away the international superstar to the Los Angeles Lakers in a transaction that featured Anthony Davis. The crowd inside Arena in Los Angeles showed their support for Dončić when he made his official debut with the Lakers in a 132-113 victory over the Utah Jazz on Feb. 10. Among those fans in the crowd were Dončić's family and Nowitzki. "We texted a bit, and I felt a little disappointed and sad for him,' Nowitzki said on 96.7 The Ticket in Dallas-Fort Worth. '... He invited me out to his first game in LA. I felt like I had to support him." Nowitzki and Dončić have become close following their one shared season and the German legend's retirement, and Nowitzki has served as a mentor to the Slovenian. 'IT FELT AMAZING':Luka Dončić feels Lakers fans' love in debut Reaction to Dirk Nowitzki being at Lakers game to support Luka Doncic Nowitzki shared on social media in the hours leading up to Dončić's debut that he was planning to be in attendance for the game. "I will always be a Mav for life," Nowitzki said at the beginning of the tweet. While Nowitzki's loyalty was never really questioned, his appearance at the Lakers game still served as odd timing for some Dallas fans, who were not pleased with the organization's decision to trade their superstar away. Several fans expressed their displeasure with the team by speaking out near Nowitzki's statue in Dallas. Even Nowitzki himself admitted that being at the Lakers game was a bit awkward for him. "He's a good kid so I felt like I had to support him with this new chapter," Nowitzki said. "I wanted to be there for him and his family and show support but you guys saw my face. It was weird and it was surreal to see him play for the Lakers. "At the end of the day, I will never be a Lakers fan but I will always be a Luka fan." How did Dirk Nowitzki react to the Luka Doncic trade? Nowitzki said he was on vacation in the Maldives when he heard about the trade that sent Dončić to the Lakers. "I was as shocked and surprised as everybody was," Nowitzki said. "I just spent the next hour following everything on social media."
New York Times
11-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Mark Cuban was shouting in Dallas, but Dirk Nowitzki's actions spoke loudest in L.A.
On a night when Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban engaged in a shouting match with a frustrated fan inside American Airlines Center, the loudest statement anyone made about the team's decision to trade Luka Dončić took place in California. Dirk Nowitzki, the most beloved player in Mavericks franchise history, traveled to Los Angeles. He was there to watch Dončić's Lakers debut Monday. Nowitzki wanted to support his friend and mentee as he began a new chapter in his career. Dončić looked rusty in his first game in 6 1/2 weeks, but there were flashes of the shot-making and playmaking brilliance that became common during his Mavericks tenure. Dončić scored 14 points as the Lakers crushed the lowly Utah Jazz 132-113. I will always be a Mav for life, but had to come support my guy 77 @luka7doncic in the first game of his new chapter! — Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) February 11, 2025 Nowitzki expressed shock via social media in the early morning hours on Feb. 2 when news broke that the Mavericks were trading Dončić. Nowitzki and Dončić were teammates for one season in 2018-19. In retirement, Nowitzki watched Dončić carry the Mavericks to a Western Conference finals in 2022, score 73 points in a regular-season game, make five All-NBA First Teams and average 28.9 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.1 assists in last year's playoffs, which culminated in an NBA Finals appearance. Advertisement In Dallas, the first nine days after the trade were chaotic. While the Mavericks completed their five-game road trip, fans gathered in front of the Nowitzki statue at PNC Plaza and held a mock funeral. On Saturday, the Mavericks played their first home game in 12 days, and a group of roughly 100 fans protested the Dončić trade outside American Airlines Center. Anthony Davis, the 10-time All-Star Dallas acquired in the trade, dominated in his Mavericks debut before exiting late in the third quarter with a left adductor strain. Davis insisted it was nothing serious. However, Davis was unable to play Monday and is expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks. GO DEEPER Mavs' Anthony Davis to miss multiple weeks; Kyrie Irving takes All-Star spot On Monday, the Mavericks lost Daniel Gafford — their last healthy center with real NBA experience — to a right knee sprain in the second quarter. They kept the game close against the Sacramento Kings, but what happened on the court was overshadowed by the scene in the stands. Security ejected multiple Mavericks fans. One fan was booted for holding up a sign that displayed what Mavericks officials deemed 'derogatory characterization' toward general manager Nico Harrison. The sign read, 'FIRE NICO.' The Mavericks said it was a violation of the NBA Fan Code of Conduct. Earlier in the game, that same fan had mouthed the phrase 'Fire Nico' when he was shown on the Jumbotron. A second Mavericks fan was escorted out of the building after engaging in a verbal back-and-forth with Cuban. A video showed Cuban telling the fan, 'Shut the f— up and sit down.' The Mavericks said the fan was 'intoxicated, disruptive and uncooperative,' another violation of the NBA Fan Code of Conduct. GO DEEPER Mavericks fan ejected after mouthing 'Fire Nico' during loss to Kings The irony of Monday's incident was that Cuban didn't support the decision to trade Dončić. Cuban purchased the Mavericks in 2000 and had a significant say in basketball personnel decisions until he sold his majority stake in the team to the Adelson family in 2023. Last weekend, Cuban hosted an event with former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates. 'If after you left Microsoft, you found out that Steve Ballmer traded Windows 11 — the new hot operating system — for Windows 10, the Hall of Fame but older, what would you do?' Cuban asked Gates. Here's that clip via Dallas Morning News on YouTube — Mavs Film Room 🐴🎥 (@MavsFilmRoom) February 8, 2025 It's impossible to separate Cuban's 22-year run as Mavericks majority owner from Nowitzki's career. The two of them chose to remain partners after experiencing a gut-wrenching collapse in the 2006 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat and suffering a stunning first-round upset in 2007 against the Golden State Warriors. In 2011, their loyalty to one another resulted in a championship. Advertisement On Christmas morning in 2022, Cuban spoke as the Mavericks unveiled a 24-foot bronze statue depicting Nowitzki's famous one-legged fadeaway shot. The words 'Loyalty never fades away' were inscribed on the base of the statue. Dončić played his last game for the Mavericks on Christmas 2024. He suffered a left calf strain in the second quarter of Dallas' Western Conference finals rematch against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Less than six weeks later, the Mavericks traded him. On Monday, Cuban sat in his usual baseline seat near the Mavericks' bench. Nowitzki was on the West Coast more than 1,400 miles away, watching Dončić's first game with the Lakers — a display of loyalty to the player who was supposed to be his heir in Dallas. (Photo of Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Dončić: Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
