Another day, another Nico Harrison interview gone south! “I did know that Luka was important to the fan base. I didn’t quite know it what level.” That’s what the Mavericks GM said in a mandatory press conference. At this point, the issues from the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade haven’t worked for the Dallas franchise or its fan base. Plus, the interviews do no favors. So, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal have a solution to deal with the issues.
“Listen, man, I consider you a friend of mine, Nico Harrison. I wish you nothing but the best. I thought you did a good job last year with the Mavs, and obviously whatever happened this year didn’t work out. Man, don’t do no more press conferences.” Charles Barkley may have said what everybody is feeling about Harrison’s media duties. Do less of them as the team that reached the NBA Finals, crashed out in the Play-in tournament.
“I don’t even know what you’re doing, I really don’t. I got sympathy and love for you, but I have zero idea what you’re trying to do. This war is over, brother. You’ve taken the L. I hope you keep your job, I hope that team gets healthy, but man, don’t do anymore interviews. Please don’t.” As per Chuck, the salvaging time after the Luka trade was done, as the Dallas season came to an end exactly 77 days after the trade. Even Shaquille O’Neal shared his two cents.
“His problem is he wants to be liked when he should just be focused on doing his job,” Shaq said. “He made the decision — whether it was his decision or the upper decision — that’s it. We live in a world (where) you’re gonna like it or you’re not gonna like it. I can tell by his answer (that) he wants to be liked.” The Lakers legend said that all Harrison is saying is “corporate answer.” But the TNT analyst did offer some soothing words that the GM would have liked.
Shaq & Chuck react to Nico Harrison’s presser from today: https://t.co/Sza9Vji1AZ pic.twitter.com/aqyOD8CGkG
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 21, 2025
“My advice to you, brother, is just do your job and just go with the flow. As long as the owners got your back, you should be fine.” Charles Barkley did agree that the owners are backing the GM, despite trading away the franchise cornerstone in Luka Doncic. Later added that Harrison should “Lay low” as there is no immediate win for the Mavs.
Charles Barkley has been backing Nico Harrison despite the fanbase not approving of the trade
Right after the trade, there was a sour feeling in Dallas. The fans started ‘Fire Nico’ chants, plus some reportedly canceled season tickets despite being ardent supporters of the franchise. Immediately after the trade, many predicted the Lakers would be the better team of the two, despite Nico Harrison suggesting their team was defensively better. Even Charles Barkley co-signed with this thought of the Mavs GM.
“OKC (is) my favorite to win this thing, but, man, the Dallas Mavericks, they might have just become the second-best team in the Western Conference.” The support would continue on another broadcast of Inside the NBA. Chuck was so confident that he predicted the team to finish top 6 in the West. “To me, the wild card of the Mavericks, like, first of all, let’s give Nico Harrison some credit. The trades he made last year, and obviously the Luka thing…Everybody’s upset about the Luka thing, but if it wasn’t for the trades he made last year, the Mavs would not have made it to the finals.”
So, Nico Harrison has some support. But the more interviews and press conferences the GM addresses, the situation worsens. That’s why Charles Barkley and O’Neal advised that the GM should continue doing his work and not conduct interviews.
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