Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis have “dustups” then compared them to Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry: “If you remember, when we first got Jet, Dirk was not a fan. Dirk did not like him.”
Porzingis said he didn’t know what Cuban was talking about: I’ve never had any problems with my teammates off the court, I’ve always gotten along very well with them.
But that didn’t really convince everyone.
Porzingis and Luka do not like each other.
I bet Porzingis and Doncic would like each other more if Porzingis played better.
Porzingis’ disappointing production is the root of a lot of problems in Dallas. Porzingis – after costing the Mavericks multiple picks and a max contract – just hasn’t played like the second star he was supposed to be
As a result, sometimes Doncic doesn’t pass to an open Porzingis – who’s not shy about demonstrating his displeasure. If Porzingis starts connecting on more shots, Doncic would probably feel better about passing to him. Dallas would win more, too.
So, this situation – like with Nowitzki and Terry – could snowball the other direction. The question: How do the Mavericks get everything rolling downhill in the first place? That might not be easy if there’s animosity between Doncic and Porzingis.
Perhaps, fresh voices from above – new general manager Nico Harrison and coach Jason Kidd – will help turn the tide.
More on the Mavericks
Report: Wizards, Magic to interview Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosley Report: Spencer Dinwiddie wants to go to Los Angeles, also wants big money Report: Mavericks hiring Nico Harrison as GM, Jason Kidd as coach
Report: Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis don’t like each other originally appeared on NBCSports.com