(11-14-2025, 05:58 PM)fifteenth Wrote: I know Cuban was hands on at that time, but I believe Nico's title was General Manager and President of Basketball Operations. I'm not going to argue against the point that Cuban was hands on of course.

But Nico had all the power, except that he needed a "yes" from the ownership, when he made the Luka trade. 

I get that Nico has a lot of friends in the NBA. I thought about that regarding this topic. I guess I may falsely expect people to relay the facts at rather than misrepresent to protect friend. Factually speaking, this trade was Nico's baby. You don't even have to say anything bad about Nico just report, "Nico got fired by the fans for trading Luka."

Last thing. None of the handful of national talking heads that have called Nico the scapegoat, that I have heard, have said anything about the "fire Nico" chants from the fans. And they've said nothing about the fans being upset with ownership as well. 

The reporting may be based on "he's my dude," but it's still make believe.

(11-14-2025, 02:34 PM)fifteenth Wrote: I've seen way too many media talking heads say that Nico was a scapegoat. That's alternate universe talk.

(11-15-2025, 01:58 PM)hakeemfaan Wrote: https://x.com/NotJackKemp/status/1989681779880423502

The above is the correct take.

At the same time,  if you're on the outside, are sensitive to issues of race and are historically used to seeing minorities used as scapegoats, the easy to accept conclusion would be that the owner forced Nico's hand with the max contract coming up, because no one can outside can fathom that we had the once in a lifetime..heck maybe the first and only time ever...intersection of a clueless GM on a power trip and a dumb, first time owner who had zero clue about basketball that he was using Shaq as an example of work ethic and professionalism coming together to create the perfect disaster storm that they did.

I've not hidden the fact that Luka was not my fav player to watch but the timing and returns of the trade were so overwhelmingly ridiculous that I nor anyone else will ever be able to explain it.  Any explanations that Nico or Dumont will give will never make any sense either.

(11-15-2025, 01:58 PM)hakeemfaan Wrote: https://x.com/NotJackKemp/status/1989681779880423502

The above is the correct take.

At the same time,  if you're on the outside, are sensitive to issues of race and are historically used to seeing minorities used as scapegoats, the easy to accept conclusion would be that the owner forced Nico's hand with the max contract coming up, because no one can outside can fathom that we had the once in a lifetime..heck maybe the first and only time ever...intersection of a clueless GM on a power trip and a dumb, first time owner who had zero clue about basketball that he was using Shaq as an example of work ethic and professionalism coming together to create the perfect disaster storm that they did.

I've not hidden the fact that Luka was not my fav player to watch but the timing and returns of the trade were so overwhelmingly ridiculous that I nor anyone else will ever be able to explain it.  Any explanations that Nico or Dumont will give will never make any sense either.

(11-16-2025, 08:15 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: If true, it certainly feels like this was something personal.


https://x.com/KirkSeriousFace/status/1989336059646505431?s=20

(11-16-2025, 09:39 AM)Kidnova Wrote: I am a big proponent of Hanlon's Razer:  Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.  Substitute racism for malice and the same point applies.  I don't think race had anything to do with Nico's decision to trade Luka, nor Dumont's decision to fire Nico.  Nico simply didn't like Luka's work ethic and wanted to bring in somebody he knew from his past experience.

(11-16-2025, 10:38 AM)RoyTarpleysGhost Wrote: Marc Stein: Anthony Davis, who has missed 8 consecutive games has been downgraded from questionable to doubtful for Sunday's game against visiting Portland.

(11-16-2025, 08:15 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: If true, it certainly feels like this was something personal.


https://x.com/KirkSeriousFace/status/1989336059646505431?s=20

(11-16-2025, 10:38 AM)RoyTarpleysGhost Wrote: Marc Stein: Anthony Davis, who has missed 8 consecutive games has been downgraded from questionable to doubtful for Sunday's game against visiting Portland.

(11-16-2025, 06:22 PM)vfromlmf Wrote: Shams says AD will be out at least 7-10 more days so................