The Dallas Mavericks’ season has devolved into farce. Controversial coaching decisions and key player departures have plunged the once-great franchise into turmoil. The chaos really started when Mark Cuban’s right-hand man, Nico Harrison, chose to fire Casey Smith. Smith had been the team’s longtime head strength and conditioning coach. This decision caught the entire organization by surprise. It led to significant fallout, including franchise legend Dirk Nowitzki leaving his ambassadorial post within the organization.
Nowitzki—who had put his faith in Smith, naming him one of his greatest allies on the Mavs’ side—was left feeling distanced by Harrison’s juxtaposition. Smith’s sudden firing reverberated across the entire organization. By June, the toll was evident as Jeremy Holsopple, the director of athletic performance, and his office-mate, manual therapist Casey Spangler, both chose to leave. Holsopple was named the NBA’s Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year in 2021. His departure, understandably, now casts major doubt over the future of the organization.
Harrison had imagined a crew brimming with “cheerleader energy.” This concept was not welcomed by all parties involved. The dynamic became contentious when he decided to hire director of player health and performance Johann Bilsborough before filling the head coach position. This decision caused immediate tension between the newbies, especially with Keith Belton. Both Bilsborough and Belton were under an oppressive microscope. This was even more the case for Belton, who was making his debut season in the NBA prior to this season. Dysfunction persisted, setting off warning bells for Bilsborough. He didn’t waste any time sending rookie center Dereck Lively for a CT scan to settle the health issue causing him concerns.
The Mavericks would not speak to the circumstances surrounding Bilsborough and Belton. This decision only stoked the flames of speculation regarding their future roles within the organization. According to one such team source, the internal strife explained it all, stating of that internal strife, “He was 100 percent threatened by him.” This comment illustrates the frosty relationship that existed between Harrison and his employees.
As the Mavericks rushed to get ready for a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, emotions were still raw. Lively was set to perform at home two days later. There was always doubt about his playing due to the worries of Bilsborough.
The team was dealt another blow when Scott Tomlin, the vice president of basketball communications, took a new job. He is currently the executive director of the DN Companies and The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation. Tomlin’s departure underscored yet another blow to a franchise dealing with its own significant burdens.
Harrison’s leadership style has drawn fire from insiders. A team source commented on his approach, saying, “If you’re not around the team all the time, you shouldn’t be involved in decision-making.” This sentiment ran deep in the organization and employees were being crushed under Harrison’s autocratic leadership style.
During a tumultuous video conference meeting organized by Harrison after Smith’s termination, he tried to retake control. During this meeting, he declared, “He’s going to show that I’m in charge and nobody else can question that.” Even this claim served only to stoke more staff rebellion.
The Mavericks’ ineptitude has certainly raised eyebrows around the league from players and insiders alike. “Over the past year, you could already see the team heading in a different direction,” Nowitzki noted, reflecting on the changes that have unfolded within the organization.
Those same incidents at the heart of the Mavericks’ culture crisis have overshadowed the team’s compelling 2019-20 season. They have raised eyebrows regarding the future direction of the team. According to one person who viewed the surveillance video of a recent fight inside the union, “It wasn’t fist fighting but they were definitely fighting.” This quote highlights the deep fear and anxiety between employees.
Of course, as players continue to wrestle with their performance on the court, there have been feelings exchanged with rumors of some kind of accountability. “You don’t perform like that… if you’re a fat, drunk pig,” remarked a friend of Doncic’s, alluding to concerns regarding player fitness and focus amid ongoing chaos.
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