Nico Harrison, the general manager of the Dallas Mavericks, is on the hot seat. Now tensions are rising behind the scenes within the organization over player health and performance management. Speculation around Harrison’s firing has been rampant, and understandably so. This couldn’t come at a better time, as the team has been beset by injuries to important players including Anthony Davis.
Anthony Davis has had a rough go with injuries since he came over to the Mavericks. Currently, he is working his way back from a left calf strain. He’s played in just 14 games since being traded to Dallas. Davis was first coming back from an abdominal injury. His luckless season became a truly unfortunate one when he tore his adductor muscle in a game against the Houston Rockets. It was this latest injury which kept him out for six weeks, causing even greater concerns about his long-term health.
The Mavericks have already listed Davis’ status as questionable for their next game against the Phoenix Suns. Increasingly ominous vibes have leaked from the situation since he first strained his calf. If the injury does not fully heal, he risks a much more serious and career threatening injury. Patrick Dumont, a legal representative for Davis, has been trying to obtain medical records pertaining to the player’s injury. First, he wants to make sure that the player isn’t putting himself in danger and making the injury worse.
Stephen A. Smith, the well-known sports commentator, recently offered his take on the unfolding crisis. He is worried about Harrison’s job and deeply concerned about what might be happening to Davis. Discord within the Mavericks organization soon emerged from a disagreement between Harrison and Johann Bilsborough. Bilsborough is the team’s director of health and performance. Harrison was a tireless champion for Davis’s right to return to play. While Bilsborough took more of a go-slow approach, leading to Davis not being approved to compete.
As the Mavs continue to deal with these aforementioned internal conflicts and injury issues, Nico Harrison’s future looks dubious at best. The potential firing of Harrison and the handling of Davis’s health could have significant implications for the team’s performance in the remainder of the season.
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