From NBA Finals to Play-In Elimination: How to Successfully Ruin a Franchise (Mavs) — By Nico Harrison

Dallas Mavericks’ 2025 Season Ends in Disappointment After Controversial Luka Doncic Trade

The Dallas Mavericks' 2025 season is officially over after being eliminated from the play-in tournament by the Memphis Grizzlies. Just last year, this was the same Mavericks team that won the Western Conference and made it to the NBA Finals. Fast forward a year, and the franchise has been plagued by injuries, questionable game management, and widespread distrust stemming from the shocking trade of their franchise player—Luka Dončić.

What makes it even more bizarre is how the trade unfolded. Dončić, who led the team to the Finals just months earlier, was reportedly traded in the “middle of the night,” without prior notice or communication from the front office. Imagine being traded after carrying your team to the brink of an NBA championship. According to Dončić, he found out about the trade in such an abrupt manner that he threw and broke his phone in frustration.

Since that trade, the Mavericks have been hit hard by injuries, especially due to what many describe as poor player load management. The most painful of these setbacks was Kyrie Irving’s ACL injury. With Dončić gone, Irving was forced to carry the team, logging excessive minutes that ultimately led to his injury.

Anthony Davis—the NBA legend acquired in the Luka deal—got injured in his very first game as a Maverick. While Davis is undoubtedly a great player, trading a 26-year-old franchise cornerstone for a 32-year-old, injury-prone veteran baffled many fans and analysts alike. But not Dallas GM Nico Harrison, who responded to criticism with the now-infamous phrase: “Defense wins championships.”

Truthfully, if Harrison had acquired Davis without giving up Luka, fans might have embraced the move despite Davis' injury history. But trading Luka—arguably the best player in franchise history since Dirk Nowitzki—is widely considered an unforgivable decision.

What makes the situation even worse:

The Mavericks were in the NBA Finals just last year.

This year, they didn’t even make it past the play-in.

Luka had no intention of leaving. He had remained loyal for 6.5 years since being drafted.

Meanwhile, the decision has seemingly benefited others. Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, who was reportedly on the hot seat before acquiring Luka, has now been promoted. Dončić currently leads the Lakers in points, assists, and rebounds—making the trade arguably the worst in NBA history (for Dallas, at least).

One person who truly deserves sympathy in all this is Anthony Davis. Despite being thrust into an impossible situation—trying to replace a beloved superstar in a city still reeling from the trade—he gave it his all. In their elimination game against the Grizzlies, he dropped 40 points while playing through injury.

And you can’t help but wonder: if Luka had still been on the roster alongside AD, could they have pushed the Mavericks into the playoffs?

It's also ironic that the Mavs season ended 77 days after Luka trade and he wears the number 77, coincidence?

With everything that has happened, maybe Nico Harrison should consider writing a book titled “How to Successfully Ruin a Franchise.”

Also while you are here check out my blogpost, you can help me by clicking on the link:

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"Dallas Mavs GM Nico Harrison Says He Has No Regrets Over Luka’s Move to LA"

Dallas Mavs GM Nico Harrison Has “No Regrets” About Trading Luka Dončić for Anthony Davis – But Fans Aren’t Buying It

Dallas Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison has made headlines again, and not for the best reasons. Speaking to journalists in a closed-door session—with no recording devices allowed—Harrison made a series of bold statements that have further fueled the frustration of Mavs fans.

When asked about the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the LA Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Harrison said plainly: “I have no regrets.” He went on to justify the decision by adding, “Defense wins championships.”

But the irony isn’t lost on fans.

Not only did Dončić return last week to drop a whopping 45 points on the Mavericks, effectively shredding that “defense,” but Harrison was reportedly spotted hiding near the tunnel during Luka’s return game—a moment fans viewed as symbolic of his lack of accountability.

To make matters worse, Harrison’s attempt to frame his decisions as being in the organization’s best interest didn’t land well either. In a comment that’s raising eyebrows across Dallas, Harrison said:

 “Some of those decisions are going to be unpopular—maybe to [Dirk Nowitzki] and maybe to the fans—but my obligation is to the Dallas Mavericks.”

Considering Nowitzki’s legendary status, with a statue outside the arena and a legacy deeply tied to the franchise’s only NBA Championship, invoking Dirk’s name so casually was seen as disrespectful, if not outright tone-deaf.

When asked about the growing chorus of fans chanting “Fire Nico Harrison,” he doubled down:

“My obligation is to the Dallas Mavericks. What’s in the best interest of the Dallas Mavericks. That’s the most important thing.”

Yet, with the team falling from Western Conference champions last season—thanks largely to Luka’s heroic playoff performances—to barely scraping into the play-in this year, many are wondering: what exactly does Harrison think is in the best interest of the franchise?

With ticket sales reportedly down and fans cancelling memberships, his claim of putting the organization first rings hollow. Unless the plan is to run the franchise into the ground, trading the player who carried them to the Finals doesn’t look like a strategic move—it looks like a massive misstep.

Black Mirror Season 7 on Netflix: Release Date, Cast, Episodes, and What to Expect

Black Mirror Season 7 Is Here—And It’s Darker, Wilder, and More Star-Studded Than Ever

Hold onto your brain chips — Black Mirror is officially back with Season 7, and trust us, it’s bringing heat, chaos, and questions you didn’t even know you should be asking.

Drop Date? Mark it: April 10, 2025, only on Netflix.

And guess what? For the first time in Black Mirror history, we’re getting a sequel episode. Yep — USS Callister is back, and it’s going into infinity. Jesse Plemons and Cristin Milioti return to that eerie digital hellscape we all secretly loved.

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Who's In?

This cast is stacked like your favorite dystopian app:

Rashida Jones

Awkwafina

Peter Capaldi

Emma Corrin

Issa Rae

Paul Giamatti

Tracee Ellis Ross

Jimmi Simpson

and a wild mix of returning legends and new faces.

You already know these people don’t play safe. Expect fireworks.

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Episode Highlights (No spoilers, but... brace yourself)

"Common People" – What if your life depended on a subscription? Rashida Jones and Chris O'Dowd dive into a chilling take on healthcare. Pay to stay alive? Black Mirror said yes.

"Hotel Reverie" – Issa Rae and Emma Corrin get tangled in a high-gloss nightmare where AI is remixing old Hollywood. Glamour meets glitch. You won't look at movie reboots the same again.

"USS Callister: Into Infinity" – Back to that creepy starship. More twisted games. More code. More rebellion. And no escape.

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What’s the Vibe?

Creator Charlie Brooker says Season 7 is a mix of “deeply unpleasant, funny, and emotional.” Translation? It’ll mess you up in all the best ways. Just like we like it.

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Bottom Line:

If you thought reality was bad, wait till Black Mirror shows you what’s next. The future is glitchy, messy, and addictively watchable. Let the mind games begin.

Europa League: "Onana Is One of the Worst Goalkeepers in Manchester United History" – Nemanja Matić

Ahead of their Europa League clash against Manchester United, Nemanja Matić, who plays for Lyon, claimed that André Onana is one of the worst goalkeepers in the history of Manchester United.

Matić made this remark during a press conference ahead of the Europa League quarter-final clash. The former Chelsea midfielder and two-time Premier League winner was responding to Onana’s earlier comment that United were "way better than Lyon."

Onana, who didn’t take kindly to Matić’s comments, responded in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. He wrote:

 "I would never be disrespectful to another club. We know that tomorrow will be a difficult game against a strong opponent.

We focus on preparing a performance to make our fans proud.

At least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can’t say the same."

While it remains unclear whether Onana ranks among the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United's history, the Cameroonian shot-stopper has conceded several easy goals this season. However, he has also delivered strong performances on occasion. Comparisons with his predecessor, David de Gea—who guarded United’s goal for nearly a decade—have not made things any easier. Filling the shoes of a club legend is no small task.

Despite Matić’s bold claims, Manchester United remain the only unbeaten team in this season's Europa League. His comments, along with Onana’s response, have fueled fan excitement ahead of what promises to be an epic quarter-final first leg.

André Onana vs Matić — Be there!

Matic Claims Onana is the worst goalkeepers in Man U history

China Hits Back with 84% Tariff on U.S. Goods as Trade War Escalates

According to reports from Fox News and CBS, China has decided to impose an 84% tariff on U.S. goods entering the country, starting April 10. This marks a sharp increase from the previous 34% rate. The move is seen as a retaliatory response to the U.S., which recently announced a total tariff hike of 104% on Chinese goods.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the escalation as a "loser" for China. Speaking to Fox News, he called China the "worst offender in the international trading system" and described its economy as "the most imbalanced economy in the history of the modern world."

"It's a pity they don't want to negotiate," he added.

The tariff standoff between the U.S. and China has triggered a drop in global stock prices. Despite growing concerns, both superpowers have so far refused to back down. As the situation escalates, the rest of the world is hoping it can still be resolved at the negotiation table.

Rice Cooked Madrid, Merino Served Dessert – 3-0 Feast at the Emirates

Arsenal has done what many considered impossible and shocked Real Madrid at the Emirates. Goals from Declan Rice (a direct free kick) and Merino combined to make it 3-0. Many doubted Arsenal could pull it off, but they proved everyone wrong. Though Real Madrid hasn't been playing well this season, they are still Real Madrid. Arsenal has won the first leg of the UCL quarterfinals. The question now is: can they keep this momentum going?

Well, maybe they can. A 3-0 aggregate lead seems almost impossible for any team to come back from, but if there’s any team capable of pulling off the impossible, it’s Real Madrid. Also, Madrid plays the second leg at home—and the Santiago Bernabéu is said to be intimidating. Though I don’t think the Bernabéu has the same effect on opponents anymore, considering Madrid conceded four goals at home against Sociedad and also lost to Valencia.

Despite that, the Bernabéu hasn’t entirely lost its power to intimidate. Moreover, Mikel Arteta might actually decide to play haram ball with a lineup of 9-1-1 if possible. Though that might seem unlikely since the Gunners don’t have enough defenders to pull that off. Still, Arsenal played very well—creating chances in both the first and second halves. However, there was no striker at the receiving end of those chances. If there had been, the game might have ended 8-0.

Madrid are also struggling with the lack of a proper number 9. Kylian Mbappé, a natural left winger, is being played as a striker. Mbappé is a good player, no doubt, but an LW is an LW and an ST is an ST. Vinícius Júnior, who’s also a natural LW, is brilliant—when he shows up. When he doesn’t, he’s almost non-existent in the match. Rodrygo is another LW being played on the right. So technically, Madrid’s forward line is made up of three LWs.

This setup might work for some teams. Maybe PSG could have just won Ligue 1 with Ousmane Dembélé (another LW) as an ST. However, their recent UCL outing against Liverpool proved that an LW is an LW and an ST is an ST. PSG had plenty of chances against Liverpool but none of their attackers could finish. They had to settle for penalties to make it through to the UCL quarterfinals.

For me—though I’m no football expert—I think that for Real Madrid to mount a comeback, Jude Bellingham should play as the ST in the second leg. Yes, Bellingham is a midfielder, but he played as a striker last season and exceeded expectations. If Bellingham starts as ST, either Vini or Mbappé would have to be benched and the starter would take the LW. If Mbappé starts, does he have a good connection with Jude? Mbappé is great, no one doubts the potential of the young man who shocked the world at just 17.

However, I could make a case for starting Vini over Mbappé. Vini can be decisive—if he decides to show up. If he doesn’t, he’s invisible and Madrid would basically be playing with 10 men, like today. I could also argue that Rodrygo should be benched, with Vini or Mbappé playing on the wings—left and right, or right and left. Though I don’t know how that would work exactly.

Arguing in favor of starting Endrick or Arda over one of Madrid’s attackers might not be a great idea either. It’s more feasible for both to come off the bench and impact the game.

Also, my prediction about Madrid’s defense was spot on. Though the defense did its best to prevent direct goals, players like Alaba and even Camavinga (a DM) made some rash decisions—committing unnecessary fouls that led to two free-kick goals. In the end, Camavinga was sent off—well-deserved, if you ask me. Though to be fair to both Alaba and Camavinga, no one expected Declan Rice, a DM, to score a direct free kick.

Despite the free-kick goals, Arsenal were still the better side. In fact, the game could have ended 8-0 or more if not for Courtois—a fact Bellingham himself pointed out. This is one of the reasons I like Jude. He didn’t mince words and spoke the truth about the team’s performance. While others were talking about the Bernabéu’s "power" to turn things around, Jude admitted they played badly.

However, if Jude is moved to ST, I still don’t know who would hold the midfield together. Sometimes I feel like he’s the only serious one out there. In fact, I honestly have no idea how Madrid can turn the tide at the Bernabéu—and I don’t think my suggestions would necessarily work either.

Like I said, I’m no football expert, and I’m definitely not a coach. So for the sake of Madrid fans, let’s hope Ancelotti has a plan. If not, it’s…

#ByeByeMadrid

Chelsea Reignite Champions League Hopes with Tight Victory Over Tottenham

Chelsea secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Tottenham, thanks to a decisive header from Enzo Fernandez in the 49th minute. This crucial goal not only handed Chelsea all three points but also marked Cole Palmer’s first Premier League assist since December 1st. Despite Palmer creating an impressive 39 chances between December and April, his teammates had failed to capitalize—until Enzo stepped up to convert.

A Game of Fine Margins

The match was anything but dull, featuring two stunning but disallowed goals. Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo thought he had extended the lead with a long-range strike, only for VAR to rule it out for offside. Tottenham's Pape Matar Sarr also had his moment of brilliance cut short when his banger was ruled out due to a foul in the buildup.

Positive Takeaways for Chelsea

Beyond the win, Chelsea had additional reasons to celebrate. Nicolas Jackson, the Senegalese striker, made his return from injury, adding firepower to their attack. With this victory, Chelsea have climbed back into the top four, boosting their chances of securing a UEFA Champions League spot next season.

Still, none of this changes the fact that I hate Chelsea.✌️