A Dallas Mavericks supporter, removed from a recent game for protesting against General Manager Nico Harrison's handling of the Luka Doncic trade, was subsequently invited back for courtside seats by team owner Mark Cuban.
Garrett Bussey and his friend Chris Taylor, passionate Mavericks fans, were ejected from Monday's game against the Sacramento Kings. Their offense? Chanting "Fire Nico" – a sentiment also displayed on their shirts.
The duo told WFAA that the incident unfolded during the second half as the Mavericks were shooting free throws.
"We chanted ‘Fire Nico,’ and it was the first time we'd done it all night," Taylor explained. Security swiftly intervened, escorting them out of American Airlines Center for allegedly breaching the NBA's code of conduct.
Taylor added that Cuban "started yelling" at him during the ejection. Cuban, however, offered a different perspective in a statement to WFAA:
"Fans were booing during a critical moment while we had possession and were shooting free throws. I wanted to understand why. I looked in the direction they were looking. When the individual (it was just one) saw me, he started shouting. I couldn't hear what he was saying from 25 rows away, but he was clearly upset."
Cuban clarified that the fan had been vocal throughout the game: "I wasn't bothered by what he was saying. He'd been saying it all game. I was concerned about fans booing during a crucial part of the game when they should be quiet or cheering for the Mavs."
Bussey later revealed to WMAQ that he'd spoken with Cuban after the game and received an invitation to attend Wednesday's game with his 7-year-old son, sitting courtside. Bussey viewed this as a positive gesture towards a fanbase still reeling from the Doncic trade.
Doncic, the league's leading scorer last season and instrumental in the Mavericks' NBA Finals appearance, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a highly controversial move. Fan frustration with Harrison, the architect of the trade, has reportedly led to increased security measures for him.
At least one other fan was ejected from Monday's game for a similar protest.
