Will Luka Dončić’s 'case of the flops' cost the Mavs the NBA championship tonight?



The Dallas Mavericks have now lost three consecutive games to the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA finals. If Boston wins tonight, the hopes of an NBA championship, which hasn’t happened since 2011, are dashed for Mavs fans.

NBA sports writer Brian Windhorst pointed at the Mav’s all-star point guard, Luka Dončić, as the reason the team has not prevailed against the Celtics.

“His defensive performance is unacceptable. He is a hole on the court ... [The Celtics] are ahead in this series because they have attacked [Dončić] defensively,” Windhorst reported, adding that Dončić is also “costing the team because of how he treats the officials.”

Windhorst even went as far as saying that Dončić is “the reason why the Mavericks are not going to win” the series.

“There were some uncalled fouls in that game that could’ve gone Luka’s way,” says Blaze Media’s sports expert Jason Whitlock. However, he also acknowledges that the superstar is guilty of “flopping,” “[baiting the referees],” and “trying to draw all these fouls.”

“Luka Dončić has an acute case of the flops,” he says, playing a clip of the athlete’s dramatic tumbles from the last game.

Jay Skapinac, the voice behind Skap Attack agrees.

“Luka came into the series with a lot of shine on him,” he tells Jason. “It looked like he was getting ready to insinuate himself into that best player in the world type conversation in my estimation.”

However, in light of the last three games, “there is no denying that Luca has been absolutely pitiful throughout the course of this series.”

What’s strange is that “many would take a look at just the raw box score and say 30 points per game, nine rebounds a game, six assists, two and a half steals, 47% and think what a great series this guy's playing.”

According to Jay, however, Luka is “unmitigated trash whenever it matters most in the fourth quarters,” which is evidenced by the fact that he’s shot “three of 15 in the fourth quarters” of the last three matches and was “loafing up and down the court on defense.”

“This guy is the European LeBron James,” he criticizes.

To hear the rest of the conversation and predictions for tonight’s match, watch the clip below.


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WATCH: Dallas Mavs CEO openly admits she fires anyone who doesn’t support woke protocols



Rather than focusing on being the best basketball team in the NBA, the Dallas Mavericks are more focused on implementing DEI and other woke practices.

The team’s CEO, Cynt Marshall, says so herself. Dave Rubin plays the video of her boldly stating she will not hesitate to get rid of anyone who opposes DEI protocols.

“We wanted to also focus on emotional safety, and I told the team these values would be on the walls, but more importantly, they would operate in the halls,” Marshall explained, “so then we went through a series of sessions to really dig into those values and what it meant to have values-based employment at the Dallas Mavericks.”

Marshall then implemented a “100 days plan” designed to “model zero tolerance.” Part of this plan included a “hotline” and a “complaint process” that would allow her to “purge what [she] needed to purge,” insinuating that she fires anyone who isn’t on board with her woke protocols.

Another part of the plan was to implement a “Mav’s women’s agenda” that revolved around “elevating, empowering, and educating women,” as well as emphasize “cultural transformation, which is all the things around diversity and inclusion.”

According to Marshall, her “200 initiatives” were necessary to “institutionalize an inclusive culture.”

“This is the CEO of the Dallas Mavericks,” sighs Dave. “Her job is to make the Dallas Mavericks basketball team as functional as possible, to win as much as possible, to make as much money as possible, to bring in the proper coach, proper GM ... so they have the best freaking basketball team.”

And yet, “everything she talked about there had nothing to do with that.”


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'The loss of DEI-Phobic companies is my gain': Mark Cuban defends diversity programs as good business practice



Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban defended diversity, equity, and inclusion as a business strategy in a thread of comments where he explained his interpretation of what the controversial programs mean.

Cuban was responding on X to owner Elon Musk who had described DEI as "racism" the day before.

"DEI is just another word for racism. Shame on anyone who uses it," Musk wrote in a post on X. "Discrimination on the basis of race, which DEI does, is literally the definition of racism," he noted in another post.

Directly replying to Musk, the tech mogul explained what he thought defined each portion of DEI.

For diversity, Cuban simply stated that businesses should look to hire diverse work forces to "put your business in the best possible position to succeed."

"You may not agree, but I take it as a given that there are people of various races, ethnicities, orientation, etc that are regularly excluded from hiring consideration," Cuban continued. He went on to conclude that simply extending hiring searches to include such people means more qualified individuals would be found.

"The loss of DEI-Phobic companies is my gain," he added.

Let me help you out and give you my thoughts on DEI\n1. Diversity\nGood businesses look where others don't, to find the employees that will put your business in the best possible position to succeed. \nYou may not agree, but I take it as a given that there are people of various\xe2\x80\xa6
— (@)

"Treating people equally does not mean treating them the same," Cuban said for equity. The billionaire then explained that employers should put their employees "in a position to succeed."

"Recognize their differences and play to their strengths where ever possible."

It is important to note that typical DEI programs do not define equity as allowing employees to succeed; it is usually related to providing advantages based on race or other immutable characteristics, theoretically to make up for prior alleged injustices.

For example, the National Association of Colleges and Employers describes equity in part as attempting to "identify and overcome intentional and unintentional barriers arising from bias or systemic structures."

Inclusion, which is often used to justify the hiring of an employee based on their race or sexual orientation, was described by Cuban as "making all employees, no matter who they are or how they see themselves, feel comfortable in their environment and able to do their jobs."

The "Shark Tank" star concluded by throwing to the replies to his thread, seemingly implying that DEI programs are needed due to certain "feelings" that are expressed in the workplace:

5. So what's the conclusion ?
If you don't think there is a need for DEI and it doesn't create a competitive advantage for your company, just look at the @x posts/replies/quotes below.

These are the same people that work for you or are your co-workers. Everyone is…
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 3, 2024

Many notable respondents did not agree with Cuban's framing of the DEI definitions:

"Mark you are defining words in a way nobody else does, and certainly not how they put them into practice," said commentator Dave Rubin.

"Unclear if you're being dishonest here, redefining words to win a twitter argument, or if you truly just have no idea how DEI has worked throughout the country. but 'equity' in practice has meant race-based hiring quotas and bonuses. it is evil," added Mike Solana, editor in chief of tech brand Pirate Wires.

@mcuban @stclairashley Mark you are defining words in a way nobody else does, and certainly not how they put them into practice.
— (@)

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Mark Cuban stopped playing the national anthem at Mavericks' games. Texas Republicans hit back by passing new bill.



Mark Cuban's Dallas Mavericks stopped playing the national anthem before their NBA home games in February, in what is believed to be the first professional sports team to ban "The Star-Spangled Banner" before games. Texas Republicans were dismayed that the Mavericks wouldn't play the national anthem before their games, so they hit back at Cuban where it hurts: in the purse strings.

"The Mavericks did not publicize the anthem's removal," The Athletic writer Tim Cato reported in February of the NBA team's decision to stop playing the national anthem. "Multiple team employees described only noticing the anthem's removal on their own, as it was also not announced or explained internally."

Cuban attempted to justify not playing the national anthem in 11 regular-season games in February.

"We respect and always have respected the passion people have for the anthem and our country. I have always stood for the anthem with the hand over my heart — no matter where I hear it played," Cuban told NPR. "But we also hear the voices of those who do not feel the anthem represents them. We feel they also need to be respected and heard, because they have not been heard. The hope is that those who feel passionate about the anthem being played will be just as passionate in listening to those who do not feel it represents them."

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was outraged that the Dallas Mavericks stopped playing "The Star-Spangled Banner," and fired off a rebuttal to Cuban.

"Your decision to cancel our National Anthem at @dallasmavs games is a slap in the face to every American & an embarrassment to Texas," Patrick tweeted. "Sell the franchise & some Texas Patriots will buy it. We ARE the land of free & the home of the brave."

With pushback from the NBA, the Mavericks resumed playing the national anthem on Feb. 10.

In March, Republican state Rep. Dustin Burrows reacted by sponsoring Senate Bill 4, also known as the "Star-Spangled Banner Act." The bill allows sports franchises the option to play or not play the national anthem, but teams who don't play "The Star-Spangled Banner" will forgo any funding from the state.

"It's very simple. If they do not want to play the national anthem, they don't take the tax dollars," Burrows said, according to the Texas Tribune. "If we're going to go ahead and subsidize with hard-earned American dollars the sporting facilities and the teams in the different ways that I think is articulated in this bill, then this would apply."

Texas Republicans passed "The Star Spangled Banner Act" on Tuesday, and the bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott to be signed into law.

However, opponents of Senate Bill 4 question the constitutionality of the legislation, and whether linking funding to the playing of the national anthem is an attack on free speech.

"Once again, we're carrying legislation that is openly and aggressively unconstitutional," Democratic state Rep. Gene Wu said.

During the debate over the "The Star-Spangled Banner Act" on Monday, Texas Democrats proposed that teams be required to play both the "Star-Spangled Banner" and "Lift Every Voice and Sing," which is the so-called "black national anthem."

"I don't even understand why we would feel the need to force someone into singing any song," Rep. Jasmine Felicia Crockett said. "But if we are going to force people to sing a song, we should at least be mindful of the people playing on these teams, the people that are actually in the stands supporting these teams."

Despite the decision by the Mavericks, the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars both pledged to play "The Star-Spangled Banner" before games this season.

Dallas Mavericks Say They Won't Play National Anthem — Press Sec.’s Response Says It All

Dallas Mavericks Say They Won't Play National Anthem — Press Sec.’s Response Says It All

'We as a country haven’t lived up to our highest ideals': Biden backs athletes' right to protest during national anthem, Psaki says



On the heels of the NBA's roller-coaster ride this week over the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Thursday told reporters that while President Joe Biden respects the national anthem, he also respects the right of players to kneel in protest while it's played.

What are the details?

A reporter asked Psaki what position Biden is taking on Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban reportedly deciding to stop playing the anthem before his squad's home games.

While Psaki said she hasn't spoken to Biden about the specific issue, she did say, "I know he's incredibly proud to be an American and has great respect for the anthem and all that it represents — especially for our men and women serving in uniform around the world."

She added, however, that Biden also would say "that part of pride in our country means recognizing moments where we as a country haven't lived up to our highest ideals, which is often and at times what people are speaking to when they take action at sporting events. And it means respecting the right of people, granted to them in the Constitution, to peacefully protest. That's why he ran for president in the first place, and that's what he's focused on doing every day."

MARK CUBAN/NATIONAL ANTHEM: Jen Psaki: “I know [President Biden's] incredibly proud to be an American and has great… https://t.co/QvYeVIF2Af
— Forbes (@Forbes)1613058300.0

What's the background?

After the anthem has't being played before Mavericks home games, the National Basketball Association on Wednesday issued a statement saying the anthem indeed will be played at every league game for every team.

According to MarketWatch, the league's statement was "in response" to the Mavericks' omitting the anthem. And it was quite a shift from NBA spokesman Tim Frank's earlier statement to the Associated Press, according to NBC Sports: "Under the unique circumstances of this season, teams are permitted to run their pregame operations as they see fit."

The New York Times reported that Cuban said "we are good with it" in regard to the league's insistence on the anthem being played — but the opinionated owner reportedly had other things to say following the NBA's declaration.

Shams Charania of the Athletic tweeted a partial statement from the Mavericks owner: "We respect and always have respected the passion people have for the anthem and our country. I have always stood for the anthem with [my] hand over my heart — no matter where I hear it play. But we also hear the voices of those who do not feel the anthem represents them. We feel they also need to be respected and heard, because they have not been heard."

Cuban reportedly added in the statement that "the hope is that those who feel passionate about the anthem being played will be just as passionate in listening to those who do not feel it represents them," Charania noted.

NBA says national anthem will be played before games — reportedly in response to Mark Cuban saying Mavericks weren't playing it



That didn't take long.

On the heels of Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban saying the national anthem wasn't being played before his team's home games, the National Basketball Association on Wednesday issued a statement saying the anthem indeed will be played.

"With NBA teams now in the process of welcoming fans back into their arenas, all teams will play the national anthem in keeping with longstanding league policy," NBA Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass said in a statement.

According to MarketWatch, the league's statement was "in response" to Cuban's anthem revelation.

NBA announces all teams will play national anthem in keeping with longstanding league policy. https://t.co/h66Q7sm7Ge
— Josh Caplan (@Josh Caplan)1612984327.0

Which is quite a shift from NBA spokesman Tim Frank's earlier statement to the Associated Press, according to NBC Sports: "Under the unique circumstances of this season, teams are permitted to run their pregame operations as they see fit."

Did Cuban have anything else to say?

The New York Times reported that Cuban said "we are good with it" in regard to the league's insistence on the anthem being played:

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to @NYTSports on the league's decision to mandate the playing of the national anthem bef… https://t.co/9cOePDPYcD
— Marc Stein (@Marc Stein)1612983882.0

But as you might expect, the opinionated owner reportedly had other things to say following the NBA's declaration.

Shams Charania of the Athletic tweeted that "Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks will resume playing the Anthem tonight vs. Atlanta."

Charania added a partial statement from Cuban: "We respect and always have respected the passion people have for the anthem and our country. I have always stood for the anthem with [my] hand over my heart — not matter where I hear it play. But we also hear the voices of those who do not feel the anthem represents them. We feel they also need to be respected and heard, because they have not been heard."

Cuban reportedly added in the statement that "the hope is that those who feel passionate about the anthem being played will be just as passionate in listening to those who do not feel it represents them."

Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks will resume playing the Anthem tonight vs. Atlanta. Statement from Cuban, in pa… https://t.co/iq3mjqWfPC
— Shams Charania (@Shams Charania)1612984432.0

Anything else?

NBC Sports added that the Mavericks didn't play "The Star-Spangled Banner" through 11 home games this season and were the only NBA team to not play it — and that the decision was a direct order from Cuban. The outlet added that "there was no discussion of this because there were no fans in the building, and since the anthem is rarely shown on broadcasts it was barely noticed."

The Los Angeles Times said Cuban said last year in the Florida bubble that players and coaches have the right to kneel during the anthem. The paper said Cuban wrote — in a since-deleted tweet from July — that the "National Anthem Police in this country are out of control. If you want to complain, complain to your boss and ask why they don't play the National Anthem every day before you start work."

Cuban told the New York Times on Tuesday night that he told the Mavericks to stop playing the anthem before its home games — and that "it was my decision, and I made it in November." He declined to comment further, the paper said.

White House Supports Mavericks Scrapping The National Anthem Because America Fails ‘Often’

White House press secretary Jen Psaki expressed support for Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban's decision to remove the national anthem from the team’s home games because they "feel [the anthem] doesn't represent them."

Mark Cuban's Dallas Mavericks have stopped playing the national anthem before games



The Mark Cuban-owned Dallas Mavericks will no longer play the national anthem before their NBA games, according to reports.

What are the details?

Sports Illustrated reported Tuesday that Cuban, ahead of the NBA season, decided that "The Star-Spangled Banner" would no longer be played before Mavericks games.

Sports Illustrated noted that the Mavericks did not publicize the decision, and some players said that they weren't even aware of the move until they discovered it on their own.

The outlet said, "This is believed to be the first instance of a professional team getting rid of the U.S. national anthem from the pre-game, according to the Athletic. Major League Soccer did not play the anthem during a tournament in 2020 in Orlando that did not have fans present, but teams have since started playing it prior to their home games."

Cuban has not publicly spoken out on the move at the time of this reporting and declined to comment to the Athletic.

According to the Washington Post, however, "The Mavericks have not played the anthem in their first 13 preseason and regular season home games, breaking with a universal practice for professional sports in America — but one that has become fraught in recent years as athletes have seized on the moment to protest racial injustice and other causes. Cuban denied to The Post a report from The Athletic, the first to break the story, that the organization had decided not to play 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at the American Airlines Center moving forward."

"That is incorrect," Cuban told the Post. "We have given no comment on what our plans are."

The outlet also reported that Cuban did not respond to questions regarding why he directed the organization not to play the national anthem so far this season.

It also pointed out that the Mavericks have chosen to avoid playing the national anthem in the past.

"As the New York Times pointed out, the team, then owned by Donald Carter, played 'God Bless America' before games for the club's first 16 years," the outlet reported. "The team switched to 'The Star-Spangled Banner' in 1996 when Ross Perot Jr. became owner, four years before Cuban took over."

What else?

A spokesperson for the NBA told the outlet that "under the unique circumstances of this season, teams are permitted to run their pregame operations as they see fit."

In July, Cuban told ESPN that he supported his players' desire to kneel during the playing of the national anthem.

"If they were taking a knee, and they were being respectful, I'd be proud of them," he reasoned. "Hopefully, I'd join them."

Sports Illustrated reported that just two days after that remark, Cuban tweeted, "The National Anthem Police in this country are out of control. If you want to complain, complain to your boss and ask why don't they the National Anthem every day before you start work."