Mavericks GM Nico Harrison “did not want to do” the closed-door roundtable discussion with several media members on Tuesday, but it was something that was “enforced” by team Gov. Patrick Dumont, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. ESPN’s Bob Meyers noted the roundtable “didn’t go over very well” with local or national media members. He said, “They were trying to repair some things … but it felt like some of the comments didn’t land like they wanted to” (“NBA Countdown,” ESPN, 4/16). ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said Harrison was “supposed to do” the press conference, and “for some reason, he was able to push it back. He was supposed to do it before” Lakers G Luka Doncic returned to Dallas. MacMahon, appearing on “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective,” said Dumont wanted Harrison to have the press conference because “it has been the worst 2 1/2 month run of PR that I can remember in NBA history. And I got to tell you, it didn’t get better today.” Windhorst said Mavs CEO Rick Welts’ message, in defending Harrison, is “trust us.” MacMahon said Dumont has given Harrison “strong public support,” but added the press conference “could be considered proof that Patrick Dumont has some significant concerns” (“Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective”, 4/16).
Mavs media roundtable enforced by ownership
