The Atlanta Hawks secured a noteworthy victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, but it was the behavior of some Hawks fans that drew attention. During the game at Phillips Arena, some fans began chanting “Luka is fat” while Mavericks’ star player Luka Doncic was at the free throw line. The derogatory chant quickly circulated on social media, with many expressing disappointment and frustration over the disrespectful behavior of the fans.
Hawks fans with a "You are fat" chant as Luka Doncic is at the free throw line.
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) April 2, 2023
The Dallas Mavericks lost a close game to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, with the final score being 132-130 in favor of the Hawks. This loss has put the Mavericks in a tough spot, as they are now in the 11th seed in the Western Conference, and their chances of making it to the playoffs are slim.
On the other hand, the win has boosted the Hawks’ position in the Eastern Conference, and they are now in the 8th seed, giving them a better chance of securing a spot in the playoffs. It was a high-scoring game that could have gone either way, but unfortunately for the Mavericks, it was the Hawks who came out on top.
It is no secret that the 24-years old has a larger build compared to other NBA players, but to taunt him about his weight during the game was an act of cruelty. Doncic has proven time and time again that he is a dominant force on the court, despite his physical appearance. The chant was not only unnecessary but also disrespectful.
Interestingly, the Hawks were the team that drafted the current Mavs man with the third overall pick in 2018, but they traded him to the Mavericks soon after. The win must have felt especially satisfying for Atlanta as they beat their original pick.
The 77-jersey holder had a lackluster performance, scoring only 22 points on 8 of 20 shooting, while Kyrie Irving led the Mavs with 41 points. However, the crowd’s chant seemed to affect Doncic’s performance, as he was off his game that night.
It is worth noting that Irving, who was traded to the Mavericks in February, has been critical of the team’s recent form, calling their chase for the postseason a “clusterf**k.” The Mavericks’ late-season fumble, going 1-7 in their last eight games, has dashed their hopes of making it to the playoffs.
The Mavericks and Doncic will have to work hard to convince Irving to return as a free agent. Dallas traded several key role players and draft picks for Irving, and their hopes of building a strong team around him are now in jeopardy.
In conclusion, while the Hawks had an impressive win against the Mavericks, the fans’ taunts towards the 201 cm tall professional were uncalled for and disrespectful. It is crucial to remember that athletes are human beings who deserve respect, regardless of their physical appearance.
https://youtu.be/W-kKKvgjDUk
Can the Luka Doncic-led Mavericks Claw Their Way to the Playoffs? A Look at Their Chances in the 2023 NBA Season
The Dallas Mavericks’ chances of making the playoffs are slim at this point, but they still have a shot at the play-in tournament. With only three games remaining in the regular season, the Mavs are currently 11th in the Western Conference standings, one game behind the No. 10 seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
To make it to the play-in tournament, Dallas must win their remaining games and hope for the Thunder to lose one of their final three matchups. The Mavs have an easier schedule than the Thunder, but they must first take care of business against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.
Even if they make it to the play-in tournament, the Mavericks will have a tough road ahead of them as they will likely face a high-seeded team. However, with Luka Doncic leading the way, anything is possible. The Mavs will need to improve their defense and get contributions from their role players if they want to extend their season beyond the regular season.
