Former champion and current Dallas Mavericks executive Michael Finley surely remembers how it felt punching a ticket to the NBA Finals back in 2007. After years of toiling in the gym and honing one's craft, the feeling of finally getting over the hump is indescribably special. A glorious celebration ensues, with alcohol typically being in the mix.
That is what Luka Doncic had in mind when he and the Mavs finished off the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. He soaked up the biggest moment of his career with his father while drinking a can of beer. Apparently, though, Finley did not approve.
The vice president of basketball operations causally takes the beer out of Doncic's hand and walks away without seemingly saying a word, via ClutchPoints (originally Grant Afseth of MavericksGameday.com). The confused superstar processes the puzzling heist and then simply shrugs it off, with a tinge off disappointment in his eyes.
Michael Finley's possible reasons for beer theft
Finley put on the metaphorical boss cap (not to be confused with the Mavericks one he was actually wearing) and appears to assert his authority on the face of the franchise. The two-time All-Star has been in this game for decades and is fully aware of how fans can misinterpret something and run with a narrative.
Doncic's conditioning has been a topic of discussion in the past, and him drinking a cold one a week before a massive NBA Finals showdown with the Boston Celtics will inevitably bring out some online haters. The Slovenian sensation has his own way of dealing with the critics, but it is possible Finley wants to spare him the extra nuisances.
Or maybe the guy just wanted a brewski but did not feel like walking over to the fridge to get one. In any case, this moment just helped Mavs fans connect with Luka Doncic even more, as if that was possible.
The 25-year-old is already a Dallas legend following another superb postseason performance that earned him series MVP honors. Doncic absolutely throttled the Timberwolves, exploding for 20 points in the first quarter. He finished with 36 to go with 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals in the 124-103 closeout victory.
A subdued Target Center never had a genuine reason to roar with excitement, as Minnesota's noteworthy campaign ends with a whimper. By the looks of it, that is the same way Doncic's own night ended following the confiscation of his alcoholic beverage.
He is not dwelling on it, however, as the Mavericks' focus shifts to upsetting the mighty Celtics and seizing NBA supremacy for the first time in 13 years.
Luka Doncic, Mavericks must stay locked in for their ultimate test
The 2024 NBA Finals pits the two teams who have played the best brand of basketball since the All-Star break, with Boston dominating all seasonlong and Dallas hitting its stride after a momentous trade deadline. The additions of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, coupled with rookie Dereck Lively II and the underrated Derrick Jones Jr., are perfectly complimenting a historic backcourt.
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are eviscerating defenses, particularly in the fourth quarter. The Celtics have the size, experience and talent to combat this onslaught, but Mavericks fans have seen this duo and team consistently make adjustments during these playoffs.
Delivering Dallas a championship would arguably cement Doncic's 2023-24 season as the greatest in franchise history and further elevate his name on the list of the best postseason players in modern league history. If he does all that, then Michael Finley better hand that man a cold beer of his choice.
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