Before Doncic's return, Kidd, who coached Doncic for a few seasons, spoke on his two aforementioned bosses, saying the opposite of what many fans likely would. “We believe in Nico and Patrick,” Kidd said, per Clutchpoints' Joey Mistretta. NBA fans quickly reacted to Kidd's bold statement, flooding social media with claims that he is wrong.

Luka Doncic didn’t wait for his much-anticipated return to Dallas to crank up the drama. The night before he faces the franchise with which he spent his first 6 1/2 NBA seasons for the first time since being traded,

The Mavericks fans, who’d chanted “Fire Nico” about Nico Harrison the Dallas general manager, who traded Doncic, chanted “Luka, Luka” repeatedly as LeBron James waved his arms to egg them on. Anthony Davis, who the Mavericks received for Doncic, had 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.