Former Dallas Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban has always been known for his strong connections with players and advocacy during controversies. However, he took the side of Mavericks VP of Basketball Operations Michael Finley regarding the recent incident involving Luka Doncic’s beer after Game 5 of the 2024 Western Conference finals.

In a widely circulated video, Doncic was seen holding a beer in the tunnel while celebrating with his father after the Mavs secured the Western Conference title. Finley intervened, taking the beer from Luka’s hand, which left the young star visibly surprised.

This moment drew considerable attention, especially after Doncic was subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Cuban, during an appearance on "The Arena" with Gilbert Arenas, defended Finley’s actions, stating that it was more about presentation than any concerns about Doncic’s drinking habits. He explained, "It wasn’t because he didn’t want him to drink it… it’s not just cool when a player’s doing an interview with a beer." Cuban expressed that he would have acted similarly if it had come down to it.

The narrative surrounding Finley’s actions has intermingled with allegations about the Mavericks’ concerns regarding Doncic’s off-court behavior, suggesting they were wary of his lifestyle choices, including drinking and smoking. After the trade, rumors surfaced that the Mavs believed these habits could jeopardize Doncic’s career longevity. In response to the criticisms, Doncic committed an entire summer to transforming his physical condition, eventually showcasing his impressive transformation on the cover of Men’s Magazine.

Cuban clarified that the motivation behind Finley’s intervention was not about Doncic’s health but rather about maintaining professionalism in front of the media. He emphasized that having a beer during an interview was not appropriate, insisting, “If it was wrong, I’d be like ‘Get him another one.’”

Conversely, former NBA player Marcus Morris voiced a dissenting opinion, suggesting that if he were in Doncic’s position, he would feel disrespected. Morris reasoned that after winning a significant game, players should be free to celebrate without fear of someone snatching their drink, stating, "We just won, we celebrating. I have a beer. There’s cameras, and you kind of take that away from me…"

While Doncic did not make any public comments about the incident, it appears he did not view it as significant as the media portrayed, likely understanding the rationale behind Finley’s actions.

For further details, you can explore more on the incident and reactions here.