On this episode of the Fieldhouse Files podcast, Tim MacMahon joins. You know of him from ESPN and “Brian Windhorst & the Hoop Collective” podcast. We discussed the release of his book on Luka Dončić, the process that went into it, and Rick Carlisle being there at the beginning.

MacMahon covers the Mavericks and has followed both Dončić and Carlisle throughout their time in Dallas. And so he wrote “The Wonder Boy: Luka Doncic and the Curse of Greatness."

When Dončić was unexpectedly traded to the Lakers, MacMahon had to write an additional, unplanned chapter.

Pacers fans will appreciate the story about the Mavericks’ attempt to draft Tyrese Haliburton in 2020. Carlisle’s belief in him played a significant role in Haliburton becoming a Pacer just a year and a half later.

Among the items discussed on this episode:

• Why write this book? The process behind it, including why he’s ultimately grateful that publishing was delayed by a year.

• Traveling to Slovenia to trace Dončić’s roots and better understand where he comes from — and why he’s so competitive.

• The biggest thing he learned about Luka during his research.

• Mark Cuban: The driving force behind the Mavericks trading for Dončić, and how selling a majority share of the team ultimately led to Dončić’s departure from Dallas.

• Why Carlisle deserves credit for Dončić’s rapid rise to superstardom.

• Carlisle’s relationship with Dončić and how that, along with his experience with Jason Kidd, shapes his partnership with Haliburton.

• Carlisle and Haralabos Voulgaris grading Haliburton highly in Dallas and attempting to trade up for him.

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