Born Into Blue: A Conversation With a Lifelong Mavericks Fan

By Isaiah Magar | KZA Sports

I recently had the privilege of interviewing one of the Dallas Mavericks' most diehard fans: Red Raider Man. You can find him on X here.

For some fans, being part of the Mavericks family isn’t a choice — it’s a birthright. That’s exactly the case for our latest interviewee, a die-hard Dallas fan who’s been rocking blue since day one. "Born into it," he said when asked how he became a Mavs fan. No drama. No bandwagon. Just loyalty passed down like a family tradition.

He couldn’t recall his first game — hey, that’s fair — but he definitely remembers who got him hooked: “Dirk.” No need for a last name when you’re talking about a legend.

Living the 2011 Dream

When it comes to favorite memories, there’s no hesitation. “Winning the chip in 2011.” And yes, he was locked in for every second of it. “I was with my parents in the living room watching it live with them,” he said, painting the kind of moment every sports fan hopes to experience — family, joy, and a title that shut down a superteam.

But of course, being a fan means riding the highs and the heartbreak. When asked about the toughest Mavs loss he’s endured, his answer was short and recent: “Losing to the Celtics in 2024.” Still fresh. Still painful.

On the Current Squad and Future Hopes

Despite the departure of Luka Doncic, optimism remains. “I feel good about Flagg,” he said about Cooper Flagg, the Mavs' highly touted rookie. “But we’ll see with everyone else.”

On if Flagg’s arrival helped soften the blow of losing Luka — “It helped, for sure,” he admitted. And when asked what Dallas needs to do to bring home another championship?

“I think they have a fine roster that could win it all if it plays out the right way.” In other words: stay healthy, get hot, and let the chips fall.

One player he thinks deserves more credit? “AD.” In my opinion, the best player on the team, when healthy. Many people have stated otherwise, but they're wrong.

Around the League: Favorites and Foes

Outside of Dallas, there’s one player he always enjoys watching: “Curry.” The respect for greatness is there. But when it comes to rivalries, there’s one team he simply can’t stand: “Lakers.” No surprise for a true basketball fan.

Rapid Fire: Legends and Parades

In a quick round of rapid-fire questions, there were no surprises:

• Dirk or Luka? “Dirk.”

• One former Mav you wish never left? “Steve Nash.”

• If the Mavs win another title? “I would try and go to the parade.”

If the chips fall where they could in the 2025-26 season, maybe the Mavs could see that parade roaring through their streets. And when you’re born into something, you celebrate it like family.

You can find Isaiah Magar on X here.

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