"Basically just lying" Mavericks fan Chris Taylor opens up about feud with Shark Tank's Mark Cuban  

A recent confrontation between a Dallas Mavericks fan and team owner Mark Cuban has escalated into a potential legal battle. Chris Taylor, who was ejected from a game earlier this week following an argument with Cuban, is considering legal action after what he describes as an unjust removal. Taylor told TMZ Sports in a recent interview:

"Cuban's basically just lying and talkin' s*** on fans again, it's crazy."

The incident occurred during Monday night's game against the Sacramento Kings at American Airlines Center when Taylor attempted to start a chant criticizing Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison over a controversial trade decision.

Mark Cuban, the billionaire entrepreneur known for his role on ABC's hit show Shark Tank and his outspoken ownership style, confronted Taylor directly before security escorted the fan from the premises. As the situation intensifies, Taylor claims his rights were violated, while the Mavericks organization maintains he was removed for violating the NBA Fan Code of Conduct.

What happened between Mark Cuban and Mavericks fan Chris Taylor during the match?

The tension began when Taylor tried to rally fellow fans against Nico Harrison, the Mavericks' general manager. His specific grievance? The recent trade of star player Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

"As Taylor -- who was upset over the way the Dallas GM traded away Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month -- began riling up a crowd around him... Cuban got up from his courtside seat and told him to stop," according to reports.

What followed was an exchange that quickly escalated. Taylor claims he was simply voicing fan frustrations when Mark Cuban intervened personally.

"We proceeded to exchange words," Taylor explained, describing how the conversation with Mark Cuban deteriorated before security stepped in.

According to Taylor, the approach by arena security felt threatening and excessive.

"The first thing that the security said is, 'Do you want to walk out, or get dragged out?'"

Taylor recounted to TMZ Sports, suggesting an immediate escalation rather than de-escalation.

This aggressive approach left Taylor feeling "bullied, targeted, and threatened," emotions that have fueled his consideration of legal action against the team and its owner.

The Mavericks organization has defended their actions, stating that Taylor was removed for being "disruptive and uncooperative," behaviors they claim violated the NBA Fan Code of Conduct.

The clash highlights the sometimes blurry line between an owner's right to protect their team's interests and a fan's right to express disappointment with management decisions.

The underlying catalyst for this conflict was the controversial trade sending Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. As one of the NBA's brightest young stars, Doncic's departure sparked an immediate backlash from the Mavericks fanbase.

Taylor's attempted chant was seemingly an effort to channel that collective frustration, particularly directed at GM Nico Harrison who orchestrated the trade.

For passionate fans like Taylor, such personnel moves aren't just business decisions but emotional matters that affect their connection to the team they support.

Chris Taylor is considering pursuing legal options

Taylor isn't backing down and believes his treatment warrants potential legal action.

"I'm going to think about it some more, but [legal action] is not off the table. It is definitely not off the table for legal action at this point," Taylor stated firmly in his interview.

He further accused the organization of "using a heavy hand to try to squash the fans right now," suggesting a broader pattern of behavior rather than an isolated incident.

Despite the heated exchange and subsequent ejection, Taylor confirmed he plans to return to Mavericks games later this month, indicating his continued support for the team if not its management.

This isn't the first time Mark Cuban has had contentious interactions with fans. Known for his passionate and sometimes confrontational ownership style, Cuban has previously been fined by the NBA for criticizing referees and engaging with fans from opposing teams.

As both a successful entrepreneur and basketball team owner, Mark Cuban's high profile makes his actions particularly visible. His role on Shark Tank has made him a household name beyond basketball circles, amplifying attention to incidents like this one.

The scenario may go in a number of ways if both parties dig in their heels. The rights of fans in private settings and the boundaries of free speech at athletic events would be intriguing issues if Taylor took legal action against Mark Cuban.

The incident poses a problem for fan relations for Mark Cuban and the Mavericks, who are already dealing with backlash over the Doncic trade.

It remains to be seen if this turns into a minor incident in Maverick's history or a more significant matter regarding fan speech. It's evident that when financial decisions conflict with the feelings of fans, the passion that propels professional sports continues to cause conflict.

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Shark Tank airs on ABC Fridays at 8 PM ET and streams on Hulu.