Doncic grew up in Slovenia and spent his adolescence in Spain, but he embraced the trappings of Texas, often wearing cowboy hats and bolo ties on his way into games.
“He’s pulling up in the souped-up Camaro and the full Texan get-up,” said Ostdick, who was born and raised in Dallas. “He liked being here.”
When Doncic landed in Los Angeles, the Lakers posted a video of him saying hello to his new team’s supporters.
“What’s up, Laker fans?” Doncic said. “I’m in L.A. Excited to meet y’all.”
The last word, “y’all,” a mark of a Texan dialect, struck Ostdick’s Mavericks-fan heart the hardest. It was a reminder of everything the team had with Doncic and everything it had lost now that he’s gone.