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When an autographed Luka Doncic jersey was up for bids at a charity auction, Michael DeMattia says he did what he had to do.
“I gave away the naming rights to my first son,” DeMattia said.
DeMattia’s dad, David, agreed to buy the jersey for him in exchange for naming his future, firstborn son David.
Sound crazy? Hardly, says DeMattia.
“You don’t go to these games if you don’t have some kind of kooky habit,” he said.
DeMattia says he’s just one of the many Dallas Mavericks fans who believe superstition can influence the outcome of the game.
That’s why, to him, having the right jersey is vital.
“It’s very nice when you find a jersey that’s on a win streak,” DeMattia said. “I keep track of those for sure.”
Really. DeMattia tracks wins and losses based on each jersey he wears. He sticks with the best ones and fervently avoids the worst ones.
“I do not like touching [this one] right now,” he said, pointing to a Kyrie Irving jersey that he’s worn twice during the playoffs, both Mavs losses.
“I definitely think that I’m making an impact," DeMattia said. "There’s no way it doesn’t. Zero percent chance it doesn’t.”
With the Mavs down 2-0, he’s taking a bold step and hoping his action causes a chain reaction.
DeMattia recently bought a pair of custom shoes hand-painted with a bold proclamation: “2024 Champions” alongside an image of the NBA’s Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
He got the shoes from a local artist, Jose Vela from Candlecandoit Designs. Why would someone so superstitious be so audacious?
“We want it to happen,” DeMattia said. “Everybody wants it to happen, so why not just put it out there into the world, make it real?”
If it doesn’t work?
“I’ll send you a video of me burning them,” he said. “Without a doubt.”
Hopefully, the Mavs will catch fire first.