Best Sports Card Store 2011 | Nick's Sports Cards | Best of Dallas® 2020 | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Dallas | Dallas Observer
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Best Sports Card Store

Nick's Sports Cards

There's a museum in the back, behind glass — quite the collection of old cards, catcher's masks and Civil War-era bats. And then there are the rows and rows and rows of cards, sleeved and stacked for cardboard-box browsing and shopping. And shop you will: Here, history's affordable, sometimes as low as 50 cents per bubble-gum memory. We shop here regularly, three generations of card collectors: the grandfather who worshiped men named Koufax and Mays; the son whose idols were Harvey Martin and Jim Sundberg; the youngest one for whom any guy in a uniform on a card is considered a hero. Each of us never fails to find something during each trip. Bonus: Nick's is kind of like a sports-lottery ticket-seller too, peddling unwrapped packs for a few bucks each, some of which contain rare autographs, pieces of uniforms or other invaluable keepsakes. Buy the ticket; only thing missing is the sunburn.

Best Dallas Maverick

Dirk Nowitzki

Any questions? Didn't think so. Because after a season in which the soft guy proved tough enough and the German who couldn't lead in fact led, the best player in franchise history kicked his critics in their skeptical crotches with a memorable season in which he won a championship, NBA Finals MVP, a couple of ESPYs and — oh yeah — another relatively useless Observer award. Dwyane Wade and LeBron James tried to make fun of Dirk's feverish cough in the finals, but after an onslaught of lefty layups and flamingo fadeaways the player for years deemed not quite good enough is finally the best.

Best Texas Ranger

Josh Hamilton

Despite an often maddening kamikaze style that keeps him hovering around the disabled list and his preposterous claim, er, excuse that he struggles in day games because of his blue eyes — Cal Ripken Jr., anyone? — there is no doubt that the reigning AL MVP is the most talented and mesmerizing baseball player in town. When Hamilton was gone for five weeks with a broken shoulder, the Rangers were the model of mediocrity. With him in the lineup saving runs with his arm and generating them with his bat, Texas again looks like a team capable of going to the World Series.

Best Dallas Cowboy

Jason Witten

Whether running routes for old friend Tony Romo or backup quarterback Jon Kitna, the best tight end in the history of the Cowboys does nothing except produce consistent results. He's the $28 million man with the 28-cent ego. With his team in turmoil via Romo's injury and the midseason firing of Wade Phillips, Witten kept on keeping on. With a subtle agility and pillowy mitts for hands, Witten caught 94 passes for 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns and did it all with nary a chest bump or "look at me" celebration. The Cowboys were a disappointing 6-10 in 2010, but Witten, as usual, exceeded expectations.

Best Sports Moment

Mavericks Beat Heat in NBA Finals Game 5

Tons of indelible memories from the Mavs' playoff run. The big comeback in Oklahoma City. The bigger comeback in Game 2 of the finals in Miami. The sweep of the hated Lakers. But never has American Airlines Center been rowdier, louder or prouder than Game 5 of the finals. With the series tied at 2-2 the Mavs clawed out of a nine-point, fourth-quarter hole, capped by a dramatic long 3-pointer by Jason Terry right in LeBron James' mug in the final minute. James responded with a quizzical shrug, while Terry sprinted down court with his trademark wings out for a runway takeoff. The joint went bonkers, and fans left knowing that after 31 years their Mavs were only 48 minutes from a championship. Cue the chill bumps.

Best Dallas Star

Loui Eriksson

In a lackluster, playoff-less season in which Mike Modano and Marty Turco left, it was the spunky left-winger who arrived. Despite playing in Brad Richards' shadow, Eriksson was Dallas' second-leading scorer with 73 points on 27 goals (including six game-winners) and 46 assists and produced a team-high plus/minus of plus-10. The losing season cost head coach Marc Crawford his job and prompted Richards to leave via free agency, but at least the Stars have young players like Eriksson and Jamie Benn to liven up the future. Oh, who are we kidding? Hockey has never been worse or less relevant in this town.

Best FC Dallas Player

David Ferreira

Just when we were wrapping our hearts and minds around Dallas-bred soccer idol Kenny Cooper, he up and went overseas to play real fútbol. Like my grandma used to say, "Nothing wrong with leftovers." And so it is with Colombia-born midfielder David Ferreira. In just his second season playing up at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Ferreira earned Major League Soccer's MVP and led the surprising team to the MLS Cup. With him out of their lineup because of a broken ankle, FC Dallas was merely an average side early in 2011. Professional soccer still isn't popular out in the 'burbs, but with Ferreira, FC Dallas has a chance to again do something that transcends sports and cities — win.

Best Pro Coach

Rick Carlisle, Mavericks

In light of Ron Washington guiding the Rangers to their first World Series, this wasn't a no-brainer. But Rick Carlisle pushed all the right buttons in leading the Mavericks to their first NBA championship. After he shaved his head to honor his dad, Preston, and then it kinda didn't grow back, he looked like a scary Jim Carrey. But whether it was inserting DeShawn Stevenson into the lineup, believing in J.J. Barea or knowing when to throw a zone defense or even Ian Mahinmi at the Miami Heat, Carlisle was as valuable to Dallas' title run as anyone this side of the giant German. And to think, he was this close to being fired had the Mavs lost in the first round to Portland.

Best Owner

Mark Cuban, Mavericks

Has any owner ever enjoyed a championship more? Considering the decade, cash and passion invested into his Mavericks, he deserved it. After Dallas' first pro basketball title, Mark Cuban took the Larry O'Brien trophy to the urinal, took a cheap shot at sorta partner/definitely enemy Ross Perot Jr. and got the last laugh on his critics. Whether it's keeping the faith in Dirk Nowitzki, sticking with Jason Kidd or shelling out the big bucks to sign Tyson Chandler, Cuban is nothing if not determined to put himself and his team in the best position to win. As if that's not enough, every week he jumps into ABC's Shark Tank. Impressive.

Best TV Sports Anchor

Mike Doocy

Channel 8's Dale Hansen may have pushed our policy on term limits had his banter with weatherman Pete Delkus not deteriorated from witty to warped. Mike Doocy has the advantage of batting first in the sports wrap-up show game each Sunday night, and more often than not he takes advantage with a solid, often spectacular Sports Sunday on Fox 4. His highlights are comprehensive. His graphics are by far the best on local television. He provides one-on-one interviews. And his popular "Open Mike" segment gives a voice to everyone from Steve Busby to Tony Casillas to RJ Choppy. Furthermore, we know Hansen is secretly jealous of Doocy's perfectly coiffed hair. Actually, that's not a secret.

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