NBA Atlantic

Lyndon Baty and the Robot That Saved Him

In tiny Knox City, a sick boy and his robot sidekick keep beating the odds.

The Best of Coachella: Weekend One

Karen O's Outfit Karen O's wardrobe on Friday night was bad ass. The Yeah Yeah Yeah's front woman appeared on the main stage in a technicolor cape draped over a suit that looked like it was made of mercury. The vibrant collage was topped with a headpiece that Liberace might have worn had he ever bee ... More >>

A Former Cowboy is Suing Mavs Great Rolando Blackman Over Alleged African Gold Scam

After leaving the Mavericks as the club's all-time leading scorer, pre-Dirk of course, Rolando Blackman has bounced around a bit. He spent a couple of seasons with the Knicks and a couple more playing in Europe before finally retiring to the sidelines. Some of those sidelines were at the American Ai ... More >>

Larry Brown Just Can't Stop

The remaking of SMU basketball with the game's most persistent coach.

Larry Brown Has SMU Basketball 7-1, Which is Good Enough for the Wall Street Journal

For more than two decades now, SMU's men's basketball program has languished in mediocrity. It saw moderate regular-season success during the Mike Dement era of the late '90s and early '00s but made the postseason only once, and that was a berth in the lowly NIT. Its last trip to the NCAA tournament ... More >>

The Mavs Are Now the NBA's Fourth Most Valuable Team, But They're Still Losing Money

In spite of all the off-season turmoil, in spite of the fact that Deron Williams went to Brooklyn rather than coming home, in spite of the what-might-have-been speculation about Chris Paul and Dwight Howard in green and blue, the Dallas Mavericks still came out ahead. See also: Mark Cuban Says if ... More >>

Kanye West's "Theraflu," Explained

America loves hip-hop music, but we don't always understand the meaning behind the message. We love to dance awkwardly to "Rack City" in the comfort of our homes while throwing imaginary ones in the air, but seldom take the time to break down a song line by line to derive its true meaning. That's ... More >>

Jason Kidd is No Longer Sucking, and That's Good News for the Mavs' Playoff Hopes

It's a common NBA refrain: Following an inactive trade deadline, a team will claim that getting a relevant player back from injury is akin to making a deadline deal. It happened with the Mavericks and Rodrigue Beaubois, and this year's spin involves the eventual integration of Delonte West. There i ... More >>

The 2012 Dallas Mavericks: 33 Storylines from 33 Games

A (Wait, It's Already Midseason?) Midseason Report

Delonte West: Now There's a New Maverick Who Deserves His Own Reality Show

Delonte West did not schtup LeBron's mom. That other shit you heard? Yeah, that's probably true.​It won't get the buzz that landing Lamar Odom or Vince Carter will, but last night the Mavericks made what will easily be their most interesting move of this abridged off-season, signing guard Delo ... More >>

The Newest Mavs Won't Hurt the Balance Sheet, But How Much Will They Help on the Court?

On this season of The Shark Tank ...​Rob Mahoney runs The Two Man game, an ESPN-affiliated Mavericks blog, and occasionally writes about basketball for Unfair Park. Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson have never exactly run the Mavericks like an ordinary NBA franchise. They drafted a gangly German k ... More >>

Rangers 7, Angels 0: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. Remember not long ago when it looked like Alexi Ogando was done? Since three sub-par starts in June he's back to being one of the best surprises in baseball, especially after last night, when he threw eight scoreless innings and lowered his ERA to 2.72 (7th-best in the AL). Moving him bac ... More >>

Whitt's End: 6.17.11

​Whether you've reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Jason Terry's voice is still hoarse from all the partying and cigars, but yet we're already peeking at 2012. Problem: The Mavs aren't a team built for the future, but rather the here-'n-now ... More >>

2011 NBA FINALS GAME 6 -- Mavericks 105, Heat 95: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. You knew it was going to be an intense game ... even before the game. During shootaround at American Airlines Arena this afternoon neither Dwyane Wade nor LeBron James would respond to Dirk Nowitzki calling their mocking video "childish" and "ignorant." Their response: "We have no comment." B ... More >>

Mavs Fans Deserve a Title, and Have the Scars to Prove It

The Mavericks have too many noble causes to not produce one last comeback

Mavs in the West Finals: We've Done This Before

​The Mavericks haven't lost an NBA Western Conference Finals series in five years. Of course we all know what happened Dallas advanced this far -- in the 2006 NBA Finals. The come-from-ahead loss to the Heat sent the franchise into a pyschological spiral from which it is just n ... More >>

Whitt's End: 5.13.11

​Whether you've reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Went and watched the American professional debut of Cuban defector/Rangers' prospect Leonys Martin last night in Frisco. In a word, wow! With his father and agent in the stands at Dr Pepper ... More >>

The Most Memorable "Fights" in Dallas-Fort Worth Sports History

​When the Lakers' Empire imploded on Mother's Day in Dallas, it did it in surreal style -- under a barrage of 20 Mavericks' 3-pointers, and punctuated by cheap-shot thuggery from Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum. Was thinking about Bynum's chicken-shit elbow to an exposed J.J. Barea. Other t ... More >>

Being Beyonce: Is it All in Diet and Exercise?

Hey, little girls, don't you want to be just like Beyonce?​I love me some Beyoncé. Her video for "Single Ladies" is mesmerizing. Kanye was right -- it should have won Female Video of the Year (even though it went on to win Video of the Year). Beyoncé has this ease in her style -- she's like ... More >>

What If Dirk Nowitzki Weren't White?

His critics wouldn't call him soft, but his teammates would still lead the Mavs to another early exit.

Mavericks 89, Blazers 81: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. After all the experts made the Mavs the sexy pick to be upset in the first round, what happens over the weekend? Every road team -- except the Blazers, that is -- either holds a 10-point lead or wins outright. Dallas' win wasn't pretty, but it sure got more attractive Sunday afterno ... More >>

Whitt's End: 4.8.11

​Whether you've reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *So Nuggets coach George Karl wants some of the Mavs, huh? "If we had to pick and choose, we would probably say 55 percent Dallas and 45 percent Oklahoma City," he says of his preferred ... More >>

Mavericks v. Lakers: Who's No. 2?

If the Mavs don't win tonight, at least J.J. Barea's got this to look forward to.​The Dallas Mavericks say tonight's showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers isn't a statement game. The Dallas Mavericks are lying. Beating the Timberwolves, Warriors, Jazz, Suns and -- last night -- the Clippe ... More >>

Whitt's Merten's End 3.11.11

Photo by Sam MertenChuck Greenberg and Texas Rangers co-chair Bob Simpson celebrate after outbidding Mark Cuban in an auction to own the club​Whether you've reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's Merten's End: *Well, that was quick. Chuck Greenberg formed ... More >>

The Dallas Mavericks are teasing us again with hopes of a championship run.

Mavs Win Again, Inch Closer to Best in West

​When Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry boldly claimed last week that his team was going to catch the San Antonio Spurs, we rolled our eyes. Because, one, it wasn't possible. And, two, it didn't really matter. After further review, watch out. Terry scored 30 points last night ... More >>

Devin Harris Back From New Jersey? Fuhgeddaboudit

​I never wanted Devin Harris to leave the Dallas Mavericks in the first place. Now, as we get all frenzied nearing tomorrow's NBA trade deadline, I'm not sure I want him back. And you don't either. Unless, that is, you think he's the missing piece that will help this version of the ... More >>

Mavs Win 10th Consecutive Game, Fail to Impress the Masses

​It's not often I stay up late to watch a duel between J.J. Barea and Samuel Dalembert, but last night's 102-100 victory by the Dallas Mavericks over the Sacramento Kings was special. It kicked off the Bob Ortegel-less era with a win. And was the Mavs' 10th consecutive victory. To which ... More >>

NBA All-Star Starters Announced Tonight. Yao = In? Dirk = Out?

​This is the price we pay for David Stern's mission to make the NBA a global game. Because, after further review, yes, a million Chinese can be wrong. When the NBA announces its 2011 All-Star Game starters during tonight's double-header on TNT, the Western Conference's center will be ... Yao ... More >>

Mavs Win; Jason Kidd Scores; Jason Terry Gets Carried Away

​Landmark win by your Dallas Mavericks last night at American Airlines Center, 109-100, over the Los Angeles Lakers? Maybe. But, eh, probably not. Most important, it broke a six-game losing streak. But it also lets them boast this achievement: Wins this season over the Spurs, Celtics, H ... More >>

Sans Dirk Nowitzki and an Effective Jason Terry, Mavs Lose 99-93 to Spurs

Sure, no Dirk hurt. But Terry's 3-for-16 shooting hurt much worse last night.​Two minutes and 13 seconds. That's all it took for the San Antonio Spurs to turn a two-point lead against the Dallas Mavericks into a 16-point lead with nearly nine minutes remaining in the second half. After Georg ... More >>

Whitt's Merten's End: 12.31.10

One of Sports Pickle's best photos of 2010​It's been a fun two weeks, sports fans. Richie's back on Monday, but before I give him back his blog, here are some week-end thoughts before I go. *Sunday's Cowboys-Eagles game looks like it might be the first NFL start for Stephen McGee as Jon Kitna ... More >>

No Carlisle, No Dirk, No Problem: Mavs Stay Hot With 103-93 Win Against Thunder

Caron Butler hasn't been as productive as he was in Washington, but he's getting there.​Without their head coach and best player for most of the game, the Dallas Mavericks improved to 17-1 since November 20 with a 103-93 victory last night in Oklahoma City. Six Mavs chipped in with double-digit po ... More >>

Butler and Chandler Lead Mavs to Best Road Start in Franchise History; Nowitzki Passes Larry Legend on All-Time Scoring List

Stolen from the Bobcats in deal for Matt Carroll, Eduardo Najera and effin' Erick Dampier, Tyson Chandler's a big reason why Dallas is off to such a great start.​The Mavericks continued to prove that they're indeed the best team in the league as they improved their road record to a franchise-best ... More >>

And to Top It All Off, the Mavericks Lose ... To the Bucks

​Cowboys lose to Eagles? Check. Rangers lose Cliff Lee? Check. Mavericks lose to the medicore Milwaukee Bucks? No way in hell. Check?! I was hoping the Mavericks, who had their 12-game winning streak snapped in a head-scratching 103-99 loss, could push it to 15 entering Monday's game against ... More >>

DwYane Wade = Failure. Mission Accomplished?

​OK, admittedly this may be a tad premature. We've still got - what? - 4.5 months left of NBA regular season. But what happened last night in Miami was too delicious to bypass. Turkey comes Thursday. Monday night the appetizer was served. Last week I officially wished failure upon t ... More >>

As of Right Now, I'm Wishing Failure Upon ...

Miami Thrice, enjoy your demise.​Dwyane Wade in specific. And the Miami Heat in general. Take this lightly if you wish, but consider the career/personal plunges of my previous targets: *Terrell Owens (cut by the Cowboys, irrelevant as Buffalo Bill). *Tiger Woods (lost his wife, reputat ... More >>

Dallas Mavericks Off and Running Toward Another 50-Win Season

​Thankfully there isn't a team in the NBA called the Giants. While the Cowboys got walloped by New York Monday night and the Rangers were whipped by San Francisco last night here in the City by the Bay, your Dallas Mavericks are on pace to go 82-0 after opening the season Wednesday night  ... More >>

Whitt's End: 10.1.10

​Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Sobering number right outta the gate: Since July 1 the Texas Rangers are 42-40. Are we fooling ourselves thinking they're an elite team that can actually win a playoff series against one of the ... More >>

Whitt's End (Fish's Tales?) 7.16.10

​Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End (Fish's Tales?): *A note from Rangers Ballpark: LeBron James fell out of the upper deck while reaching for more attention. *If police have this right, the mayor of Coppell leaves notes scattered a ... More >>

Mav's First Round Pick Dominique Jones May Be The Answer, But The Team Must First Deal With Hard Questions Raised By Dirk Nowitzki's Free Agency.

Whitt's End: 6.11.10

​Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *The Southwest Conference lived to be 80. The Big 12 won't see its 17th birthday. Favorite part of the squabble is Texas A&M threatening to go to the Southeastern Conference without Texas. Yeah ... More >>

LeBron James Coming To The Mavericks? Dallas Seems Totally Unmoved By The Prospect.

The Top 10 Greatest Coaches in the History of Ever

Tom Landry's Statue​John Wooden had three golden rules that, come to think of it, would make us all better humans: Be on time. Don't curse. Never criticize your friends. The legendary UCLA basketball coach left our planet a worse place over the weekend, leaving behind a legacy of 10 national ... More >>

The Top 10 Best Character Names in Sports Movies That I Could Think of Off the Top of My Head

Jesus saves. And shoots.​Why did the Los Angeles Lakers lose Game 2 of the NBA Finals Sunday night? Because they turned their back on Jesus. Boston Celtics' guard Ray Allen - who played "Jesus Shuttlesworth" in Spike Lee's He Got Game - went off on L.A. He hit a Finals-record eight 3-pointe ... More >>

The Dallas Mavericks and Girls Gone Wild Make a Creepy Couple?

​Surprised by the reaction to Tuesday's item about Girls Gone Wild: Search for the Hottest Girl in America. There was a computer hiccup in the afternoon, so comments were disabled for a while. But via text, in my email inbox and through calls to 105.3 The Fan most folks are somehow disgusted ... More >>

Just Wright

Mavs Star Dirk Nowitzki Will Never Change Some Minds Until He Changes The Color Of His Skin

This Just In: Don't Drink and Drive

​If your name is Newy Scruggs, Laura Dean-Mooney or Jesus H. Christ, you have permission to stop reading. The rest of you, I'd like you to think back to the last time you were driving while drunk, schnockered, intoxicated, tipsy, under the influence or, if you prefer, merely buzzed. Last week ... More >>

Reality Bites

Authentic cuisine requires trust, vigilance...and a trip overseas