NBA Southwest

2011 NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS PREVIEW -- Mavericks in 7

​Execution vs. Explosion. Savvy vs. Speed. Aptitude vs. Athleticism. You get the picture. Mavs vs. Thunder. While -- yeah, I know -- I shoulda took my Mavs-over-Blazers first-round pick and quit while I was ahead, I predicted a Lakers' win the West semis and, happily, sheepishly, here we a ... More >>

2011 NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS -- Mavericks vs. Thunder: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. I'll have my position-by-position breakdown complete with, yes, the highly (smirk) coveted prediction tomorrow, but let's get this party started pronto. Back in 1994 I covered the Mavericks for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and a team that featured point guards Jason Ki ... 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 >>

Beat L.A.? The Mavs Might Replace Them on the Mountaintop.

Sharp shooting and shoddy predictions on the Mavs' road to the NBA Finals.

Tractor's Death An Eye-Opener: To Mavs Fans and a Former Mav Star

While we anxiously await the Mavs' NBA Western Conference Final opponent -- looks like the Thunder -- a couple of matters that get, well, right to the heart of the matter. Was talking to Mark Aguirre last week in the wake of his recent health scare. Aguirre, the first overall pick i ... More >>

Grizzlies-Thunder: Who Should Mavs Fans Be Rooting For?

Ah, the bad ol' days. Hilarious.​While the Mavs were sleeping last night, they might have won another playoff game. How's that? Because over in Memphis the Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder played only the sixth triple-overtime game in NBA playoff history. On the heels of Saturday's ... 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 >>

Mavs-Lakers: Looking Back at a Great Series ... and a Horrible Prediction

​Never been happier to be wrong. And I don't care that I wasn't alone -- I admit I was wrong. I'm stunned by the Mavs sweeping the Lakers, punctuated by Sunday's 122-86 epic shellacking. Matter of fact, I'm more surprised by this outcome than the Navy SEALs sweeping Osama. I gave currency to&n ... More >>

Whitt's End: 5.6.11

Whether you've reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End:*Mavericks-Lakers and Rangers-Yankees in our town in the same weekend. Delicious. If you had a front-row ticket to just one, which would it be? Are there really semi-sane humans who'd choose ... More >>

Erykah Badu to DJ Dallas Mavericks Playoff Pep Rally at South Side Music Hall on Saturday

Drew WilliamsDJ Lo Down Loretta Brown, aka Erykah Badu.​The Little Mavericks sure have local basketball fans in a tizzy now that they're up two games to none on the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Playoff's Western Conference Semifinals. And even one Erykah Badu is getting in on the fun -- just mome ... More >>

2011 NBA WEST SEMIS GAME 2 -- Mavs 93, Lakers 81: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. For the Mavs, a shocking 2-0 lead. For the Lakers, a Stinko de Mayo. L.A. missed its first 15 3-pointers and was booed off the court in Staples Center. As they head for Dallas and Friday night's Game 3, the Lakers are muttering things like "dispirited" and "trust issues." Surreal. 9 ... More >>

Mavs-Lakers Game 2 Preview From the Puerto Rican Point Guard and the Old Coach

​I asked Mavericks backup point guard J.J. Barea what he was thinking as the ball left Kobe Bryant's hand on the potential game-winning 3-pointer in Monday's Game 1 at Staples Center. "I wasn't thinking," Barea said. "I was praying." Despite playing 44 minutes of superb basketball -- the ... More >>

Over The Weekend: Arcade Fire and Okkervil River at Gexa Energy Pavilion

Arcade Fire, Okkervil RiverGexa Energy PavilionApril 30, 2011Better than: any other show you've seen in 2011.All photos by Sara KerensArcade Fire's Win Butler. For more photos, check out the slideshow.​More than five years have passed since Arcade Fire last played Dallas -- something of which the ... More >>

Mavs-Lakers Preview: Lakers in 5

Some of us have waited 23 years to "Beat L.A.!" Sorry, I don't see it happening in 2011 either. When the Lakers and Mavs begin their best-of-seven Western Conference Semifinal series tonight at 9:30 in Staples Center, there is an undeniable fact that overrides any and all X's and O's: The two ... More >>

Whitt's End: 4.29.11

​Whether you've reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Most surprising thing about Cowboys first-round draft pick Tyron Smith? According to scout Walter Juliff, he's related to a former Cowboy with the same last name. Goes by the nam ... More >>

Those Same Old Mav-Wrecks

Another humiliating collapse has even the most loyal Mavs fans bailing before the inevitable crash and burn.

Mavs-Blazers Game 6 Preview: What Time Does Game 7 Tip?

​The Mavericks are 0-4 in Portland's Rose Garden this season. All-time they are 18-46 in Portland, including 1-8 in the playoffs. They lost Games 3 and 4 of this first-round series. Since 2006 they are a putrid 2-17 in road playoff games. The Blazers, meanwhile, have won 12 of ... More >>

Blazers' Anger at Brian Cardinal is Silly ... and Good for the Mavs

You know it's a series when the towel-wavers are going at it. Mavs-Blazers has been relatively friendly. Portland coach Nate McMillan snapped at the refs after Game 1. Mavs owner Mark Cuban was hit in the face by a plastic straw during Game 3 and Brandon Roy pissed off all of Dallas with his ... More >>

Game 5 -- Mavericks 93, Blazers 82: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. There was a time when the Mavs going 3 of 17 on 3-pointers in a playoff game meant certain doom. Last night, Dallas didn't shoot particularly well, but it defended and rebounded. Wow did it rebound, to the tune of  12, 11 at the offensive end. 9. Turns out Brandon Roy's fourth ... More >>

Blazers 97, Mavericks 92: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. As we suspected, Portland's team is pretty salty. But their fans suck. Booing Mark Cuban is cool. Throwing shit at him is lame. 9. The Mavs are the NBA's best road team the last two regular seasons, but they're now 2-14 in their last 16 playoffs games away from the American Airlines Cen ... 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.

At the Risk of Waking Laura Miller: Mavs-Blazers Series is Over

​An MVP. Almost 23,000 points. Ten All-Star selections. Three-Point shooting contest title. Eleven consecutive seasons of playoff berths with 50-plus wins. One of only four players to average 25 points, 10 rebounds in the postseason. Certain first-ballot Hall of Famer. And a unique skill set t ... More >>

Mavericks 101, Blazers 89: My Top 10 Observer-ations

The Game 2 Hero: Peja​10. When the Mavs play with emotion and efficiency, they are tough to beat. Last night the intensity was there courtesy of Jason Terry, Tyson Chandler and the spunky J.J. Barea. And so was the execution, to the tune of a franchise-record low six turnovers -- including ... More >>

Tyson Chandler, Take a Bow. Mavericks, Take a 2-0 Lead.

​Weird game at American Airlines Center last Saturday night. In Game 1 of the Mavs-Blazers first-round series, Jason Kidd made six 3-pointers, Marcus Camby had more assists than Dallas' point guard and the Mavs shot 19 fourth-quarter free throws to Portland's two. The Mavs survived an ugly g ... More >>

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 >>

A Sports-Heavy Placement Weekend For Old 97's, Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights

​It's a good time of the year to be a sports fan. The NBA playoffs are under way, the baseball season has begun, and -- yes! -- the final season of Friday Night Lights is back on NBC.And, would you know it, two of those things showcased some local music this weekend.First, on Friday night, during ... More >>

Dallas Mavericks vs. Portland Trail Blazers: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​Game 1   at Dallas       Sat.                    8:30 (ESPN) Game 2   at Dallas       Tue.    &nb ... More >>

Dallas Mavericks' Playoff Position in Major Limbo After the Sorry-Ass Spurs Punk 'Em

​Dear San Antonio Spurs,Eff you.Sincerely,Dallas Mavericks With a chance to beat the reeling Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday night and go a long way toward securing the No. 2 seed in the NBA's Western Conference Playoffs for the Mavericks, the Spurs decided to rest stars Tony Parker, Manu Gino ... More >>

Jason Terry Continues His Mental Funk, Somehow Helps Mavs Win

​Jason Terry is lying. Watched Mavs 98, Rockets 91 last night at a local watering hole in McKinney's downtown square, and it's obvious that he thought the score was tied when he stepped to the free-throw line with 1.5 seconds left in regulation. Problem: It wasn't. Dallas actually trailed b ... More >>

Crafty Mavericks Lose Again, on Verge of Avoiding Lakers in NBA Playoffs

A playoff preview? ​Remember waaaay back when the Mavericks were salivating over somehow catching the Spurs for the best record in the NBA's Western Conference and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs? Don't look now, but after last night's home loss, the goal is to somehow hold onto ... More >>

The Mavericks Need to Start Talking and Mark Cuban Wants the Media to Stop Writing

​Whether his angle is salient or not, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban isn't afraid to talk. And it seems veteran guard Jason Terry is popping off every other week about the Mavs catching the Spurs or having the best bench in the NBA or something else equally daft. But, as has been the case ... More >>

With Three Consecutive Losses, Dallas Mavericks Going Nowhere Fast

​And over here -- in the opposite corner from your red-hot Texas Rangers -- sit your Dallas Mavericks. Bruised. Bloodied. Slump-shouldered. Ready for the NBA Playoffs? At a time when they should peaking, the Mavs are pratfalling. After winning the first three games on their western road tri ... More >>

Whitt's End: 4.1.11

Whether you've reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: Plaaaaaay baaalllllll! My prediction: Your Texas Rangers will finish second to the Anaheim Angels in the AL West and miss the playoffs. Hey, repeatin' ain't easy. For most teams in baseball lo ... 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 >>

Dallas Mavericks in L.A.: Tonight the Salad; Tomorrow the Steak

If only that guy on the left was still a part of this team ​Over the past decade the Dallas Mavericks have been the NBA's best team at winning games they were supposed to win. In building a legacy of 11 consecutive seasons with 50 wins and playoff appearances, the Mavericks rarely lose aga ... More >>

Mavs Win, Clinch 11th Consecutive Playoff Berth

​I know the big news over the weekend for the Dallas Mavericks was another home loss to another potential playoff opponent - this time to the San Antonio Spurs - but the fine print after last night's blowout of the lowly Golden State Warriors was a clinched playoff spot. Some of you say ho-hu ... More >>

Texas Showdown

Dirk Misses. Mavs Lose. Carlisle Confounds. Again.

​Couldn't find the game on TV out here in the Arizona desert, but after watching the highlights I didn't need to. I've seen this Mavericks' movie a lot recently. The good guys die in the end. Last night in Portland the Mavs made their first 11 shots, hit almost 60 percent for the game, and so ... More >>

Mavs Are the S-Word. Rinse and Repeat.

​While I was out last week the Dallas Mavericks blew a seven-point lead in the final minute in a flabbergasting loss in New Orleans. Afterward, head coach Rick Carlisle called his team "soft." Veteran shooting guard Jason Terry bristled at the suggestion, saying "I'm not soft, not me. I don't ... More >>

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

A Good Dirking

Mavericks Getting a Teeny Tiny Bit of Help for Stretch Run with Corey Brewer

Corey Brewer​Don't get too giddy if and when the Dallas Mavericks sign free-agent forward Corey Brewer today. Decent player at both ends of the court, but it's basically one more attempt to fill in the gaps left by the absence of Caron Butler. Maybe with the additions of Peja Stojakov ... More >>

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 >>

Mavs Rally Past Raptors. Again.

Yesterday I flipped on the Mavericks and they trailed the lowly Toronto Raptors - playing without leading scorer Andrea Bargnani - and they trailed 22-3. 22-3! I couldn't believe it. I was worried. I was ... soothed when I realized it was the Raptors. By the third quarter the Mavs l ... More >>

At the NBA Trade Deadline, Mavs are All Good. No ... Thanks?

​I don't expect a Dallas Mavericks' deal before this afternoon's 2 o'clock NBA trade deadline. Couple of reasons. First and foremost, the Mavs are 41-16 after last night's thumping of the short-handed Utah Jazz and have won 14 of 15 since Dirk Nowitzki's sprained knee healed. ... More >>

The Best Trade in the History of Your Dallas Mavericks

Yep, pretty much the easiest list I've ever put together. On June 24, 1998 the Dallas Mavericks drafted robust, rotund -- let's face it, fat -- Michigan forward Robert "Tractor" Traylor with the No. 6 pick in the draft. Three picks later the Milwaukee Bucks drafted a German teen named Dirk Nowitzk ... 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 >>

A Tale of Two Trades: How the Mavs and Stars are Affected by 'Melo and Neal

​The Dallas Mavericks got better today. The Dallas Stars? Hmm. With the trading of Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups to the New York Knicks, you can cross the Denver Nuggets off the list of NBA Western Conference powers in this spring's playoffs. Raymond Felton is a decent point guard and ... More >>

One of Ross Perot Jr.'s Suits Against Mark Cuban Gets Adiosed. Will the Other Follow Suit?

Sam Merten​Back on July 15, 2009, Ross Perot Jr.'s Hillwood Center Partners sued Mark Cuban (and the Dallas Mavericks) over money made from the American Airlines Center, with Perot insisting that the AAC's profits weren't going to partners (including Perot, who still owns a 5-percent stake in the ... More >>

Whitt's End: 2.18.11

​Whether you've reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Coming to you today live from the Daytona 500. Literally. I awoke this morn -- as did hundreds of thousands of NASCAR fans -- to the public address blaring first, at precisely 6 a.m. "We ... More >>