Oklahoma City Thunder

Motown Matchup

Arm-Chair Managing in the Hours Before Ron Washington's Fired

Man, I Used to Love James Donaldson. Seattle Is Super Lucky.

Rubberneckin'

Leap-frogging through history with the Toadies

Your Stock Market Mavericks

Dirk and the Mavs: One night beautiful music; the next SlipknotAll right, I'm off to a fancy schmancy brunch in Fort Worth this morning - more on that this afternoon - so I gotta make this snappy. Too bad, because I could spend all day trying to dissect your Dallas Mavericks. Down. Up. D ... More >>

Okay, What the Hell Was That?! Mavericks Edition

Yesterday it was an unexplained noise in my house. Last night it was an inexplicable performance by the Dallas Mavericks in Oklahoma City. Seriously? A 14-win Thunder team missing its top two scorers blows Dallas out in a March game with long-ranging playoff ramifications? And this, of course, ... More >>

Mark Cuban Has a New ... Nemesis?

If the Mavericks keep blowing games to friggin' Oklahoma City, owner Mark Cuban will apparently blow a gasket and blow up his team. Says Cuban, in the most violent finger-pointing of his 9-year regime.     "Not only did it look like we had no idea what we were doing, ... More >>

Fatal Web

The arrest of Dallas' "Black Widow" lights a fire under a cold murder case

2009 NBA Playoff Preview: Spurs vs. Mavs

The good news: When the Mavs and Spurs begin their first-round playoff series this weekend it will be a renewal of a rivalry featuring talented, tested teams. The bad news: When the Mavs and Spurs finish their first-round playoff series, the loser will go home and the winner won't be far b ... More >>

World Series

The good news: When the Mavs and Spurs begin their first-round playoff series this weekend it will be a renewal of a rivalry featuring talented, tested teams. The bad news: When the Mavs and Spurs finish their first-round playoff series, the loser will go home and the winner won't be far b ... More >>

Bullheaded

Adriano Moraes and his Brazilian buddies make a buck the hard way

Bad Blow

Why are the DMN city columnists so lame? Belo wants them that way.

Dallas Mavericks 2009-10 Schedule

​Shawn Marion. Drew Gooden. Roddy Beaubois. Quinton Ross. Count ABC among the non-believers in your new-and-maybe-sorta-somehwhat improved Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs' schedule for next season has them appearing nine times on ESPN, seven times on NBATV, four times on TNT and, um, zero tim ... More >>

Mavs at Thunder: Okay, I'm Interested

​Two years ago the Dallas Mavericks came out of the All-Star break thusly: In his first game back in Dallas after a trade from New Jersey point guard Jason Kidd took the opening possession against the Hornets in New Orleans and threw a perfect lob pass that Josh Howard dunked. I was at Buffal ... More >>

Mavs Down the Stretch: 6-2 Gets You No. 2

​Sure, the Dallas Mavericks produced an epic victory Monday night. Whipping the Denver Nuggets gave the inside track on the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Western Conference playoffs. But that momentum, that achievement - that seeding - could all be lost in the next 48 hours. Tonight the Mavs vis ... More >>

With a 22-Game Taste, Let's Circle the Bases: Last-Place Rangers Have First-Place Potential

Ian Kinsler makes his season debut tonight against the Mariners and lefthander Cliff Lee, who's also making his first appearance of the year. ​While Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has cryptically blamed the refs yet again for his team's fourth first-round exit from the playoffs in the last seven y ... More >>

Ready or Not, Here Comes Basketball Season

​With the Cowboys' hopes buried, the Rangers' pursuit of Cliff Lee still a week from climax and the leftover turkey all but scarfed, time for your Mavericks to snatch our attention. If they haven't already. In case you're one of those that refuses to pay attention to basketball before Th ... 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 >>

Think I'm Nuts For Calling Mavs the NBA's Best? I've Got Your Power Rankings Right Here.

​After the Dallas Mavericks disposed of the Miami Heat for the second time last week, I boldly said they were the NBA's best team at the time. My opinion stood firm as they overcame 26 points and 23 rebounds from Dwight Howard to beat the Orlando Magic before taking a five-day break. One of the c ... 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 >>

The Mavs Are Cratering. And, Yep, the Butler Did Indeed Do It.

​So me and Charles Barkley call the Dallas Mavericks the best team in the NBA, but when I come back from vacation the whole thing's in shambles. What the what?! I believe when I left they were 23-5 and had just completed a season sweep of the Miami Heat. Now? Entering tonight' ... 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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

As Danny Crawford Arrives, Human Officials Should Depart

​Was watching Rangers-Yankees Sunday night on ESPN and was struck by something. As our TV pictures have been more clear via HD, our screens have gotten more cluttered with an avalanche of information. On the screen at one time were graphics for the network, balls, strikes, outs, runners on ... 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 >>

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 >>

Of Baseball's Litany of Dumb Rules, the Wet Dream Tops the List. Right Mitch Moreland?

​Going to Frisco tonight for the debut of Cuban defector/Texas Rangers' stud prospect Leonys Martin. Or am I? Maybe I'll go and sit in traffic and have a hot dog and two cold ones and Martin will dazzle with a two hits and a stolen base and ... then it will rain and I'll drive home like i ... More >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

The Top 5 Greatest Games in the History of Dirk Nowitzki

​For once and all, he pronounces it "No-WIT-skee." Has since the day he stepped off the plane from Germany back in 1998 and arrived at the Mavs' old practice facility at the Baylor-Tom Landry Center in Dallas. You call him "No-VIT-skee"? He shrugs. Doesn't care. Likewise, it doesn't bother h ... More >>

2011 NBA WEST FINALS GAME 1 -- Mavs 121, Thunder 112: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. Dirk Nowitzki was obviously unstoppable with 48 points and an NBA playoff-record 24 of 24 free throws, but the Mavs were stagnant and stale offensively until J.J. Barea entered the game in the second quarter. As Thunder coach Scotty Brooks said afterward, "He's a handful." I'm stil ... More >>

The Greatest Individual Playoff Performance in the History of Dallas-Fort Worth Sports. Is Dirk's Dominant?

​The Mavs can play better than they did in Game 1 of the NBA's Western Conference Finals. For the first time in the playoffs they allowed 100 points, 112 to be exact. The Thunder grabbed 11 offensive rebounds and, according to Mavs' coach Rick Carlisle, corralled 13 of the game's 20 loose bal ... More >>

Six Reasons Why You Need To Come To Our Free Locals Only! Show at Gilley's Tonight

You can do this! Tonight! For free!​Surely, you already know this: Tonight at the Jack Daniel's Saloon in the Gilley's complex on South Lamar, we're hosting the second installment of our free, monthly Locals Only! showcase of area bands. And tonight's offering is pretty awesome, featuring two of o ... More >>

Get Pumped: Download a Couple of Sweet Mavericks Jams For Your Pre-Game Pleasure

All week, over on Unfair Park, Robert's been posting with way too much enthusiasm about Flula Borg, the German musician behind the bizarre, above-posted pro-Dirk Nowitzki jam, "His Name Is Dirk." He even internationally dialed the musician and got some choice on-record quotes like this one about his ... More >>

2011 NBA WEST FINALS GAME 2 -- Thunder 106, Mavericks 100: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. You knew the Thunder wouldn't be content to lose another game of one-on-one with Dirk Nowitzki. They fronted him in the post. They doubled him. They held him to 29 points. Nick Collison, touche. And, you're right, that's something I thought I'd never type. 9. Mavs coach Rick Carlisle is ... More >>

2011 NBA WEST FINALS GAME 3 -- Mavericks 93, Thunder 87: My Top 10 Observer-ations

Dirk: Playoff beard​10. Think of the Ford Center Oklahoma City Arena as a 'roided Reunion. Basketball here is still fresh and, let's face it, there's nothing else to do. I was at Reunion in the '80s and Sacramento's ARCO Arena with the cowbells in the '00s, and this place is louder. Sa ... More >>

Oklahoma City: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. Regrettably, I didn't go to the Oklahoma City National Museum, but apparently Jason Kidd did. Can't believe that tragedy was 16 years ago all the sudden. 9. Stayed in a hip, happening part of OKC called "Bricktown." Think of it as Dallas' West End, with a canal running through it. Part S ... More >>

2011 NBA WEST FINALS GAME 4 -- Mavericks 112, Thunder 107: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. Battle scars. The Mavericks are fueled by them. As of last night, the Thunder now have one of their own. Who feels worse about their closing confidence this morning: Harold Camping and his May 21 oops or Chokelahoma and its 15-point implosion? 9. Whether it was an epic meltdown or ... More >>

Chokelahoma!

The Thunder's performance reminiscent of yesterday's Mavs.

2011 NBA WEST FINALS GAME 5 -- Mavericks 100, Thunder 96: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. Much as I'm giddy over the victory and the Mavs' second berth in the NBA Finals, I'm almost as happy for the way they handled the win. No confetti on the floor. No champagne in the locker room. Not even a drop of celebratory Ginger Ale. Says Dirk Nowitzki, "It's a great moment. But we've ... More >>

Mavericks 4, Thunder 1: A Review of My Preview

​After last night's Game 5 door slammer against the OKC Thunder, your Mavericks are now 12-3 in the playoffs and awaiting an opponent in the NBA Finals. Not bad for a team that about 50 percent of prognosticators picked would lose to the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. I picke ... More >>

2011 NBA FINALS -- Mavericks vs. Heat: The Preview

​Charles Barkley is 3-0 picking the Mavericks in playoff series this spring. ESPN's Bruce Bowen is 0-3 picking against them. Me? 2-1. I picked Mavs over Blazers and Thunder but had them losing to the Lakers. In Miami for tonight's Game 1 of the NBA Finals, I'm having difficulty viewing ... 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

Loud Noises: The Very Short List Of Things That Are Actually Louder Than Dallas Mavericks Fans

​We here at DC9 know a lot about sound. For instance: The average human voice registers at 25 to 35 decibels. By contrast, the Indonesian Krakatoa volcano, which erupted in 1883 and could be distinctly heard 1,930 miles away in Australia, registered at 180 decibels. Unconfirmed reports from the Ma ... More >>

The Mavericks Finally Fought Back, and They Have the Title to Prove It

Mark Cuban, Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs shed labels and the Miami Heat on the way to their first NBA championship.

2011 Dallas Mavericks' NBA Playoffs: My Top 10 Observer-ational Moments

​10. It was a simple offensive rebound and putback layup off the glass, but when Shawn Marion produced it at the end of the third quarter on April 25 it gave the Mavericks a 14-point lead over the Blazers in crucial Game 5 of the first round, and it restored confidence in the Mavs two days af ... More >>

No, Really, Mavs Fans. It'll Be OK. We Think.

"Oh J.J., how I miss thy Puerto Rican magic tricks."​That sound you just heard? That was any and all illogically bloated expectations for the Mavericks' season hitting the ground with a thud. This isn't your typical championship defense. The Mavs made it clear in the off-season that they wer ... More >>