👋 Good morning! Today on the DLLS Mavs show we’re launching our movie club, talking about the ‘90s classic Space Jam. It’s been years since I’ve seen that movie start-to-finish, but it honestly holds up pretty well, all things considered. I’ve seen better special effects, heard better jokes, and been more terrified of giant space monsters, but that’s not really the point. I don’t meant to spoil the show, but I enjoyed it. Make sure you tune in to give your thoughts, or hop in the Discord to do so and find out which movie is next! — Bobby Karalla

The Dallas Mavericks are the most compelling team in the NBA. It doesn’t mean they’re going to win 60 games, or 50, or even 40… but it does mean they’re must-see TV, on and off the floor. Their best player, Anthony Davis, was part of the most surprising, controversial trade of all-time six months ago, and he’s currently recovering from an eye injury and twin-posting with LeBron. Their other best player, Kyrie Irving, is recovering from one of the most devastating injuries a basketball player can suffer. They have the No. 1 pick, potentially a generational player. Klay Thompson is dating Megan Thee Stallion. They’re all-in on bully-ball in the pace-and-space era. The GM is still the target of fans’ ire, and probably always will be.

Looking around the league like we did on yesterday’s DLLS Mavs show, the only other team vying for the top spot would be the LA Lakers, in part because they have LeBron (for now), but mostly because, of course, they have Luka. Those are two global superstars, one who’s emo-posting and possibly on the way out (to Dallas?) and one just left Dallas and is now on an international PR tour showing off his new hot bod.

No other teams have the combination of storylines, pressure, and expectations. The Mavs aren’t exactly a soap opera to the degree the Lakers are, but they’re most definitely must-see TV. They have polarizing players, an embattled front office, an unpopular owner, an outspoken former owner who seems to be growing more unpopular, and an extremely online fan base that remains divided over all of it.

It makes sense, then, that the NBA wanted the Mavs on national TV on opening night, Christmas Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as already announced. Kyrie will miss every single one of those games and it’s still not known when Davis or Dereck Lively II will be good to go, but that part almost doesn’t even matter. Some other debate(s) will be raging by then. Heck, maybe LeBron will be suited up for the Mavs in all three. Who knows?

Dallas sports fans should be used to supporting a team which has reached lightning rod status after all these years, but despite all the strange things that have happened around the Mavs franchise over the years, this still feels like a whole new ballgame. It’s one thing when the fan base experiences internal disagreements, but everyone in the basketball world has strong opinions about what the Mavs are doing. I was on vacation a couple weeks ago and my friend’s friend who I’d never met asked me about it. A financial representative broke character the other day during a customer support call (I just have a lot of questions because I’m generally very confused regarding any money-related stuff, OK!!!) to ask what it was like to see the whole thing play out, with drafting Cooper Flagg as the icing on the cake. Everyone you talk to has thoughts, questions, and the same kind of dumbfounded shock. That’s just what life is like for Cowboys fans, but it’s never happened before to Mavs fans.

And now that it is happening, I wish it would stop. I feel like Frodo in Moria. I wish none of this had happened. But, as Gandalf so wisely replied, all we can do is decide what to do with the time that is given to us. And, so, the DLLS Mavs show will stream. We will talk about it. The trade, Cooper, Kyrie, Klay, bully ball, Nico, J-Kidd, all of it. We will talk about Space Jam. And I hope you join us today and every day!

Bruce Bochy shot pretty straight after another low-scoring Rangers loss last night. “We were just bad,” he said. Jeff Wilson has more on Bochy’s mood and the Rangers’ mounting pressure and problems.

The Cowboys are practicing, but Jesse Holley sees a disconnect between how Schotty is describing the intensity vs. what’s actually happening on the field.

Sam Nestler took a deep dive into Nathan Bastian’s hit numbers, play style, and the low-risk nature of his signing. Learn more about the newest Star.

Join us at the DLLS Sports Studio in Victory Park on Aug. 25 to watch film, talk some hoops, and hang with the DLLS crew and me! It’s going to be a really fun time. Dinner, drinks, and good vibes will be provided. For more info, go here.

Be sure to subscribe to our shows wherever you listen to your podcasts. Traffic can be the worst, and one of the best ways I get through it is by listening to the audio versions of our DLLS shows. You should, too!

Bobby Karalla
DLLS Sports Head of Content​
[email protected]