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WFAA

A selection of my work for WFAA-TV, Dallas' ABC affiliate.

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The story behind the custom sneakers Luka Doncic got his teammate Dorian Finney-Smith's horse for Christmas

WFAA spoke with Finney-Smith and the special edition sneakers' creator, Marcus Floyd, to learn how the horse shoes came to be -- and what makes them so special.

DALLAS — What do you get an NBA player for Christmas? Especially one who has seemingly everything after signing a multimillion-dollar contract extension mere months ago? Well, if you’re his superstar teammate, you find an enterprising, unexpected and singularly unique gift.

"He did a good job of keeping the secret," Finney-Smith told W
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Mavs' Jalen Brunson: 'I'm confident' despite Summer League struggles

Jalen Brunson, a second-round steal in last month's NBA Draft, isn't letting Summer Leauge shooting struggles affect his confidence.

LAS VEGAS – The Dallas Mavericks appeared elated when they drafted Villanova standout Jalen Brunson in the second round. To a person, the trio of Donnie Nelson, Rick Carlisle, and Michael Finley was surprised that Brunson was still available when the team took him with the 33rd overall pick in this summer's NBA Draft. They praised him for his leadership at the col
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The whirlwind draft night that landed Luka Doncic (and 3 others) in Dallas

A deal that almost fell through was revived minutes before the Atlanta Hawks' third-overall pick, which was dealt to Dallas in the form of Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic.

Uncertainty filled the air Thursday night. As the NBA Draft got underway, the reporters gathered at the American Airlines Center were abuzz refreshing Twitter. The Dallas Mavericks held the fifth pick and with it a glimpse of the future. Rumors about their interests, intentions, and priorities had swirled since the end of the
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Mo Bamba and the Mavs' big man plan: A frenzy of speculation

Mo Bamba makes a lot of sense for the Mavericks at No. 5 in the June NBA Draft, but a development project may not make for the fastest route back to the playoffs.

Mohamed Bamba is the consensus pick for the Dallas Mavericks at No. 5 in this year’s draft. At least that’s an assumption you can make after reading columns from various members of the local media.

Nationally, though, the story is quite different. There, reports say that the Mavs aren’t interested in the freshman center from the Univ
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The rebuild is on: Mavs get younger at deadline, look toward future

While the moves didn't make national headlines, they have the potential to help the team build toward the future.

Last week, the Dallas Mavericks made two moves that helped the team get younger. They traded Devin Harris, one of the most respected veterans on the roster, to the Denver Nuggets as part of a three-way deal that netted them Doug McDermott from the New York Knicks and a second-round draft pick from Denver that was originally the Portland Trail Blazers’. They also waived veteran big m
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Did the Mavs' best center just get called up from the G-League?

Baylor product Johnathan Motley, the G-League's player of the Month, has been called up to help out the Mavericks

Johnathan Motley is quickly making a name for himself. With all eyes rightfully trained on this summer’s NBA Draft Lottery and a potential top-five pick for the Dallas Mavericks, it’s easy to overlook the assets the franchise already has on hand. The Texas Legends, Dallas’ G League affiliate, are one of the best teams on the minor league circuit, with a record of 20-12. Leading the
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Mavericks victimized by slow starts

The Mavericks have played good basketball lately, but that's despite some of the league's worst first-quarter numbers. Can they fix their sluggish starts?

The Dallas Mavericks have a problem. That’s easy to say about a team with a 15-29 record but the problem, at the moment, is pervasive. It reared its head again Saturday during a matinee match with the Los Angeles Lakers. Dallas fell behind early, minutes after the opening tip. By the time the first quarter ended, Los Angeles led by 11 points,
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Even the Warriors are noticing Mavs' winning formula

What’s gotten into the Dallas Mavericks of late? If you tuned the team out because of mounting losses, now might be a good time to tune back in.

What’s gotten into the Dallas Mavericks of late? If you tuned the team out because of mounting losses, now might be a good time to tune back in. Right now, the Mavericks are fun to watch. In addition, if that’s not enough, they’re winning games. Dallas won four straight games, its longest win streak of the season, before falling to the Golden State War
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Dennis Smith Jr. capitalizing on chances in the clutch

"I've been on the floor in crunch time and we've won both," Smith said, apparently laughing. "It's not rocket science."

Dennis Smith Jr. is the face of the Dallas Mavericks’ future. That’s been true since the team drafted him in June. Even though that fact is undeniable, situations haven’t always yielded themselves to his benefit. Perhaps the most noticeable challenge facing Smith is his lack of playing time closing out games. In close games, head coach Rick Carlisle often defers to his veteran
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Don't look now, but J.J. Barea is actually really good

Perhaps the reason the Mavs find themselves in games is because J.J. Barea plays like he’s the best player on the team.

Even though they aren’t winning with regularity, the Dallas Mavericks aren’t throwing in the towel. Nightly, they compete, play hard, and make opponents work to beat them. One of the reasons the Mavs are able to push teams is the performance of its playmakers. Harrison Barnes is a consistent workhorse who can score and rebound. Wesley Matthews is a dogged defender with a dange
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The greatest coach in Mavs history now has 700 NBA wins

It’s almost unquestionable whether Carlisle will go down as the greatest coach in Mavericks’ history.

On Saturday, Dec. 2, Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle won his 700th career game as the Mavs defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 108-82. Carlisle now ranks 18th all-time in wins. Only two active coaches, San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich and the Clippers’ Doc Rivers, have more.

Carlisle notched his first victory on November 2, 2001 as the coach of the Detroit Pistons. They beat the Memphis G
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Mavericks slowly rounding into form as Not the Worst Team in the League

The Mavericks were flat-out awful in the beginning of this season, but after a strong four-game stretch they're poised to play competitive basketball going forward.

Three wins in four games. That’s what the Dallas Mavericks were riding heading into Monday night’s game against the Spurs, a rivalry game they lost narrowly in Tony Parker’s return to the court for San Antonio. For a team that shouldn’t be competing, it’s impressive. While they’re still last in the Western Conference, with a 5-16 re
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The Mavericks are bad. Do we know why?

The Mavericks are 1-10 early this season - and they're struggling in ways they rarely have before.

The Dallas Mavericks were going to be bad. Everyone knew that coming into the season. A young roster buoyed by a handful of veterans isn’t a recipe for success in a loaded Western Conference. However, they weren’t supposed to be this bad. With an eighth of the season over, the Mavs sit at the bottom of the NBA’s basement, off to a worse start than Dallas team that stumbled out of the gates last ye
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On a team full of Boo-Boos, Mavs' Ferrell emerging as Yogi

What’s clear so far is that the undrafted, second-year player has solidified his spot in the rotation.

With four seconds left in the game, Yogi Ferrell grabbed a defensive rebound and raced down the court. The Dallas Mavericks were down two. On the other end, the Philadelphia 76ers blanketed Ferrell’s teammates. In doing so, they left a lane open to the rim. Ferrell attacked. The defense collapsed on him. Driving the lane, Ferrell drew contact as he went for a layup. With time ticking down, he
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The Mavericks' fatal flaw: Rebounding

The Dallas Mavericks aren’t off to a great start. Dropping their first few games and facing a daunting schedule, the team needs to start improving and fast. While a number of areas need work, perhaps the most pressing issue facing Dallas is rebounding.

The Dallas Mavericks aren’t off to a great start. Dropping their first few games and facing a daunting schedule, the team needs to start improving and fast. While a number of areas need work, perhaps the most pressing issue facing Dallas is rebou
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It's time for expectations to meet reality for Mavs' Dennis Smith Jr.

As preseason play gets underway, all eyes are on Dennis Smith Jr.

As preseason play gets underway, all eyes are on Dennis Smith Jr. The Dallas Mavericks’ first-round draft pick electrified crowds in Las Vegas during Summer League with his effortless athleticism. Now, though, he’ll be facing NBA talent night in and night out. How he responds is everything. While expectations are high, making the leap from college to the pros is anything but easy.

“I’ve rarely seen an athlete like this at the po
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Mavs schedule released: Here are the biggest games at the AAC

Are you ready to watch Dennis Smith Jr. in person? Do you want to see him throw down vicious dunks live? Well, the NBA released its schedule, so start marking your calendars. The Dallas Mavericks kick off their season in two months.

The Mavs begin their 38th season at home against the Atlanta Hawks on October 18 and wrap it up April 10 at home against the Phoenix Suns. This season, Dallas will play 11 back-to-back games and have 11 games televised nationally. If you’re looking to attend a game
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Nowitzki signs bargain extension with Mavs

The greatest Dallas athlete of all time does his team another massive favor.

Dirk Nowitzki is too unselfish. Heading into his 20th season in the NBA, the Dallas Mavericks are working to finalize a two-year deal with their franchise player worth $10 million, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.

The deal is structured like the previous one Nowitzki signed last summer. The two-year, $50 million contract came with a team option for the second year. The Mavs exercised that option earlier this summer.
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Is it time to bring Dirk off the bench?

Harrison Barnes has surpassed every expectation for the Mavericks this year, and he plays his best at Dirk Nowitzki's natural position. When Dirk returns from injury, it time for the greatest player in Mavericks history to come off the bench?

Harrison Barnes has exceeded the expectations of many thus far this season. Many questioned whether he could excel in Dallas but he has been nothing but superb. So far, he has scored at least 30 points in three games after just one previous 30-point outing
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Dirk at Center? It's not as crazy as you think

Last year's Mavericks played extremely well with Dirk Nowitzki at Center. He won't get heavy minutes there - but it's a trick you'll likely see more of in 2016.

Barring any unforeseen setbacks, we know who the Dallas Mavericks’ starting five will be on opening night. That unit will be Deron Williams, Wesley Matthews, Harrison Barnes, Dirk Nowitzki, and Andrew Bogut. While it’s foolhardy to put much weight behind preseason predictions, it stands to reason that this will likely be Rick Carlisle's
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Mavs' Parsons flirting with lofty expectations

Chandler Parsons looks healthy and confident - and he's playing his best basketball of the season right now.

Chandler Parsons is playing his best basketball of the season right now. After months of rehabilitation and frustration, he finally looks healthy and confident. Parsons, you may recall, underwent hybrid microfracture surgery on his right knee last May. Despite this, Parsons surprised many when he returned to action in the third game of the season. Even though he's played heavy minutes, e
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Rick Carlisle is a table tennis enthusiast

Carlisle follows the world tour because of a friendship with the No. 9 player in the world.

Rick Carlisle doesn't like to divulge much in the way of his game plan in his pregame pressers. He jokes and smirks when he gives answers and refuses to indulge any hypothetical questions lobbed his way.

Information concerning the status of players for the evening's game is voluntarily given up only if mandated by NBA rules and regulations. Carlisle, though, can be a little more forth-coming when it com
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Mavs make a deal to keep Devin Harris

On Saturday afternoon, it was reported that the Mavericks and Harris came to verbal terms on a three-year deal similar to the one the team extended to him last summer. That deal was worth approximately $9 million over three seasons.

On Saturday afternoon, it was reported that the Mavericks and Harris came to verbal terms on a three-year deal similar to the one the team extended to him last summer. That deal was worth approximately $9 million over three seasons.

However, a toe injury led to a r
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