We are rapidly approaching the 2024-25 NBA Finals, one which will see a franchise win its first title or its first in 25+ years. It has officially been seven years since a repeat champion, something which many “competitive balance” pundits would argue makes recent CBA modifications a roaring success. My initial hunch when viewing theContinue reading “Five Observations from the 2025 NBA Playoffs”
Author Archives: Matt Kaminstein
The Dallas Mavericks Received a Golden Parachute – What They Do Next Will Define Their Decade
It has officially been a week since the Dallas Mavericks won the NBA Draft Lottery and with it, perhaps the greatest golden parachute in sporting history. The rollercoaster that us Mavs’ fans have been on over the past four months has not brought the joyful thrill that amusement rides are meant to bring. It feelsContinue reading “The Dallas Mavericks Received a Golden Parachute – What They Do Next Will Define Their Decade”
Introducing NBA Chameleons: Who Are They and What is Their Impact on Playoff Basketball?
When I started The Chirp in 2020, I envisioned writing articles that were rooted in hypotheses I would have from observing sports. Many of my early articles were created from that genesis, including debating the pros and cons of signing a quarterback past his rookie contract, identifying individual shot creation as the most critical NBAContinue reading “Introducing NBA Chameleons: Who Are They and What is Their Impact on Playoff Basketball?”
The Chirp’s 2025 March Madness Preview
The best stretch of the year is officially here: the 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament. The excitement that leads into the first day of games is genuinely one of my favorite moments. Over the past few years, I have tried my hand at attempting to predict the NCAA Tournament through building a very amateur predictive model.Continue reading “The Chirp’s 2025 March Madness Preview”
Nico Harrison’s Sledgehammer Approach to the Dallas Mavericks Will Leave the Fans Picking Up the Pieces
During last year’s trade deadline, I wrote about the “Texas Two Step” Nico Harrison did, acquiring a regular season floor riser in Daniel Gafford and a ceiling elevator in PJ Washington to mimic a roster build we have seen from previous title contenders. In fact, I commended his moves to such an extreme degree thatContinue reading “Nico Harrison’s Sledgehammer Approach to the Dallas Mavericks Will Leave the Fans Picking Up the Pieces”
Nico Harrison’s Trade of Luka Doncic Isn’t Just Irresponsible; It’s Also the Biggest Gambit on the Loyalty of Fandom in Sports History
Like many Mavericks’ fans, I spent most of the day Sunday dealing with sports heartbreak. I debated all day whether I wanted to make a return to The Chirp as a way to unpack my thoughts and emotions to Nico Harrison trading away our franchise centerpiece and a player who brought many of us theContinue reading “Nico Harrison’s Trade of Luka Doncic Isn’t Just Irresponsible; It’s Also the Biggest Gambit on the Loyalty of Fandom in Sports History”
The Chirp’s Post-NBA Draft Thoughts & Free Agency Rundown
The NBA offseason is always one of the most exciting times of the year. Despite a free agency class that lacks any significant star power outside of Paul George (the next best available player is either Kentavious Caldwell-Pope or Klay Thompson), this, in theory, could be a quieter summer. Just when you think that, however,Continue reading “The Chirp’s Post-NBA Draft Thoughts & Free Agency Rundown”
Can The Dallas Mavericks Get Off the Mat One More Time?
Resilient. That would be the word to describe the current version of the Dallas Mavericks. Resiliency is an uncommon characteristic of Mavericks’ teams in the Luka Doncic era. Over the past few months, if it feels like Dallas has looked unrecognizable, it’s because they are. The Mavericks are a team that doesn’t just thrive offContinue reading “Can The Dallas Mavericks Get Off the Mat One More Time?”
Dallas’ Trades for P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford Lays the Groundwork for a “Texas Two-Step” Towards Championship Contention
A word to define the Dallas Mavericks’ trade deadline? Urgency. The urgency to improve a roster mired in the Western Conference’s second tier. The urgency to remedy past personnel decisions. The urgency to add more athleticism and size to the roster. No team was as aggressive as the Dallas Mavericks were in executing deals ofContinue reading “Dallas’ Trades for P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford Lays the Groundwork for a “Texas Two-Step” Towards Championship Contention”
How the Dallas Mavericks’ Need for a Third Option Should Inform Their Trade Deadline Strategy
After the Dallas Mavericks’ triumphant Christmas Day victory over the Phoenix Suns, I wrote the following: While Monday night’s performance was a national statement that Doncic remains one of the three most talented offensive players in the world, it also reinforced an observation that has been pervasive throughout the year: this is a scary MavericksContinue reading “How the Dallas Mavericks’ Need for a Third Option Should Inform Their Trade Deadline Strategy”
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