Tom Hicks Wants It All?

Dubai International Capital yesterday offered Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr. about $800 million for their Liverpool football club — an offer to which the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars owner and his business partner said, “Thanks, but pass.” Only, the story doesn’t end there: According to the Associated Press,…

Your Daily Jason Kidd Oops Update

On second thought, maybe Avery Johnson was right to bench Jason Kidd during crunch time. The newest Mav hideously short-armed a free throw that would’ve tied yesterday’s loss to the Lakers with 10 seconds remaining. After Kidd’s gaffe, Kobe Bryant polished off a 52-point masterpiece with two free throws, and…

Holy Contract Extensions! Or, Tom Hicks’ New Dynamic Duo.

Nolan Ryan, left, and Jon Daniels, at right, are now signed through the 2011 season. SURPRISE, Arizona — Just moments ago, Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks announced the finalizing of contracts for new president Nolan Ryan and general manager Jon Daniels. The deals — a four-year contract for Ryan and…

Avery Gets a New Web Site

Avery Johnson’s decision to bench Jason Kidd in the final seconds of last night’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs has led to the inevitable: a new Web site called … you guessed it …. FireAvery.com. Right now, it’s just a photo and a couple of sentences; but its creator…

Damn, Jason Kidd Makes One Expensive Cheerleader

Apparently, Avery Johnson saw the cover of this week’s SI and decided to do the opposite. Mavs-Spurs was a classic last night. Avery Johnson coached it like a playoff game, using only an eight-man rotation. Dirk was good and Duncan was great and Bruce Bowen was sharpening his elbows for…

Will Jason Kidd’s Return to Dallas Beget Utopia or Armageddon?

“Jason isn’t the guy who could take us to the next level. Management wasn’t comfortable putting the franchise in his hands.” —Mavericks interim general manager Frank Zaccanelli upon trading Jason Kidd on December 26, 1996 “Kidd’s skill set and leadership will help us close out games and series. Because of…

Play Ball! Notes from Texas Rangers Spring Training, Thus Far.

CharleyPride.com The Pride of North Texas: Charley Pride, that is, an annual fixture at Rangers spring training SURPRISE, Arizona — Eight months from now we’ll either remember this as the day your Texas Rangers commenced a stunning turnaround. Or, more likely, the day they unofficially officially began a ninth consecutive…

Star Struck

Dallas Stars/NHL Brad Richards, now a Dallas Star — the hockey team, I believe Out here in Surprise, Arizona, it’s sunny and 82 degrees and far, far removed from hockey season. But back there, I hear the team I said never makes any noise actually made some noise, eh? Not…

Listen to What the Kidd Didd

The greatness of Gorilla vs. Bear has hopped into the Wayback Machine and dialed up 1994 — back when one “J. Kidd” collaborated with Digital Underground’s Money B. on the shit … dang it … hit single “What the Kidd Didd.” It’s been kinda making the rounds in recent weeks:…

Ask the Rangers (Anything, Seriously)

I’m headed out to Surprise, Arizona, today for a week at Texas Rangers spring training, which, I know, sounds about as inviting as a lunch-time waterboarding session. But, hey, duty calls. Like most of you, I’m not real jazzed about this Rangers season. We’re not alone. Fox and ESPN have…

The Return of the Kidd

Excuse me if I don’t appropriately memorialize the 19th anniversary of Jerry Jones firing Tom Landry. Today is all about Jason Kidd’s homecoming. After getting traded by the Mavericks in 1996, Kidd was viciously booed in each of his returns to Reunion Arena. But when he takes the American Airlines…

Oscar Overhaul

If nothing else, Jon Stewart certainly ranks as one of Oscar’s … um … sportsiest hosts. Maybe? At the risk of offending our nationally acclaimed film connoisseur, I poked around a little on all my Internets today and realized I haven’t seen any of the flicks up for Best Picture…

You’re Kidding, Right?

One game, and already Richie’s proclaiming Kidd and empty jersey — one you can buy right here, matter o’ fact! Don’t worry, maybe one of the Mavericks will exercise an obscure trade veto, and we can nix this whole Jason Kidd deal before it’s too late. Oh, shit. Wait. We’re…

The Dallas Stars Are Ready to Win Us Back

Hear that? It’s audible. But so quiet and muffled, almost tranquil. Is it the refurbished Mercantile Tower clock, silently ticking high above downtown? Two moths texting in a cotton field? Charlie Chaplin espousing the virtues of Roger Clemens? Nope. Just another winter hot streak by your Dallas Stars. Admittedly stripped…

Suite Dreams

With the initial sticker shock having subsided and a waiting list already topping 10,000, the Dallas Cowboys are openly happy with ticket sales at their new $1-billion palace in Arlington. But, privately, they’re even more thrilled at the demand for exclusive, elitist suites. A team source tells me this morning…

Avery: Mark Cuban’s a Good Provider

Avery Johnson, picking up his Coach of the Year award two years ago Evan Smith, the camera-shy editor of Texas Monthly, interviewed Dallas Mavericks head coach Avery Johnson for the mag’s forthcoming April issue. Evan kindly provides a sneak peak over at the Monthly’s Delay of Game sports blog, with…

Kidd-Napped

This old Jason Kidd poster can be yours right now, for the low, low price of $15. I’m at American Airlines Center witnessing something I thought I’d never see — no, not this guy in concert, but, of course, Jason Kidd back in a Dallas Mavericks tank top. After the…

Done Deal: Kidd’s a Mav. Again.

No more Hope-ing: Jason Kidd’s back in a Mavs uni as of seconds ago. Ready or not, Jason Kidd is a Dallas Maverick. After a week of machinations and maneuvers that took the deal from imminent to insane, the NBA just minutes ago finally stamped its approval. I’ll have more…