Craig Berlin

A Fort Worth native who grew up with the fledgling Mavericks, Craig graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in Plan II, the Liberal Arts Honors Program and Radio-TV-FIlm. He has been running a business in Austin for 25+ years and is a MFFL (Maverick fan for life) but just started writing about his favorite NBA team in July 2012.

Latest Updates

Quick Take: Mavericks Tie NBA Record for Overtime Losses

Theoretically, where there’s smoke there’s fire, right?   So with Dirk back, almost knocking off both the Thunder and the Heat means things are turning around, right? #FAIL No, instead when…Read More

So Long 2012 – and Good Riddance

The year is ending and it’s been a tough stretch for the Mavericks and observers who have no control over what’s gone on the past couple of years.  It’s difficult to watch a franchise struggling…Read More

Dallas Mavericks at Oklahoma City Thunder Preview

Durant, Durant. Since the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals two years ago the teams have headed in opposite directions. This year, to the surprise of…Read More

Happy Holidays from The Smoking Cuban

Happy Holidays from the Smoking Cuban! I’ll be traveling for the holidays so updates will be a little more sporadic.  With apologies for the inconvenience,  this is largely a labor of love and…Read More

Spurs Rain Threes on Dirk’s Parade

    The Mavericks got a surprise holiday gift Sunday night with the unexpected return of Dirk Nowitzki, who announced just before the game he was ready to go and came of the bench during the…Read More

And more..

Prescriptions for Failure and a Lame Mavericks-Spurs Preview

  As the Mavericks head down I-35 to face the third in a series of four games against the league’s…Read More

Dallas Mavericks at Memphis Grizzlies Preview

Long distance information give me Memphis, Tennessee Help me find a victory before the Spurs and OKC…  The…Read More

Quick Take: Mavericks Can’t Take the Heat

Well, at least they still have the banner hanging up in the AAC, right? The shorthanded Dallas Mavericks…Read More

Miami Heat at Dallas Mavericks Preview

This has turned into an interesting rivalry and no doubt Mavs fans are hoping for a return to something…Read More

Something Different: Mavericks Go “Big” in the Fourth, Top Sixers 107-100

  The Mayo & Kaman show got some help from a few friends as head coach Rick Carlisle went “big”…Read More

Quick Take: Mavericks Get “Big” Win Over 76ers

Sometimes things happen for the best. That is not to say I’m glad Elton Brand and Derek Fisher…Read More

Philadelphia 76ers at Dallas Mavericks Preview

    The last time the Dallas Mavericks faced the Philadelphia 76ers, it almost seemed as if…Read More

Close But No Cigar: Breaking Down Another Mavericks OT Loss

  The Dallas Mavericks journeyed once again into overtime only to fall again, this time to the…Read More

Quick Take: Dallas Mavericks Lose Another in OT to Minnesota Timberwolves

  The Dallas Mavericks managed to take the Minnesota Timberwolves into overtime for their second…Read More

Dallas Mavericks – Minnesota Timberwolves Preview

The Dallas Mavericks travel to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves back-to-back after suffering a…Read More

It’s the Same Old Song: Mavericks Walloped by Lowly Raptors

  Coming into Toronto to face a hapless Raptors team in the midst of a six-gam losing streak didn’t…Read More

Quick Take: Mavericks Blown Out Again, this Time by Raptors

The good news is the Celtics had a similar record going into the All-Star break last year and ended…Read More

Dallas Mavericks at Toronto Raptors Preview

When you’re guy says you’re bad it might make you real mad That’s not amore’… You…Read More

Mavericks Drop Tough 2OT Loss to Celtics

“Now don’t be sad ‘cause 2 outta 3 ain’t bad.” After being outshot many games this season…Read More

Quick Take: Mavericks Turnovers Lead to Double OT Loss to Celtics

The Dallas Mavericks played the Boston Celtics tough for 58 minutes but in the end, turnovers sank the…Read More