Charles Barkley on the 2009-10 Dallas Mavericks

Last week, I found myself on the phone with Charles Barkley, talking about the 2010 NBA All-Star Game at Cowboys Stadium, among other things — one of which I was asked to strike from the permanent record about five minutes after we talked about it. (Not by Barkley, of course.) Here is what he had to say, when asked if he thought the Dallas Mavericks’ off-season moves made them a contender for the Western Conference crown.

I don’t think they’re one of the best teams in the West. It’s a two-team race: the Lakers and the Spurs. I mean, I’m not sure they’re better than Utah or Denver, to be honest with you. Let me rephrase that. They’re not better than Utah or Denver.

I took that as a “no.”

After the jump, another brief excerpt, wherein Chuck talks about Dallas and Mavericks fans.

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Dallas Stars Veteran Jere Lehtinen Working Toward Bang-Up Performance on Opening Night

FRISCO – It has long been one of the great mysteries of NHL hockey in Dallas – mild-mannered Jere Lehtinen and his devotion to head banging, heavy metal music. “It’s surprising,” captain Brenden Morrow said, shaking his head. “You’d think he’d be into classical. Maybe Beethoven.”

The Stars’ trip down to Cedar Park, Texas this week allowed Lehtinen the opportunity to see Metallica. For the seventh time. “I think this was one of the best ones,” he said. “It’s amazing. Those guys stick around and play good.”

Stars fans feel the same way about the 36-year-old right wing who is slowly recovering from hip and groin problems. He skated on his own Thursday morning and then made it through half the team’s practice as planned, the first time this pre-season that he has worked out with his teammates. Coach Marc Crawford hopes Lehtinen can put in a full practice Friday in advance of Saturday’s season opener at AAC against Nashville.

“It’s how he feels that’s dictating how much he’s doing,” Crawford said. “He understands himself. He understands the stakes.”

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Analyze the Enemy – Week 4 – Denver Broncos

THURSDAYS: We catch you up on this week’s opponent with an overall portrait of their team. This is not breaking down this week’s match-up, because that happens on Friday. This is just to set the table in preparation for laying out the gameplan.

Seven teams are undefeated in the National Football League through 3 games. Most of the 7 have major expectations this year for the playoffs and possibly the Super Bowl. The Saints, Giants, Vikings, Ravens, and Colts are thought to be amongst the best teams in the league. The final two teams are quite a surprise to the football world. The New York Jets – who offer a new coach and a rookie QB, and the unlikely story of this week’s opponent, the Denver Broncos.

Having watched the last two Denver games (at home vs. Cleveland; Away at Oakland) you certainly are impressed with a few aspects of this Broncos team. But overall, you are left wondering if their 3-0 start is more just a product of how their schedule is stacked.

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Football Musings on a Short Week

Short week, but as I break down the Broncos, check out some pretty good stuff including TC making another appearance with a solid breakdown of more Cowboys football:

First, let’s check in with our “winning correlation” numbers for the week. If you are familiar with what I am doing here, it is to check what people say about winning. Is it important to win the turnover battle to win a game? Absolutely, Positively! What about 100 yard rushers? Or 300 yard passers? Not as much. But there is still interesting stories to tell in each category. Here are the latest results:

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