Daily Ticket: The Blog

Friday's Pick 6

Six links to click before you head to the water cooler:

1. Gil LeBreton: The U.S. women's hockey team has to settle for the silver medal, and unlike NHL players in the Olympics, there's no Stanley Cup pursuit or large contract to ease the disappointment.

2. The Canadian women hockey team's on-ice beer-drinking, cigar-smoking celebration attracted the attention of the International Olympic Committee.

3. South Korean Kim Yu-Na won the anticipated women's figure skating showdown with Japan's Mao Asada, and Canadian Joannie Rochette turned in an emotion, bronze-winning performance. The United States did not medal for the first time since 1964.

4. Dallas Cowboys notes: Stephen Jones says the team's focus will be on building through the draft rather than free agency, and that no team has contacted him about trading for running back Tashard Choice.

5. The offensive adjustments Texas Rangers first baseman Chris Davis made after being sent to the minors last season has him feeling "better than I have in a long time."

6. Dallas Mavericks notes: Dirk Nowitzki says the result of the trade for Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson is that the Mavs can now match up with any team. The Mavs visit the Atlanta Hawks tonight (6 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest and ESPN).

-- David Thomas

Thursday's Pick 6

Six links to click before you head to the water cooler:

1. Dallas Mavericks 101, Los Angeles Lakers 96: Even without Caron Butler, the Mavs won a game that had 24 lead changes and eight ties.

2. Ray Buck: In holding their sixth consecutive opponent under 100 points, the Mavs demonstrated just how much better they are after the trade.

3. Gil LeBreton: The United States' decision to go with a younger team has the men's hockey team one win from playing for the gold medal.

4. Vladimir Guerrero brings more than a presence to the Texas Rangers lineup. His teammates already are seeing the type of presence he brings into the clubhouse.

5. Jennifer Floyd Engel: This could be the year that Michael Young's loyalty to the Rangers pays off for him.

6. The Dallas Stars placed goalie Alex Auld on waivers, and they will go with a combination of Marty Turco and Kari Lehtonen in goal for the rest of the season -- unless the Stars are "blown away" by a trade offer for Turco.

-- David Thomas

Wednesday's Pick 6

Six links to click before you head to the water cooler:

1. Dallas Mavericks notes: The new-look Mavs will get their biggest test tonight when they host the Los Angeles Lakers (8 p.m., KTXA/Channel 21 and ESPN).

2. Now with a full season at third base behind him, Michael Young is one constant in the Texas Rangers' lineup.

3. Jennifer Floyd Engel: A healthy Vladimir Guerrero would be an intriguing addition for the Rangers.

4. Gil LeBreton: Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette turned in an emotional performance two days after her mother's death.

5. The United States' first medal ever in the Nordic team combined event carries special meaning for Todd Lodwick, who came out of retirement to compete in his fourth Olympics.

6. TCU 79, UNLV 64: The Horned Frogs women's basketball team came back from a week off to extended its school-record home winning streak to 21 games.

-- David Thomas

Tuesday's Pick 6

Six links to click before you head to the water cooler:

1. Dallas Mavericks 91, Indiana Pacers 82: Center Brendan Haywood turned in another huge game -- 13 points, 20 rebounds and three blocks -- as the Mavs won their fourth consecutive game.

2. Jennifer Floyd Engel: Ian Kinsler -- much like the Texas Rangers as a whole -- is ready to shed the "potential" talk.

3. Khalil Greene, signed to be the Rangers' utility infielder, will not attend spring training after experiencing a relapse of social anxiety.

4. Gil LeBreton: Canada's and the United States' gold-silver finish signals a new day in Russian-dominated ice dancing.

5. The much hoped-for United States vs. Canada matchup for the women's hockey gold medal came to fruition when both teams easily won their semifinals matchups. The teams meet Thursday evening.

6. Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh wants to ensure his spot as the top player in the NFL Draft by working out at Michael Johnson's Performance Center in McKinney.

-- David Thomas

Monday's Pick 6

Six links to click before you head to the water cooler:

1. Gil LeBreton: The United States' 5-3 win over Canada in hockey was another major letdown for what has been a disappointing showing for the host country.

2. Jennifer Floyd Engel: Among the "ifs" at Texas Rangers spring training, catcher is the biggest.

3. The Rangers are developing a plan to help new ace Rich Harden avoid the injuries that have plagued his career.

4. With almost 19,000 runners registered, Saturday's Cowtown Marathon could be the biggest yet.

5. The Dallas Mavericks' trade is already reaping positive results. The Mavs host the Indiana Pacers tonight (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest).

6. A look back at the magical season of the 1971 Arlington Heights boys basketball team.

-- David Thomas

Friday's Pick 6

Six links to click before you head to the water cooler:

1. Gil LeBreton: U.S. figure skater Evan Lysacek's surprising defeat of Russian Evgeni Plushenko was more about the future of skating than past U.S.-Soviet rivalries.

2. Randy Galloway: The Dallas Mavericks' trade for Caron Butler & Co. made the Mavs a better team, but they're still not to the level of the Los Angeles Lakers.

3. Mavs notes: Josh Howard takes aim at his old team, saying he wants to "stick it to the Mavs." The Mavs visit the Orlando Magic tonight (7 p.m., KTXA/Channel 21 and ESPN).

4. Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux, in his second spring training with the Rangers, considers his pitching staff the most improved in the American League West.

5. Jennifer Floyd Engel: If C.J. Wilson as a potential starter intrigues Nolan Ryan, that should be enough to intrigue us all.

6. Dallas Cowboys notes: The Cowboys are looking into the possibility of splitting this year's training camp between San Antonio and Oxnard, Calif.

-- David Thomas

Ware has successful surgery; so does Ball and Preston

 

Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware underwent successful surgery Thursday to have a bone spur removed from his left foot.

The procedure was not considered serious and he should be available for the start of the team’s off-season workouts in March.

Ware was hampered by neck, thumb and foot injuries for much of the 2009 season. Yet, he didn’t miss any games and led the Cowboys with 11 sacks.

Safety Alan Ball and guard Duke Preston also underwent successful clean-up surgeries on their ankles Thursday. They too will be ready for the start of the off-season program.

Thursday's Pick 6

Six links to click before you head to the water cooler:

1. Dallas Mavericks 107, Phoenix Suns 97: In their second strong defensive effort since trading for three players, the Mavs became only the seventh team all season to hold the Suns under 100 points.

2. Randy Galloway: Covering a variety of topics with Nolan Ryan as Texas Rangers spring training gets underway.

3. Rangers manager Ron Washington and players believe the talent is in place to make a run at the A.L. West championship.

4. Jerry Jones said the Dallas Cowboys will not use a franchise tag to keep Austin Miles, but added that they have no plans to let the restricted free agent get away.

5. Gil LeBreton: Unexpected rest, cheese and good old-fashioned adrenaline helped Lindsey Vonn overcome a demanding course and win gold in the women's downhill.

6. Tiger Woods is going to talk on live television Friday morning in his first public appearance since "the scandal" broke. But media access is extremely limited and Woods will not field any questions.

-- David Thomas

Wednesday's Pick 6

Six links to click before you head to the water cooler:

1. Oklahoma City Thunder 99, Dallas Mavericks 86: Even with their new guys in uniform, the Mavs scored only 32 points in the second half. Erick Dampier suffered a finger injury that will keep him at least out of tonight's home game with the Phoenix Suns (8 p.m., KTXA/Channel 21 and ESPN).

2. Mark Cuban said the All-Star Game has him wanting to look into the possibility of the Mavs playing an occasional game at Cowboys Stadium.

3. Gil LeBreton: There was no snowboard cross gold medal again for Lindsey Jacobellis, who crashed out of the semifinals.

4. San Diego State 68, TCU 51: Coach Jim Christian admitted frustration with his team after a less-than-inspired effort at home, where the 12-15 Horned Frogs are now 8-7.

5. Daryl Johnston is actively encouraging students to take part in service-learning as part of the North Texas Super Bowl's SLANT 45 program.

6. Texas linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy is among the NFL Draft hopefuls preparing for the Scouting Combine at the Michael Johnson Performance Center in McKinney.

-- David Thomas

Tuesday's Pick 6

Six links to click before you head to the water cooler:

1. Caron Butler said he will bring "edge and nastiness" to the Dallas Mavericks. The new Mavs make their debut tonight at Oklahoma City (7 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest).

2. Jimmy Burch: Colt McCoy, the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award winner, knows he will once again have to overcome doubters when he reaches the NFL.

3. Gil LeBreton: A more mature Bode Miller has a bronze medal in his return from his flop in Torino.

4. The Olympic men's hockey tournament will feel like a series of NHL all-star games. Here is what you need to know about the tournament. The United States begins play today against Switzerland (2 p.m., USA).

5. Former Texas A&M and Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillespie is ready to return to coaching following treatment for alcohol abuse.

6. Next up at Cowboys Stadium: the Professional Bull Riders on Saturday.

-- David Thomas