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Mike Piellucci

@mikelikessports.bsky.social

2.6K followers 260 following 380 posts

Sports Editor, D Magazine | Co-host, 77 Minutes in Heaven | Alum: The Athletic, FOS, VICE | Best Sports Writing '22 | Holler at me: [email protected]

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Reposted by Mike Piellucci

Sean Shapiro @seanshapiro.bsky.social · 2h

For the first time in 17 years, Jamie Benn won't be in the opening-night lineup. It's a reminder that sooner than later someone will emerge as the Stars leader.

On that opportunity for whomever becomes the Stars next captain

My latest for @DMagazine

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...

The Search for the Stars’ Next Captain Begins Tonight

Tonight's season opener is Dallas' first without Jamie Benn since 2009. As their leader recovers from a collapsed lung, the Stars have an opportunity to identify the player who will eventually take up...

www.dmagazine.com

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 4h

Jamie Benn is the Stars. The Stars are Jamie Benn.

But for the first time since 2009, that won't be the case on opening night. That means the search for his successor as captain informally begins now.

Excellent stuff only @seanshapiro.bsky.social can write:

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...

The Search for the Stars’ Next Captain Begins Tonight

Tonight's season opener is Dallas' first without Jamie Benn since 2009. As their leader recovers from a collapsed lung, the Stars have an opportunity to identify the player who will eventually take up...

www.dmagazine.com

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 23h

It's a remarkable talent

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 1d

Think we can safely put to bed any questions about the Cowboys' offense. The defense? Entirely different story.

That's why, as David Moore writes, so much of where this season goes rests on Matt Eberflus' shoulders:

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...

Matt Eberflus Will Determine Where the Cowboys’ Season Goes From Here

Dallas has answered any lingering questions about its offense. Defense is another story. And the Cowboys' first-year coordinator faces plenty of challenges as he tries to right the ship.

www.dmagazine.com

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 2d

The outstanding @flemfile.bsky.social has a book coming out about the original Dallas Texans, and it is predictably great.

So I'm thrilled to be running an excerpt of it. Meet Buddy Young, a 5'4'' RB who was Dallas' first pro football star. You'll love this:

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...

Remembering the Pint-Sized Buddy Young, Dallas’ First Pro Football Star

An excerpt from the upcoming book A Big Mess in Texas: The Miraculous, Disastrous 1952 Dallas Texans and the Craziest Untold Story in NFL History.

www.dmagazine.com

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 3d

Jake Kemp's piece about yesterday's smackdown of the Jets begins by referencing French philosophy from 1897. It's also the best piece about yesterday's smackdown of the Jets. I will let you decide if these two things are related.

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...

The Cowboys Offense Finally Has a Plan B

For far too long, Dallas had nowhere to turn when its go-to options failed. Those days are over.

www.dmagazine.com

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 6d

Beginning on Sunday, the Cowboys’ schedule softens up a bit. Will that help them rebound from another missed opportunity against the team that’s haunted Dallas since January 2024?

Here’s David Moore:

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...

Where Do the Cowboys Go Next After Another Packers Haunting?

Dallas has been stuck in neutral since its playoff shellacking by Green Bay two seasons ago. Now, after another missed opportunity against its northern rival, it must plot a course forward.

www.dmagazine.com

Reposted by Mike Piellucci

rivers mccown @riversmccown.bsky.social · 7d

Let's talk about the Javontessance.

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 7d

The Cowboys have made more than their share of dumb signings, cheap signings, and dumb and cheap signings. Javonte Williams is not one of them.

Here's @riversmccown.bsky.social with an excellent look at why the 25-year-old looks reborn and why it can stick:

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...

Javonte Williams Looks Reborn For the Cowboys. Here’s Why.

Dallas entered the season with a major question at running back. The 25-year-old surprisingly looks like the answer.

www.dmagazine.com

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 7d

The Cowboys have made more than their share of dumb signings, cheap signings, and dumb and cheap signings. Javonte Williams is not one of them.

Here's @riversmccown.bsky.social with an excellent look at why the 25-year-old looks reborn and why it can stick:

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...

Javonte Williams Looks Reborn For the Cowboys. Here’s Why.

Dallas entered the season with a major question at running back. The 25-year-old surprisingly looks like the answer.

www.dmagazine.com

Reposted by Mike Piellucci

Ishmael Johnson @yeahlikethebook.bsky.social · 9d

New byline dropped 🤞🏿

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 9d

After the Kevin Jennings story, we got requests for more SMU pieces on StrongSide. We are happy to oblige -- and we got a great one in @yeahlikethebook.bsky.social writing them.

Here's his first, on where the Mustangs stand heading into ACC play this weekend:

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...

SMU Still Has Everything to Play for As ACC Play Begins

The Mustangs have their issues after an underwhelming performance in nonconference play. But all of them are surmountable, if they can tighten up on defense.

www.dmagazine.com

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 8d

Good morning! My cover story on Dirk Nowitzki is now online.

TV, life after retirement, the Mavs, Harvard business school, secret hoops training sessions, the next Nowitzki hooper, Dirk playing jazz flute -- it's all in here. I hope you enjoy.

www.dmagazine.com/publications...

Dirk is Anchorman! - D Magazine

Six years after retiring from the Mavericks, he's made a career move that would shock his younger self. And that's far from the only thing he's been doing since hanging up the jersey.

www.dmagazine.com

Reposted by Mike Piellucci

Sam Hale @samhale.bsky.social · 8d

Relevant once again, just change out the coach’s name as necessary: www.dmagazine.com/sports/2022/...

The Wings’ Problems Run Deeper Than Vickie Johnson

Dallas' decision not to bring back the head coach for a third season is justifiable. But the organization needs a systemic overhaul even more than a coaching change.

www.dmagazine.com

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 9d

After the Kevin Jennings story, we got requests for more SMU pieces on StrongSide. We are happy to oblige -- and we got a great one in @yeahlikethebook.bsky.social writing them.

Here's his first, on where the Mustangs stand heading into ACC play this weekend:

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...

SMU Still Has Everything to Play for As ACC Play Begins

The Mustangs have their issues after an underwhelming performance in nonconference play. But all of them are surmountable, if they can tighten up on defense.

www.dmagazine.com

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 10d

Just about everything from last night's game goes back to Dak Prescott. Because just about everything in this Cowboys season will, too.

Here's Jake Kemp on why Prescott looked back to his 2023 form on a weird night of football.

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...

Dak Prescott Snatched a Tie From the Jaws of Defeat Against Green Bay - D Magazine

Yes, a win would have been better. But the Cowboys wouldn't have just lost on Sunday without their quarterback—they'd be lost without him.

www.dmagazine.com

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 13d

Eight months ago, Mike McCarthy left the Cowboys. He hasn't said a word about it since... until now.

David Moore caught up with Dallas' former head coach to talk about his departure, his year with family, Schotty, Micah & more.

You know what to do:

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...

Mike McCarthy Breaks His Post-Cowboys Silence

In his first interview since leaving the team in January, the former head coach talks to D Magazine about his departure from Dallas, his year away from football, Brian Schottenheimer, and the Micah Pa...

www.dmagazine.com

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 13d

zero lies spotted

Reposted by Mike Piellucci

N.B. Lindberg @nblindberg.bsky.social · 13d

This cover alone may save print journalism

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 13d

Hey, hi, hello. I profiled Dirk Nowitzki for the cover of our October issue, and we talked about everything from TV to taking business classes to the Mavs.

Also, we got him to dress up like Ron Burgundy. Here is visual proof.

Go buy a copy! I can't wait for you to read it.

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 13d

Hey, hi, hello. I profiled Dirk Nowitzki for the cover of our October issue, and we talked about everything from TV to taking business classes to the Mavs.

Also, we got him to dress up like Ron Burgundy. Here is visual proof.

Go buy a copy! I can't wait for you to read it.

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 14d

This is the "Travis Hunter or Ashton Jeanty" Heisman race, in which the obvious answer was just "Yes"

Chris Towers is in Offseason Mode @cptowers.bsky.social · 14d

So, again: If your opinion is Aaron Judge should be MVP, you are right. If your opinion is Cal Raleigh should be MVP, you are also right. Acting like either is a bad choice is silly.

I am losing patience for all of you!

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 14d

Any talk about where the Rangers go next begins with one obvious truth: there are only so many prime Corey Seager years left to work with.

Here's @zcrizer.bsky.social on the few things Texas can count on alongside star shortstop, and what must be done to help him

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...

The Rangers Must Maximize the Corey Seager Era While They Still Can

The 31-year-old shortstop remains one of the best players in baseball. Can Texas build enough around him before it's too late?

www.dmagazine.com

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 15d

Stop me if you've heard this one before: the Wings face a pivotal offseason after a brutal year on the court.

So, what needs to be done this time around? Start by making a decision on Arike Ogunbowale's future:

Here's @juscarts.com:

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...

Arike Ogunbowale’s Future Headlines the Wings’ Offseason Decisions

Another brutal season gives way to another important offseason. Here's what Dallas must focus on to take step out of the WNBA cellar.

www.dmagazine.com

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 16d

Mikko Rantanen did really impressive work after coming over at the trade deadline. How much more impressive can it get over a full season in Dallas?

@seanshapiro.bsky.social spoke with Glen Gulutzan & Toby Petersen to find out the Stars' plan for maximizing him:

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...

What Can the Stars Expect From the First Full Year of Mikko Rantanen?

We got a glimpse of his talent in the playoffs. Now the work begins to build the Stars around it.

www.dmagazine.com

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 17d

So will they look dangerous every week? IDK. But yesterday they were definitely that and it isn't *only* Cowboys incompetence.

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 17d

Broadly, you're right. But if we're talking about yesterday, they were doing a lot of different stuff to scheme people way open, and as Jake writes in the piece, you can see Ben Johnson adapting to game flow. Not so much with Schottenheimer.

Degenerate Cowboys Fan @humantrash.bsky.social · 17d

I agree with all of the Cowboys criticism, but it's hilarious to call the Bears a "dangerous offense" because they scored 30 on this defense. Are the Giants a dangerous offense? They scored more on us. Is Daboll at the height of his powers? So far, the Bears offense has been bad.

Mike Piellucci @mikelikessports.bsky.social · 17d

The Bears hired the brightest young offensive coordinator in the NFL.

The Cowboys hired a guy no one had interviewed for head coaching jobs since Obama was in office.

Yesterday, both teams got what they paid for.

Excellent stuff by Jake Kemp:

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...

The Bears Showed Brian Schottenheimer What a Dangerous Offense Looks Like

Chicago hired the brightest young offensive mind in the NFL. Dallas opted for one with a middling résumé. Both teams got what they paid for on Sunday.

www.dmagazine.com