The Control Room with Esrael Yohannes

S01E27 - Mavs Graphics Producer Michaela Lewis Talks Broadcasting Career, Working Mavs, and The NBA Finals

On the 13th anniversary of the Dallas Mavericks winning their first and only NBA championship, Esrael is joined by colleague Michaela Lewis, the Mavericks Basketball Graphics Producer. Michaela runs graphics for Mavs games on their local broadcasts and has an even closer perspective on the Mavs over the last 3 seasons. She goes over her broadcasting career, her time covering the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks, and she also gives her take on what the Mavs need to do to get back in the NBA Finals series against the Boston Celtics.

S01E26 - The 2024 NBA Finals Preview - Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics

The 2024 NBA Finals are set between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics! First, Esrael puts a bow on the Conference Finals, then he breaks down stats pertaining to both teams' strengths and weaknesses. He gives his official Finals prediction at the end of the episode. Here's to the Finals!

S01E25 - How The Dallas Mavericks Can Make The NBA Finals

We've reached the Conference Finals, and the Dallas Mavericks are still dancing! Esrael breaks down how they've succeeded against the Minnesota Timberwolves to take a 2-0 series lead by laying the foundation with their success against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He'll also share his Conference Finals predictions and celebrate the All-NBA selections for this season.

S01E24 - Dallas & OKC Match Up After Mavs Send Clippers to Cancún, Thunder Sweep Pelicans

The Dallas Mavericks & the Oklahoma City Thunder will face off in the Western Conference Semifinals! Esrael breaks down how the Mavs took down the Clippers, as well as his main concern for the upcoming series against the Thunder. He'll also recap his picks from the 1st round and give predictions for the 2nd round.
 
Mavs-Thunder Series Preview: S01E20 - Apple Podcasts
 
Mavs-Thunder Series Preview: S01E20 - Spotify

S01E23 - Pelicans Live Host Erin Hartigan Talks New Orleans Playoff Adjustments

The one and only Erin Hartigan joins Esrael to talk about their experiences in athletics and broadcasting and how they use their skillsets to create a compelling show for the basketball fan. They also break down what went wrong for the New Orleans Pelicans in their first two games in Oklahoma City and what they need to do to bounce back and avoid elimination.

S01E22 - Mavs/Pelicans/Thunder Playoff Preview

The NBA Playoffs have begun! Esrael revisits what he wanted the Mavs to improve from last season and gives his prediction for how they'll fare in their 1st-round series against the LA Clippers. He then recaps the Pelicans' and Thunder's seasons and predicts who wins the series between New Orleans and Oklahoma City. He also gives his early playoff predictions for every series in the NBA.

S01E21 - Dave Evans, Former Coordinating Producer at Fox/Bally Sports Southwest

The first interview of The Control Room features Dave Evans, Esrael's former professor of Sports Broadcasting at Baylor University. He was the Coordinating Producer at Fox/Bally Sports Southwest, Oklahoma, and New Orleans. He also served the Dallas Mavericks as their Director of Broadcasting for 14 years. Esrael & Dave discuss Dave's career, including the technology advancements he's seen and the challenges he's overcome from his early years at KWTX in Waco, Texas, through the end of his time at Bally Sports.

S01E20 - The NBA's March Madness! Mavs, Pels & Thunder Are Peaking

As March Madness continues, Esrael takes a look at the red-hot Mavericks and what's helped them win 9 of their last 10 games. He also looks at the Pelicans and CJ McCollum to fill the void left by Brandon Ingram as well as the Thunder and their recent 2nd Chance success. Plus, a preview of some potential playoff matchups.

S01E19 - Mavs Make NBA History, Zion Leads The Pels & The Thunder's Tough Test

Luka Doncic and Daniel Gafford both made NBA history in the last several games, and Esrael has all the stats to break them down. And as the NBA season reaches the last 16 games, Esrael takes a look at what the Mavs, Pelicans, and Thunder all have ahead of them as they all make a playoff push.

S01E18 - Max Strus Breaks the Mavs, Pels Get Big Wins & Thunder Look to Win the West

The Mavs are broken, and it's partly because of the Strus juice. Esrael breaks down Dallas's plays and mistakes from the last 5 minutes of the Mavs-Cavs game. He also takes a look at the high-flying Pelicans after their wins against the Knicks & Pacers as well as the Thunder's quest for best in the West.
 
Mavericks vs Cavaliers: Final 5 Minutes
76ers vs Mavericks Highlights