NatNews

The fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex covers 9,286 square miles—which is larger than Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island combined.

With more than 200 cities and incorporated towns within the metroplex, residents are able to choose from a variety of places to call home. As a result, families, friends, and individuals in relationships can often find themselves scattered across city and even county lines.

 Many individuals who live south of Interstate 635 prefer to stay south of 635 and not leave what is commonly referred to as “the bubble.” Some Dallas residents, including Jonathan Finke, are required to venture outside of the bubble to areas such as Prosper and Celina as part of their jobs, but he and his wife, Becca, typically opt not to make a trek when there’s no need to do so.

“If something happens up there, I’ll go, but we have everything we need right here,” Finke said. “Plus, I travel up there so much for work already that I don’t want to drive up there when I don’t have to.”

The distance between individuals doesn’t necessarily ruin their connections, though. While many suburbs on the far north end—such as Plano and Frisco—have added festivities and attractions for people of all ages, residents of Collin County are often willing to make the drive down to Dallas for social events and simply to spend time with their friends and family members. Robyn and James Allen live in Celina, but they can often be seen on early Saturday mornings to join the White Rock Running Co-op for its weekly long run.

“We drive to WRRC because there is a desire to remain connected to the city and the running community that we identify with,” Robyn Allen said. “Running can become monotonous, and the lake offers diversity that you can’t find in the suburbs.”

 Dallasites may prefer to stay inside the bubble, but that doesn’t mean they don’t cross 635 every once in a while.

“I have worked way outside the bubble, [and I] currently work outside the bubble,” WRRC member and Dallas resident Gigi McGuire said. “So, I have to drive a decent amount for my commute, which means that doing social stuff outside the bubble can be a drag. But with housing prices as they are in Dallas, I currently have friends all over the metro. My folks are up in Fairview, and frankly there are a lot of great things to do outside the bubble, so I go outside of it a lot—not always happy about it, though.”

For some individuals, the constant driving becomes straining on their mentalities as well as their wallets. For others, however, those are non-factors.

“It’s a long drive, especially if there’s traffic on 75, but I value my friendships enough that it doesn’t seem like much,” WRRC IT specialist and Plano resident Josh Odegard said. “Surprisingly, I’ve never considered the number of miles I drive or the cost of gas—even with fuel prices up 30–40% in the last few months. If I get to see my friends and have a good time, it’s worth it.”

Prior to the Dallas Mavericks’ series-clinching 98-96 win over the Utah Jazz last Thursday, the last time the Mavs won a playoff series was in 2011—the same year they won the championship.

Tonight, the Mavs kick off Round 2 as they take on the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference semifinals. With Mavs superstar guard Luka Dončić and Suns guard Devin Booker both back from injuries that kept each of them out of three first-round games, this matchup is expected to be a thriller. After the 11-year second-round-playoff drought, Dallas residents are certainly ready to see their team continue on its quest for another title.

“The Suns are heavily favored, as they are No. 1, but at least we have the best player on the court in Luka,” White Rock Running Co-op admin and Mavs fan Kevin Roberts said.

Dončić is coming off another dominant performance against the Jazz, notching 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists in Game 6. He also became the second-fastest player to reach 500 playoff points in the NBA, just behind Michael Jordan. It took Dončić 16 games and Jordan 14. Dončić has a strong supporting cast behind him. While he was out, point guard Jalen Brunson averaged 32 points on 50.7% from the field in the first three games of the first round. Phoenix isn’t carried by Booker alone, especially with future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul, who went 14 for 14 on Thursday night—an NBA postseason record—for 33 points to defeat New Orleans 115-109 and close out the series in Game 6.

Phoenix swept the regular season matchups 3-0 against the Mavs, but the two teams haven’t faced each other since January 20. Those games aren’t on the minds of the players and fans now, though.

“Smart money and Vegas pick the Suns, but I have faith in the Mavs in 7,” Roberts said

Players and representatives for the Mavs did not respond to requests for comments. Game 1 tips off tonight at 9 p.m. Central on TNT.

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