There is a good chance that no team within the NBA bubble is having more fun than the Dallas Mavericks. From fishing to dancing to spikeball, the Mavs were a barrel of laughter during their three-week stay in central Florida.
And Jason “Chopper” Chinnock is the person who captured those moments for the MAVs and their MFFLs.
Chopper, digital producer of Mavs, has the unique ability to be able not only to take photos and videos, but also to modify packages. In this fast growing sector, this makes him an all-rounder.
“Chopper is the man,” said coach Rick Carlisle. “He’s also getting a lot of love down here (in Orlando).
“It is always everywhere. Some of the things he got in the movie are incredible. “
Mavs’ social media platforms have received rave reviews across the NBA after being filled with fun and insightful content by Chopper, a shy and unpretentious 34-year-old who according to the Mavs is the perfect person for this job.
“I’m definitely enjoying what I’m doing,” said Chopper. “Some staff members (Mavs) make fun of me for always taking the camera off and keep telling me to take a break.
“But I like what I do. My hobby is also my job. “
In fact, it is a job that Chopper takes very seriously, since he was out of work when he was chosen by hand to tag with the Mavs and tell their story experiences in Orlando.
Chopper had worked on the FOX Sports Southwest broadcast of the Mavs games. So the coronavirus pandemic hit, and that job, along with other freelance jobs that Chopper had in his pocket, fell to the ground.
But after that storm came a rainbow from a Chopper concert.
“It was not possible to find a more perfect time and a more perfect person for this opportunity,” said Mike Marshall, senior director of digital for the Mavs, who anchored Chinnock. Chopper made some changes with us and some video elements during the quarantine downtime. I knew his situation.
“You have two or three freelance jobs and this happens when all the sports you cover are paused at the same time and you are simply left out. I know he has exceptional talent and would be fantastic with the opportunity. It’s kind of a help for someone who respects a lot and wishes to have a good opportunity, but he also earned that hit. It’s not a charity deal. He’s obviously very talented and solves every occasion, so he’s just perfect. “
So perfect that by rubbing with all the Mavs, Chopper captured some amazing videos and photos that eventually made their way onto ESPN, NBA TV and TV stations in the Dallas / Fort Worth area. The memorable video that emerged from the most involved point guard Luka Doncic, who last week kicked incredibly football-style over the 3-point arc.
“Luka just got up and kicked the 40-foot ball and detonated it, and Chopper took it on the film,” said Carlisle. “It was amazing. This was before rehearsals began and there was some kind of free throw in the gym. “
And then there were the videos of the Boban Marjanovic center, Maxi Kleber and Antonius Cleveland fishing, and another unforgettable video of the Mavs playing spikeball.
“Basically, I know my job doesn’t end when the practice ends, so I have to be ready to catch every time something happens,” said Chopper. “Since the practice is a little more limited by the fact that everyone is there, it is much easier to see them all, so I try to keep an eye on who is doing what and where people are around and I make sure to see if I can jump on a boat.
“I went with Boban, AC and Max (on a fishing adventure), and it was only I who asked if I could jump on the boat with them. Boban has captured two big basses. And of course, the guys are all super competitive with each other, so they challenged each other. Two boats came out that day and were talking about who would catch the biggest fish. “
Carlisle gave Chopper a full access virtual pass to many areas of the Mavs’ behind the scenes activities that he usually doesn’t give to the media. And Chopper obviously appreciates Carlisle very much.
“Rick said he opened it to me, and by extension, to all the Mavs fans out there,” said Chopper. “So I’m extremely grateful for the access, because more access means more possibilities to shoot videos and images. And this alone is an extraordinary opportunity. “
For a media person, having full access to what a team does is like the last golden ticket that takes work to an extraordinary level. In Chopper’s case, it gave him more opportunities to get to know players and coaches on a more personal and fun-loving level.
“I’m very used to being a bit of a fly on a wall,” said Chopper. “But there have been times when I’m rushing to go help with a Zoom call or go get something else, and (assistant) coach (Jamahl) Mosley or another player yells behind me and says, ‘Go to take it, Chop! ‘
“And the mere fact that Rick has yelled my name several times has honestly: I was taken aback for a while. I have tried to stay under the radar as much as possible, but I imagine it is difficult to stay under the radar when there are only 35 people in the party traveling. “
While Chopper is showing off his name, he is quick to point out that what he has been able to accomplish has required a lot of help. Jonathan Lim and Marshall help edit Chopper’s videos, Monica Borja and Steve Chavera do the same with the photos, and Becca Genecov and Lizelle Lauron from the social media team get her work on multiple Mavs social media platforms. It really is a team effort.
“The content that emerges from the Mavericks’ social stuff is edited and published by the whole digital team at home (in Dallas),” Chopper said. “So I’m just shooting (videos and photos), and in doing so it frees me to shoot more, to be able to go out and shoot the kids who fish and do other things.
“If I had to come back here and edit for hours, there is much less I could shoot, so I’m extremely grateful that Mike Marshall installed that system. They make my footage much more beautiful than I think, so I’m extremely grateful for the whole digital team. “
Players also turn to Chopper to acquire some things they can use on their social media platforms.
“I try to find out when Luka or someone is taking a fun make-up photo, but occasionally I’m pointing my camera somewhere else,” said Chopper. “But if they want to get something, they’ll scream my name and I will take whatever they need, and then I can get back any photos or videos so they can use it however they want.”
Marshall congratulates Carlisle for allowing Chopper to enter areas previously not permitted by the media.
“We are allowing (Chopper) to have almost unlimited access to our practices and meetings,” said Carlisle. “We will give a lot of content to Instagram, Twitter and all those things, so that our fans can have a vision as close as possible to this historical situation.
“Our kids had a really fantastic approach and attitude in coming here knowing that there will be limits and knowing that at the end of the day we just met. They are posting some really cool things on social media and having fun with it. “
Chopper and the Mavs left Dallas on July 8th and could be in Orlando from late August to early October. He said he uses FaceTime to communicate with his girlfriend and puppy.
Marshall’s advice to Chopper was: “Be very patient and communicate excessively with me and everyone else here (in Dallas). You can feel a little lonely, you can get bored, you can forget why you are working so hard, so this is a big part of my management of him.
“Jonathan Lim and I are the people who work with him most closely on a daily basis. We just try to give him new ideas, keep the ideas flowing, keep the inspiration there. There will be a level of burnout that goes with being in the same position, shooting the same thing for three months. But he is a very concentrated person to begin with. “
More importantly, Marshall acknowledged that Chopper is giving Mavs fans what they want: many funny videos and photos that turn into lasting and invaluable conversation pieces.
“I knew it would do a good job,” said Marshall. “He is the perfect person for that type of opportunity and I was very impressed with what he did. It was great.
“Mavs fans have noticed, no. 1, and internally we have noticed how hard it is working. I’ve known him for a while and I know he was a workhorse. He is very determined, and can do his job and not intrude. “
Chopper is certainly not in the midst of Carlisle or the Mavs players. They are enjoying his job.
“He is perfect for this because he has a great essential personality, but he is extremely personable,” said Carlisle. “And everyone admires him here for his toughness.”
Twitter: @DwainPrice
