Second year guard Jose Juan Barea may prevent the Mavericks from getting Jason Kidd, not because of his contract, but because of his talent. Now that Jason Terry is down, Barea may finally get a chance to show his metal.
More Minutes, Responsibility for Barea -- January 29, 2008, By EDDIE SEFKO, The Dallas Morning News
As what often happens after a mental foul-up, J.J. Barea took some needling after he launched what passed for a desperation 3-point heave against Memphis on Monday, when there was still plenty of time to get a legitimate shot.
His coach couldn't help but bring it up in a postgame interview.
"He needs to learn not to shoot half-court shots with seven seconds on the shot clock," Avery Johnson said, barely able to suppress a grin.
That it happened in a blowout victory meant everybody could laugh about it. But it was one of those things that reminds everybody that Barea is a young player who will make mistakes.
"I should have looked up at the clock," he said of his unanswered prayer. "I could have driven. I had lots of time."
He just got confused. It happens.
But doing so against the woeful Grizzlies is one thing.
Starting Thursday, the stakes for Barea and the Dallas Mavericks rise significantly. They play the Eastern Conference's three divisional leaders in a row on the road, starting with Boston, which owns the NBA's best record.
It also will be a homecoming of sorts for Barea, the Puerto Rican who went to college at Northeastern in Boston.
These are intriguing times for the backup point guard, who is generously listed at 6-foot. With Devin Harris on the shelf, Jason Terry is the starter at the point. Barea is the backup, and the Mavericks are eager to give him a chance to keep the job, which is why at this point they don't expect to be players in the Jason Kidd sweepstakes, in spite of rumors sweeping across the NBA.
Unless New Jersey plans on a fire sale of Kidd – unlikely given Nets president Rod Thorn's reputation as one of the league's saltiest personnel bosses – the price for Kidd will be prohibitive.
Plus, the thought of paying Kidd's $21 million salary next season, in addition to another $21 million in luxury tax to the league, is not palatable, even for an aggressive owner like Mark Cuban.
For now, a couple more weeks of Barea getting 15 to 20 minutes per game is the plan.
"He's a confident guy," Dirk Nowitzki said. "He's played internationally for his country for a lot of years, and he knows how to handle big games. He's actually a great finisher in the lane for as little as he is."
And Barea is not afraid to launch his shot, the gaffe in Memphis notwithstanding. He had nine points against the Grizzlies, and he's hit 11 of 27 3-pointer attempts this season (40.7 percent).
He's also been getting hands-on mentoring from Johnson during practice sessions.
"The chances that I got lately have helped me out," Barea said. "I understand Coach a little more. He's helped me out big-time. He knows what I do best, and he helps me out calling the right plays. So I just try to get better, do what he wants me to do and keep it simple.
"When I come in, I just got to keep running the team, not turn the ball over and play good defense."
....
As what often happens after a mental foul-up, J.J. Barea took some needling after he launched what passed for a desperation 3-point heave against Memphis on Monday, when there was still plenty of time to get a legitimate shot.
His coach couldn't help but bring it up in a postgame interview.
"He needs to learn not to shoot half-court shots with seven seconds on the shot clock," Avery Johnson said, barely able to suppress a grin.
That it happened in a blowout victory meant everybody could laugh about it. But it was one of those things that reminds everybody that Barea is a young player who will make mistakes.
"I should have looked up at the clock," he said of his unanswered prayer. "I could have driven. I had lots of time."
He just got confused. It happens.
But doing so against the woeful Grizzlies is one thing.
Starting Thursday, the stakes for Barea and the Dallas Mavericks rise significantly. They play the Eastern Conference's three divisional leaders in a row on the road, starting with Boston, which owns the NBA's best record.
It also will be a homecoming of sorts for Barea, the Puerto Rican who went to college at Northeastern in Boston.
These are intriguing times for the backup point guard, who is generously listed at 6-foot. With Devin Harris on the shelf, Jason Terry is the starter at the point. Barea is the backup, and the Mavericks are eager to give him a chance to keep the job, which is why at this point they don't expect to be players in the Jason Kidd sweepstakes, in spite of rumors sweeping across the NBA.
Unless New Jersey plans on a fire sale of Kidd – unlikely given Nets president Rod Thorn's reputation as one of the league's saltiest personnel bosses – the price for Kidd will be prohibitive.
Plus, the thought of paying Kidd's $21 million salary next season, in addition to another $21 million in luxury tax to the league, is not palatable, even for an aggressive owner like Mark Cuban.
For now, a couple more weeks of Barea getting 15 to 20 minutes per game is the plan.
"He's a confident guy," Dirk Nowitzki said. "He's played internationally for his country for a lot of years, and he knows how to handle big games. He's actually a great finisher in the lane for as little as he is."
And Barea is not afraid to launch his shot, the gaffe in Memphis notwithstanding. He had nine points against the Grizzlies, and he's hit 11 of 27 3-pointer attempts this season (40.7 percent).
He's also been getting hands-on mentoring from Johnson during practice sessions.
"The chances that I got lately have helped me out," Barea said. "I understand Coach a little more. He's helped me out big-time. He knows what I do best, and he helps me out calling the right plays. So I just try to get better, do what he wants me to do and keep it simple.
"When I come in, I just got to keep running the team, not turn the ball over and play good defense."
....
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