With primary options Jermaine O’Neal deciding to not play this year and Larry Sanders checking into rehab, the Mavs’ search for an interior upgrade continues.
To the unlikeliest of places.
As in, they have signed Bernard James for the rest of the season. And they’re pondering a contract with knucklehead JaVale McGee.
James was signed as a 10-day stop-gap while Tyson Chandler recovered from injury and the team pursued other options. But other than Amar’e Stoudemire, the pickings are slim. James hasn’t exactly dominated, but he’s done enough – 4 points and 4 rebounds in 17 minutes per game – to be considered an asset down the stretch.
McGee, who should become available this afternoon after being released by the Sixers, is a talented 7-footer also prompting some tire-kicking by the Heat and Warriors. He’s athletic, can jump out of the gym and runs the floor like a deer. But his lack of worth ethic and attention to detail has led to him being dumped twice in the last three months by Lottery-bound losers Denver and Philadelphia.
The fact that Dallas is interested in him shows how barren the cupboard of big men is as NBA teams attempt to bolster rosters for the playoffs next month.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
