No surprise, Rashard Lewis went for the money and re-signed with Seattle
to a 7 year, $60-75 million contract with an opt-out after the 5th year.
Rumblings were that Seattle upped their offer a little from the $60 
million + $15 hard to reach incentives that had been on the table for 
months.

But I'm happy because one of my favorite players is back in a Mavs
uniform!  Dallas signed free agent Popeye Jones to a 1 year, minimum ($1
million, but only counts $590,850 against the cap) contract.  Pop is an 
all around good guy, great locker room presence, and has a tremendous 
knack for getting rebounds - especially offensive rebounds.  Dallas has 
been a _terrible_ rebounding team for the past several years and even 
worse on the offensive end.  The Mavs finally have a player who won't 
turn around and run up the court as soon as the ball is released.
Don Nelson sited Popeye's maturity, leadership, and all around play in
addition to his rebounding skills addressing a team need as reasons for
the signing.  He also said that the Popeye signing was independent of the
Lewis situations (ie, if the Mavs had managed to get Lewis, they still
would have been interested in Popeye).  Nelson said he didn't know yet how
he would use Popeye in the rotation and that was something that would be
figured out in training camp (only 10 days away!!!).  Popeye sited his 
defense, rebounding, passing skills, and doing the little things as 
strengths he would bring to Dallas.  

Nelson on the signing: "This is to identify a problem and try to do 
something about it and also pick up a veteran player.  He really adds a 
lot to our ballclub."

Nelson: "It's sure going to help to have a guy we know will get to
offensive rebounds.  But we got him for more than rebounding though.  We
got him for the all around guy.  You know, he's great in the locker room."

Nelson: "His skills are more than just rebounding.  He can pass; he just 
knows his way around the league now."

Popeye: "This feels like coming home.  I started my career here.  I've
always followed the team, even though I wasn't playing here."

Popeye: "My style of play hasn't changed.  I think the fans remember I try
to do all the little things to try to help the team will.  I still enjoy
rebounding and hard work."

Popeye on his health: "It's definitely been a long struggle in terms of
getting healthy.  I'm fully healthy now.  Last year was by far the most
successful year for me to enjoy basketball again."

Popeye: "Hopefully with the way I play, I can help this team take another
step, because it's very talented and the coaching staff is deep.
Hopefully I can be able to rebound, play defense, and do the little
things and be able to help this team."

Popeye on Dallas: "This is where I want to retire.  Me and my wife, we 
planned to move back here next year, regardless of my career.  So this 
just moved things up a year."  [Popeye's wife is from the area.]


The Mavs are working on re-signing Eduardo Najera and should have it done
soon.

No new word on the status of restricted free agent Wang Zhizhi, though
rumors are that the Mavs are interested in sign-and-trading him or may
keep him.

Owner Mark Cuban is marrying his long-time girl friend this weekend.
Congrats, Mark!


patricia