[some what short due to the fact I have to go to work shortly (actually, I
should be leaving now, but ...]

It is official.  Donald Carter sold the Dallas Mavericks to Ross Perot Jr.
(a realtor investor and son of the former presidential candidate.  Car
dealership owner David McDavid also obtained a minority percentage of the
team and will be the team's ownership front man.  Carter retains about
12.5% of the team.  Carter sold the team for $125 million.  Carter brought
the expansionship team to Dallas in 1980 for $13.3 million.

As a result, Dick Motta has stepped down as coach (read fired), but has
been asked to remain as a consultant.  For now, the new ownership is
retaining Norm Sonju as GM and his role in the basketball realm of the
team (which had been decreased in the past few years) will increase.
Keith Grant will retain his job as director of player personnel for now.
The ownership has not yet evaluated Grant's position.  Sonju and Grant
will start the new coach search.  Some of the names being thrown around in
the media are Paul Westphal, Rick Pitino, John Calipari, and Jim Cleamons
[IMHO, they should also take a look at Gar Heard].

In other Mavs (unfortunately) related news: Tony Dumas has been charged
with assaulting his pregnant girlfriend.  Dumas reportedly hit her
repeatedly in the face with the back of his hand and punched her in the
stomach and dragged her back into the car after she tried to flee.  This
occurred at 4 am, proving again, as a local radio personality likes to say,
nothing good ever happens after 1 am.  [Here's another point for trading
Dumas and re-signing Lucious Harris.]

Jamal Mashburn will be the guest on ESPN's UpClose today (Thursday) at
5:00 Central and rebroadcast at 2:00 am.  This was taped on Tuesday.


patricia