Tarpley's suspension is only for one game (tonight vs Boston).  He
is expected to back for Friday's practice.  Both Norm Sonju and 
Keith Grant were in the locker room talking to Tarp during the 2nd
half (and consequently missed the awesome 2nd half of the  game).
From what they said on the Mavs radio hour last night, the Tarpley
situation was just a minor glitch and will be put behind the team
and not discussed again after today.  But hearing the snibbits of
Motta's comments on ESPN about bad apples, I still say Tarpley will be
gone when the Mavs find a good/decent trade.  Management also said 
that a suspension would have occurred no matter which player had made
the comment (even Mash, Jackson, or Kidd).  The player's did not have
much to say about the incident besides that it was between the player
and the coach.  Apparently what really irked Tarpley the most about
the verbal sparring was when Motta said that if Tarpley messed with
him, Tarpley would be gone.  Tarpley said that this was the second
time he had heard Motta say that.

Houston released Eric Riley the other day, hee hee hee.  [If you don't
know, Dallas traded the rights to Riley (who they had drafted at Houston's
request) to Houston for the rights to Popeye Jones, who had spent the 
prior year playing in Italy.]

Speaking of Popeye, he underwent a root canal yesterday.

The Mavs will practice Friday from 11 to 1 at Reunion Arena before heading
to LA for Saturday's Clipper's game.  The public is invited to attend the
practice.  Admission price is a toy that will be donated to Toys for Tots.


patricia