As usual, the Mavs will be hosting a draft party Wednesday night.  This year
it is back where it belongs in Reunion Arena [grumble, grumble, Julio
Iglasis, grumble].  The doors open at 5:00 and the draft starts at 6:30.
As always, unlike other cheepos, it is free of charge.  Free parking is
in lots B and E.  Season ticket holders get a free meal.  The Mavs will
show the season highlight film, have emcees TV announcers Bob Ortegel
and Jim Durham, have door prizes, and show TNT's coverage on large
screens.  Who knows, maybe there will be more than 7 of us still there at 
the end of the draft this year - though since the Mavs don't have a 2nd
round pick, maybe not.

[Speeking of cheepos, Houston fans had to pay $5 for tickets and another
$4 for parking to attend a victory party at the Astrodome.  They did sell 
all 51,850 tickets for the event.]

The Mavs had Alan Henderson (6-9, 225, forward) and Loren Meyer (6-10, 257,
center) in today (Saturday) for workouts.

Word has it that the two candidates that the Mavs are most interested in
at #12 is Mario Bennett and Kurt Thomas.  Thomas' stock has greatly risen
with his draft camps and team interviews.  Dick Motta hinted at that even
further in a radio interview when he said that the players the Mavs are 
looking at could help if they don't have "further injuries or psychological
problems."  Bennett suffered a torn ACL a few years ago and Thomas has
been characterized with "bizarre" on-court behavior.

Surprising to me, Doug Smith was selected by Toronto in the expansion
draft.  Being that he was a restricted free agent, Doug is now an 
unrestricted free agent and can go anywhere - if anyone will take him.  The
Mavs were not going to even try to re-sign him.  As a result of Terry
Davis not being taken, he will most likely remain with the Mavs next 
season as Terry still has two years left on his contract (and Carter won't
eat two years) - unless the Mavs can find someone who wants to trade for
him (probably a 2nd round draft pick would get Terry).  The big deal/stink
is that Roy Tarpley was not taken.  I say, "Yeah!"  It made no sense what
so ever in my mind to put Tarp out there  in the first place.  Unfortunately,
the situation is worse now.  Teams know that Dallas will be desparately
trying to trade Tarp and Roy lashed out verbally when he heard he was not
protected saying that there is no way he will ever play in Dallas again
(though he has said this before).  Motta wouldn't say it, but you could tell
that he does not want Roy back either.  But the Mavs should be able to
get something (though not much thanks to this blunder) for Roy instead of
losing him for nothing.  And don't even get me started how the local media
just despises Roy and loves bashing him.  Sure, he has problems, but he
is not the "bad person" they always label him.


patricia