Here in NYC where Stephon Marbury isn't being held hostage, at least that's how Starbury's peeps word it to the NY media, Mavs backup point guard J.J. Barea is having a hard time getting on the floor. The Mavs signed him to a two-year contract to be Jason Kidd's backup, but Jason Terry is having to pull double-duty at shooting guard and point right now.
Mark Cuban has said that'd he be interested in exploring the possibility of bringing Marbury to Dallas if the Knicks and Marbury can come to some sort of solution, in other words a buy out. Cuban said he's not sure Marbury would be eager to become Kidd's backup. The two guards will always be linked when they traded places in a deal that landed Kidd in New Jersey where he led the Nets to two Finals appearances.
But, back to J.J., who really needs to assert himself and prove that he can be a reliable backup. Carlisle reiterated Sunday that he won't hesitate to put Barea in -- if the situation, meaning from a defensive matchup perspective, is a good one. Who knows, maybe he'll get a chance to defend the super-quick, 5-foot-9 Nate Robinson.
-- Jeff Caplan
Comments