Tarpley attends game, hints at a comeback
Former Maverick Roy Tarpley was at American Airlines Center for Tuesday night's game, the first time he has been in the 4-year-old building.
He was there as a fan. But the possibility exists that he may yet be on the court as a player someday, although not necessarily as a Maverick.
Though he would not offer any hints, Tarpley promised that the basketball world would be hearing more from him in the near future.
"I've got some big news happening soon," he said. "It ain't over yet."
Tarpley, who turned 40 in November, has been out of the NBA since Dec. 6, 1995, when he was disqualified from the league for violation of the substance-abuse program. Though he played for the Mavericks at that time, it is not known whether they would own his NBA rights now.
Playing periodically in other leagues since his banishment, Tarpley has spent the last year in Houston under the care of John Lucas, who runs a drug-treatment aftercare program.
"He's doing what he needs to do," Lucas said. "He might have the ambition to play basketball again. Skill-wise, absolutely [he could play in the NBA]. He could be a nice guy off the bench."
Looking fit and sporting a hand-clapping noisemaker just like most of the shorter fans in his section, Tarpley could petition for reinstatement to the NBA at any time. Players suspended for substance problems can reapply after two years. But they must prove their sobriety, among other things, to league officials.
Lucas would not say if Tarpley was planning on trying for reinstatement. "Call me in two weeks," he said.
"It's nice here," Tarpley said of AAC. "I'm just enjoying an evening night. I know lots of the guys on these teams."
Former Maverick Roy Tarpley was at American Airlines Center for Tuesday night's game, the first time he has been in the 4-year-old building.
He was there as a fan. But the possibility exists that he may yet be on the court as a player someday, although not necessarily as a Maverick.
Though he would not offer any hints, Tarpley promised that the basketball world would be hearing more from him in the near future.
"I've got some big news happening soon," he said. "It ain't over yet."
Tarpley, who turned 40 in November, has been out of the NBA since Dec. 6, 1995, when he was disqualified from the league for violation of the substance-abuse program. Though he played for the Mavericks at that time, it is not known whether they would own his NBA rights now.
Playing periodically in other leagues since his banishment, Tarpley has spent the last year in Houston under the care of John Lucas, who runs a drug-treatment aftercare program.
"He's doing what he needs to do," Lucas said. "He might have the ambition to play basketball again. Skill-wise, absolutely [he could play in the NBA]. He could be a nice guy off the bench."
Looking fit and sporting a hand-clapping noisemaker just like most of the shorter fans in his section, Tarpley could petition for reinstatement to the NBA at any time. Players suspended for substance problems can reapply after two years. But they must prove their sobriety, among other things, to league officials.
Lucas would not say if Tarpley was planning on trying for reinstatement. "Call me in two weeks," he said.
"It's nice here," Tarpley said of AAC. "I'm just enjoying an evening night. I know lots of the guys on these teams."
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