Guard impresses in Mavs' loss By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News In a game that perpetuated the reputation that preseason basketball is bad, boring and not a very wise investment for fans, the Mavericks were desperate for a bright spot. Then, rookie Jose Barea stepped up and gave the Mavericks something to think about. The Puerto Rican guard has captured the coaching staff's fancy with the simple fact that he is a pure point guard. He has piled up a dozen assists in the first two preseason games, including five in 19 minutes in Thursday's deplorable 111-90 loss to Sacramento at American Airlines Center. "They didn't bring me in here to shoot the ball," said Barea, a 6-foot product of Northeastern University in Boston. "They have plenty of shooters here. They brought me here to create and make things happen. It's been a tremendous experience." Barea is battling point guard Darius Washington, shooter Pat Carroll and forward Ndudi Ebi for the 15th roster spot. Barea may be edging in front just by the way he's running the club. "He's a feisty little player," coach Avery Johnson said. That doesn't put him above the letter of the Mavericks' law. On the first possession when Barea was in the game, he allowed a wide-open jump shot by Kings' guard Mike Bibby. A few moments later, Barea was back on the bench. But he rebounded from that rough start, getting seven points and all of his assists in the second half. "This is what I've been fighting for all my life," Barea said. "It's been a dream to be here." Barea is a good friend of Carlos Arroyo, who plays for Orlando. He gave Barea some advice before he arrived in Mavericks' camp. "He just said to keep doing what I do and things would fall in place," Barea said. So far, he has, and they are. I see a lot of his games here in puerto rico and he's a monster he do it very well in his first game I hope we can continue that way do you think that he have a chance of make the team??
Never seen him play but i've heard nothing but good things. I got a question is Barea, Ebi, Wash., and Carroll all fighting for one spot?
