Spring Break
A great unknown
Jeff Ellis
Issue date: 1/22/09 Section: Sports
When you think of an NBA superstar, certain names in particular ring a sounding bell. The greatest player to ever play the game, Kobe Bryant, is an easy first; freak athletes Lebron James and Dwight Howard are inevitable all-star picks, and Chris Paul, possibly the smoothest point guard to ever grace the hardwood, are all close seconds, thirds and fourths.
Another player not often mentioned or featured on ESPN following every game is a player who has a bag of tricks much larger than his six-foot frame. This man is a beast and a straight-up baller.
Jose Barea is his name and point guarding is his game. With just two years experience under his belt after declaring himself eligible for the NBA draft from Northeastern, Barea is making strides in his development. Career averages may be deceiving, however, seeing that he has only been averaging 4.6 points, 1.8 assists and .25 steals during his short stint in the league.
This season, though, Jose "Ice" Barea has amped up his play significantly. His handles could categorize him with the likes of NBA greats Big Country Reeves, Rik Smits and Mark Madsen. His jumper is as pretty or prettier than that of Shaq or Shawn Bradley. He is a floor general who has the option of dribbling around aimlessly until he can go no further, only to be so generous as to hand the ball to the other team for a fast-break tomahawk.
But his best attribute goes unnoticed by every fan and columnist, which is why I am paying him dues for his ability to warm the seat on which he has spent so much time for the Dallas Mavericks. He keeps the pines comfortable for starters who need a breather. His quick swap of bench seating is definitely appreciated by teammates, including Jason Terry.
All in all, this article is a tribute/joke for the player some of us know and love: Jose Barea. Give it up for him next time he scores - that is, if he scores. I do, and you should too.
Jeff Ellis, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
Another player not often mentioned or featured on ESPN following every game is a player who has a bag of tricks much larger than his six-foot frame. This man is a beast and a straight-up baller.
Jose Barea is his name and point guarding is his game. With just two years experience under his belt after declaring himself eligible for the NBA draft from Northeastern, Barea is making strides in his development. Career averages may be deceiving, however, seeing that he has only been averaging 4.6 points, 1.8 assists and .25 steals during his short stint in the league.
This season, though, Jose "Ice" Barea has amped up his play significantly. His handles could categorize him with the likes of NBA greats Big Country Reeves, Rik Smits and Mark Madsen. His jumper is as pretty or prettier than that of Shaq or Shawn Bradley. He is a floor general who has the option of dribbling around aimlessly until he can go no further, only to be so generous as to hand the ball to the other team for a fast-break tomahawk.
But his best attribute goes unnoticed by every fan and columnist, which is why I am paying him dues for his ability to warm the seat on which he has spent so much time for the Dallas Mavericks. He keeps the pines comfortable for starters who need a breather. His quick swap of bench seating is definitely appreciated by teammates, including Jason Terry.
All in all, this article is a tribute/joke for the player some of us know and love: Jose Barea. Give it up for him next time he scores - that is, if he scores. I do, and you should too.
Jeff Ellis, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Be the first to comment on this story
Comments by registered users are approved by default.