RISING STAR

While watching the replay telecast of the Dallas Mavericks-Chicago Bulls tiff over Basketball TV (BTV) last night (the Mavericks defeated the Bulls, 122-116 for its 11th straight win), there was something special in the game which left me in awe and in a state of disbelief. That something special points to the very impressive performance of a lean and long-limbed rookie named Rodrigue "Roddy" Beaubois from Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe playing alongside Jason Kidd in the Mavs backcourt.

Beaubois pumped in 24 big points including an incredible 18 markers in the 3rd canto alone which helped Dallas built a comfortable lead at the United Center. It was the 3rd straight career night for the 2009 first round draftee (25th pick over-all) of the Oklahoma City Thunder, after scoring 22 and 17 in the two previous contests. Dallas acquired the 22-year-old wonder and a future second round pick from the Thunder for the rights to B.J. Mullens last June.

What is truly amazing about Beaubois is that he plays with a veteran composure rarely seen in a newbie without US college hoop experience. The unheralded Beaubois is currently pitching in for the injured Jason Terry. Coach Rick Carlisle gave him his vote of confidence in the Bulls game as Beaubois was named a starter for the first time in his NBA career and played a total of 35 minutes. The highlight of Beaubois game against Chicago came during the 3rd quarter when he executed a difficult running reverse lay-up off three Bulls defenders. He also had a decent defensive stand against Bulls star guard Derrick Rose all throughout the game.

“He’s a talent,” said Kidd, who had 15 assists and 11 rebounds. “He’s going to be a special player in this league. He’s a great student.”

On his part, Beaubois gladly appreciated his legendary teammate’s comment. “It’s incredible,” Beaubois said. “You know J-Kidd knows the game. He knows everything. He really has tried to help me, give me advice. I really appreciate it.”

And it’s not only Kidd in which he is very thankful but the whole Dallas team itself. "It feels pretty good," Beaubois further exclaimed. "I've gotten the opportunity to play so I'm trying to be aggressive, just play. My teammates have given me good passes. My coaches, everybody, have been helpful."

Overall, Beaubois is averaging 6.2 points-per-game, 1.3 rpg and 1.3 apg in 39 outings with the Mavericks.

Dallas is the hottest team in the league to date and with new reliable reinforcements like Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson plus the emergence of Beaubois, it looks like there will be a new three-corner fight for supremacy in the West alongside the defending champs Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets.

The scary thing is that Dallas has yet to reach its peak.

*****

Kudos to my good friend Eileen Copon of Toronto, Canada, who took time to send me the latest issue of the Raptors Magazine….. Likewise to Joan Policarpio of Emerald Headway for sending me last Thursday, the April issue of SLAM magazine accompanied by two complementary issues of HOOP magazine. Thank you very much.