Curry out, Murphy in as Dallas Mavericks still tinkering

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By Dwain Price

DALLAS -- The Dallas Mavericks played a form of musical chairs Friday with some interior players.

For starters, the Mavs waived center Eddy Curry after his brief eight-day stint with the franchise. Shortly thereafter, the Mavs signed power forward Troy Murphy to a one-year contract.

Curry was released because the Mavs are extremely hopeful that center Chris Kaman will be able to see his first action of the season in tonight's 7:30 home opener against the Charlotte Bobcats at American Airlines Center. Murphy was signed because he does some of the same things as the injured Dirk Nowitzki -- as far as stretching the court with his long-range jumpers.

"We need rebounding and we need shooting, and [Murphy is] a veteran guy that's proven in both of those areas," coach Rick Carlisle said. "Just a solid tough all-around guy, very skilled and can rebound the ball."

Power forward Elton Brand also believes the addition of Murphy could be a bonus.

"He's a solid veteran player, a big man, he hustles hard and can shoot the ball," Brand said. "I think he'll be a great addition to the team."

Now in his 12th season, Murphy averaged 3.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game last season for the Los Angeles Lakers. The 6-foot-11, 245-pounder has career averages of 10.9 points and 7.9 rebounds in 27.5 minutes per contest, and will be in uniform tonight.

After he was traded from Golden State to Indiana on Jan. 17, 2007, Murphy played 42 games for then-Pacers coach Carlisle and averaged 11.1 points and 6.1 rebounds.

"I had some battles with him when he was at Golden State," Kaman said. "He shoots the ball well and played hard, and I think he's going to be a good asset for us."

The Mavs originally claimed Curry off waivers on Oct. 25. Brand noted that he'll miss all that precious space Curry's overly wide body took up in the paint.

"I'll miss that presence," said Brand of the player who averaged 4.5 points and two rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game for the Mavs. "He had a big presence down there.

"I hope Eddy Curry gets picked up by a team because in the minutes he did play he played OK for us.."

Meanwhile, the Mavs hope Kaman's strained right calf will not keep him out of this morning's shootaround so he can be ready to play tonight.

"If I play, I play. If I don't play... I'm hoping to play and I'm wanting to play," Kaman said. "I can't guarantee it at this point, but I've got to see how I feel.

"But at the same time if it's not something I'm able to do, then I'm not going to do it. I'm going to do what's best for the team and also what's best for myself long-term, because if I play now and set myself that much farther back, that hurts the team and it also hurts me."

Beaubois again hurt

Injuries have just become a way of life for guard Rodrigue Beaubois.

The last time the media saw Beaubois he was hobbling off the practice floor Friday on one leg after turning his left ankle. It is not known if Beaubois, who has endured repeated issues with the same ankle, will be able to play tonight.

"He turned his ankle again,'' Rick Carlisle said. "We're hoping he's going to be OK and it's not serious.''

Cuban giving $1 million

Owner Mark Cuban took to his Twitter account to announce that he's donating $1 million to the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

"Im going to donate $1mm dollars to support the victims of #Sandy in the name of @dallasmavs and @AXSTV," Cuban tweeted. "Any suggestions on which entity ?"

Cuban also told TV station KDFW/Channel 4 in Dallas that if billionaire mogul Donald Trump shaved his head, he would give $1 million to a charity of Trump's choice.

Mavs set to entertain

Starting with tonight's home opener against the Bobcats, the Mavs want to show why their non-game-related entertainment at American Airlines Center is second to none in the NBA.

"We spent a lot of money and put in a lot of creativity into all the Jumbotron videos, so there's going to be a whole new series of Jumbotron videos," Mark Cuban said. "It'll be a lot of really exciting and fun family entertainment.

"We're competitive and we want to maintain our lead around the league about offering the best entertainment in the league."

Dwain Price, 817-390-7760

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