Roy Tarpley (still on the books)!

 I read this today and could'nt believe that Roy Tarpley is still taking money from the Mavericks, after all these years of false promises! What I remember most that is not mentioned in the article is then owner Don Carter storing Tarpley's Mercedes in his garage while Roy was in one of his many drug rehabilitation programs. Where did the Mavericks and NBA err in their judgement? He had at least 3-4 known chances in the NBA not to mention the multiple tests that he failed that were not reported. What a waste of talent!

Taken from Associated Press:

Tarpley settles suit vs. NBA, Mavs

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HOUSTON -- Former NBA player Roy Tarpley settled a federal lawsuit against the NBA and the Dallas Mavericks in which he claimed the league and the team violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by refusing to reinstate him after a ban for drug use.

Tarpley, now 44, filed the lawsuit in September 2007, arguing that the league and team discriminated against him on the basis of his disability as a recovering drug and alcohol abuser.

Tarpley said in his lawsuit that he had successfully completed the one year of drug and alcohol testing requested by the league.

The lawsuit was settled on Jan. 22, according to a filing signed by U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt. Terms of the settlement could not be immediately determined.

Tarpley's attorney, Joe Walker, told KRIV-TV in Houston on Sunday that the lawsuit had been settled. Walker did not immediately return a call on Monday.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban did not immediately return an e-mail on Monday.

The 7-foot Tarpley was the seventh pick in the 1986 NBA draft out of Michigan. He played for the Mavs until October 1991, when he was kicked out of the NBA for using cocaine.

He played professionally in Greece until he was reinstated by the NBA in 1994 and signed a six-year, $20 million contract with the Mavericks. He was then permanently banned from the NBA in December 1995 for using alcohol and violating the terms of a court-imposed personal aftercare program.

Tarpley entered a drug and alcohol recovery program in 2003 with the help of former NBA coach John Lucas, who has helped other athletes get clean.

He averaged 12.6 points and 10 rebounds in 280 career NBA games.