Blast from the Past: Roy Tarpley Roy Tarpley is applying for reinstatement. Dude is 37 and has been playing in Europe since '95. Roy had game in his day, but couldn't stay clean. Seems to have learned hard lessons and could fill great role for us a back-up 4/5 at probably reasonable cost. Would you take the gamble and give him a chance if NBA does?
My fondest memory of Tarpley was watching Jim Petersen chase him around the Summit after Tarpley punched him. Tarpley ran like a baby and later complained that someone in the stands threw beer on him and that it caused his eyes to burn. Overall, what a waste of talent. Tarpley could have been a 20/10/3 guy for the better part of his career. Was given multiple chances to clean his act up and threw it all away every time. All of it. Last I heard, he was pushing 300 lbs. playing in Europle. At 37, I don't know how much left he has to give, although I wouldn't doubt that he could be somewhat effective for 10 mins a game or so. If I were the Rockets, I want no part of him just because of his history, which makes people like Wallace and Iverson look like Choir boys. Lucas is just talking him up IMO. Not to say that teams aren't interested in him, because 7 footers with skills will always have a place in this league, even in their late 30s (see Kevin Willis). But seeing as how rosters spots are coveted, along with salary cap space, not sure if anyone will think he is worth the league minimum (hopefully Tarpley won't be crazy and ask for an MLE) given his age, condition and history. Who knows if the NBA will even reinstate him. He was given multiple chances and blew them all. Why should the NBA reinstate him this time???
BTW, that article is erroneous with regards to Tarpley's age. He is currently 38 and will be 39 in November. Makes him even less attractive IMO.
Another interesting true event in Tarpley's life. A few years back, Tarpley was on the phone with his girlfriend when she was hit by a car and killed on LBJ freeway in Dallas. Her car had apparently broken down on LBJ and she stepped out of her car to call Tarpley for help. Another car slammed into her car while she stood in front of it.
Yes, I remember him. I was in Dallas when he was throwing his career away. So is his money running out (ala Vernon Maxwell)? If I recall correctly, Tarpley would make Rasheed Wallace look like an English gentleman.
Tarpley was banned by the league for breaking the anti-drug policy 3 times. That was for life, right?
You are acutally somewhat right on the 3 suspensions. He was suspended by the league twice and by the Mavs once. When I read that article, I thought they had it wrong too until I pulled up an old article and found that he served a team suspension too.
codell, it was 3 strikes. Two suspensions and a ban. The team suspension did not contribute to the ban.
just since you appreciate people researching things: here's the mention of it at nba.com http://www.nba.com/mavericks/history/00400544.html
I guess I was counting bans and suspensions differently. So it looks like this: Pre 1991 - Suspended twice then banned based on the 3rd strike rule. Post 1991 - Reinstated then banned again. So technically, I guess he was suspended twice by the league, banned twice by the league and suspended once by the team. Sound right?
Here is how I have his resume: January 1989 - 1st suspension by the NBA for violating the drug policy. November 1989 - Arrested for DUI. Circa 1990-1991 - 2nd suspension by the NBA for violating the drug policy (I remember this because this was the year he was suspended while on the IR with a knee injury). 1991 - Banned from NBA for testing positive again. (3 strikes) 1995 - Suspened by coach Dick Motta for conduct deterimental to the team (I think Tarp had an on the court argument with Dick) 1995 - Reinstated then banned once again for violating his aftercare programe (tested positive for alcohol) Date Unknown (from ESPN) - Even after his NBA career ended, being around Tarpley was bad news -- he was arrested on charges of burning his girlfriend's stomach with an iron, then he failed to show up for his court date. Perhaps he was in Greece, or Russia, or Poland, or China -- among the places he played while barred from the NBA. "He could have been one of the great ones, no question," said Richie Adubato, who coached Tarpley in Dallas.
yeah, the espn article confirms the date of the two bans, and the nba.com history explains the number of suspensions. man, we should start a website of archiving everytime we pull articles/facts. you ever find yourself in a thread where you have to re-pull something. One of the best I ever found was proof of Rudy's luxury doghouse he built for Hakeem...remember all those rare injuries. The funniest was when Barkley barged onto the scene and he and Rockets were rolling along in the middle of their 21-2 start, then Hakeem injured himself at halftime by a cold glass of water and was out for 4 games. hehe
What makes you think I dont do this already??? Seriously, I recommended a site to JuanValdez a week back called Hoopcorner.com. It has an interactive database that you can download for free. It has every detailed stat, for every team and player in NBA history, regular season and playoffs. I consider it my NBA bible.
Tarpley was nearly traded for Worthy, and Bird was quoted as saying how much he hated that -- because if the trade had gone through he felt the Lakes would have screwed themselves out of title contention. And yet -- he was so highly skilled. Shame he was such a dumbs%#t.
What a tremendous waste of talent Tarpley was. He definitely could've been one of the great centers, at least as good as Brad Daughtery ( a man who injury unfairly robbed of a great career) in the league along with the Dream and Ewing. I guess it goes to show you the dangers of drug addiction and the life-ruining effect sniffing a little bit of Colombian heaven up your nose can have.
