DALLAS -- Dallas Mavericks forward Roy Tarpley Thursday was suspended indefinitely by the NBA and went to California to enter a drug-treatment program, the second time he voluntarily sought help for alcohol and cocaine problems, team officials said.
Tarpley, already on an after-care program following voluntary treatment in the summer of 1987, notified counselors Wednesday night in Phoenix he wished additional help, the team said in a prepared statement. The Mavericks were in Phoenix to play the Suns.
Tarpley, who was named the NBA's top sixth man after his first drug treatment, departed Thursday morning for the Adult Substance Abuse Program in Van Nuys, Calif.
'Roy had another slip,' Mavericks General Manager Norm Sonju said at a news conference. 'He did not follow the after-care program as prescribed by the drug counselors. I feel for Roy. I'm sick for Roy.'
Mavericks Vice President Rick Sund said: 'He's got to lick alcohol and cocaine every day the rest of his life.'
Dallas Coach John MacLeod said Thursday night on Dallas radio station KRLD that he 'wasn't totally surprised' about Tarpley's problems because the forward has 'had ups and downs with his after-care program.'
'We were aware he was having a little struggle from time to time,' MacLeod said.
He added he was not certain when Tarpley, 24, will return.
'It might be a month, two months, (we) don't know the length of the suspension,' MacLeod said. 'We'll just have to see how Roy does in Dallas with his after-care program.
MacLeod said Tarpley will be out in California for an 'undetermined length of time,' then will come back to Dallas and work on his after-care program.
MacLeod said Maverick officials will talk Sunday or Monday and make a decision on 'which way we should go to fill up the roster spot.'
Tarpley, a third-year pro out of Michigan, entered the NBA's anti-drug program in 1987. The program has a voluntarily part and an involuntary testing program that could result in automatic dismissal from the NBA.
Under the voluntary program, players are given three chances before being banned from the league. Tarpley's new request for assistance constitutes the second of his three chances. His pay is indefinitely suspended.
Sund said Tarpley has received intense counseling the past 18 months, including frequent testing and the aid of a full-time counselor.
When Tapley's stint in California is over, the 6-foot-11 forward will likely return to Dallas, where he would live and try to prove to counselors he can handle the stress of basketball.
'They don't feel he can right now,' Sund said. 'And whatever time it will take (until) he's ready to be a valuable player for the Mavericks, we'll listen to what they say.'
Sund said Tarpley's counselor accompanied him on the team's first road trip after Tarpley's return to the team, but did not make the Mavericks' current West Coast trip.
'The Mavericks continue to be committed to Roy Tarpley,' Sonju said in a statement. 'We trust that this time away from basketball will help him gain victory in this area that's been so difficult for him.'
Tarpley returned to the team Dec. 13 after missing 14 games with torn cartilage in his left knee. In 13 games this season, he has averaged 14.8 points and 10.6 rebounds in 29.9 minutes.
Last season, Tarpley was selected the league's top reserve by averaging 13.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.
