Mark Cuban Gave J.J. Barea The Team's Private Plane To Bring Relief Supplies To Puerto Rico and Bring His Family Home
DALLAS — Mavericks owner Mark Cuban loaned the team plane to point guard J.J. Barea to transport food, water and supplies to Barea’s native Puerto Rico to aid in the recovery from Hurricane Maria.
Barea left Monday afternoon and plans to return Tuesday night, missing the first day of Mavs training camp.
“I was really proud of J.J. and how quickly he got involved and how hard he worked to make all of this happen,” Cuban told ESPN in a text message.
Puerto Rico was absolutely devastated by the recent rampage of hurricanes that rattled the Caribbean. Long time NBA vet and Puerto Rican born Dallas Mavericks J.J. Barea had family still down there, waiting out the storm. Even though Mavericks training camp just started this week, Mavs owner Mark Cuban gave Barea the team jet to fly down to his country and help those in need. I mean this site is all about comedy, but every now and then you have to just tip your cap to the good guys out there especially in a time of need. I cannot imagine what the carnage looks like down there and how many people are without power for who knows how long. The country is in a state of absolute crisis and needs any help they can get. Barea hopped on the team jet with tons of supplies and set off to help his homeland.
“That’s a situation that he’s got to take care of,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “Mark gave him our team plane. They loaded up a bunch of stuff, supplies, etc., to take over to Puerto Rico, and they’re going to turn around and come back. He’s going to take his mom and grandmother back with him, and my understanding is his dad is going to stay over there and slug it out with all of the recovery efforts.”
Now he gets to bring back most of his family while his dad stays behind for now to help others in need. Barea started a fundraiser that has now raised over $125,000. Can you imagine living in a country without fucking power? How does anything in terms of society actually happen without power? We’ll lose power during a thunderstorm and freak out cause we can’t charge our phones for an hour, meanwhile Puerto Rico hasn’t had power for days. Look at this grid with the power in the country. Devastating.
Good on you Mark Cuban and especially good on you J.J. Barea. Not all heroes wear capes.