Mini Cooper Stuff

The Mavericks' Mini Cooper

The smallest player in the NBA Finals had endured a tough series heading into the second half of Tuesday’s Game 4 at American Airlines Center. But during a 3 ½-minute stretch of the third quarter, José Juan Barea of the Dallas Mavericks reminded the basketball world why he had a seat at this very exclusive table, despite his height. He knocked down a 14-foot jumper, launched himself at the rim for a reverse layup, shoveled a no-look pass to Shawn Marion for a dunk and missed two shots—both of which led directly to put-back buckets by teammates.

“You have to love the little guy,” Mavs forward Dirk Nowitzki said. “Fearless.”

Barea, a 26-year-old guard who goes by J.J., is playing a supporting role in the Mavs’ series against the Miami Heat, which is tied 2-2 heading into Thursday’s Game 5. Yet he operates on a Nowitzkian plane of confidence. How else to explain the manner in which he hurls himself into the lane?

Does he not remember he was undrafted out of Northeastern? (He signed with the Mavs as a free agent in 2006.) Does he not know his humble place in the NBA’s star system? (He’s dating a former Miss Universe .) Does he not realize his listed height of 6-feet is a running joke in the league? (“Maybe in stilettos,” reserve forward Brian Cardinal said.)

Barea, who teammates say is closer to 5-9 or 5-10, has become the standard bearer for short players everywhere in this series, and he relishes acting the playmaker and a pest. During Game 2 last week, he dove on Miami’s Mike Miller WWF-style in pursuit of a loose ball. Miller swung his arm and was whistled for a technical foul. “If I had to guard somebody smaller and quicker than me, I’d hate that, too,” Barea said. “So I don’t think they like it.”

Cardinal said players around the league appreciate Barea as someone who has maximized his abilities. Opponents might not like him, but they respect him. “Here’s someone who’s definitely adapted his game and his style to compensate for his limitations, so to speak,” Cardinal said. “He’s got all the little trick shots, floaters, high bankers—all that stuff. And for us to be successful, we need for him to play well.”

During the regular season, Barea averaged 9.5 points and 3.9 assists in just 20.6 minutes per game, playing the role of the instant offense sub. He was at his best in the Western Conference finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that constantly found itself choking on his exhaust as he maneuvered his way past defenders like a Mini Cooper dodging traffic cones. Barea averaged 11.4 points in 17 minutes per game as the Mavs cruised through the series.

2012 Mini Cooper Coupe | Uncrate

Mini is a brand that typically sticks with tradition, so the 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe ($TBA) comes as quite a surprise. The newest Mini is the company's first two seater, available in base, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works models, the latter of which also takes the crown for as the fastest-accelerating Mini ever thanks to a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with twin-scroll turbocharger pumping out 208hp, good for a 0-60 time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 149mph. Other features include an active rear spoiler that raises at 50mph — another Mini first — Electric Power Steering, standard DSC stability control, and either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox.

Popular Mechanics

The Hummer and the Mini, navigating the contradictions of the new trend landscape

Hollywood Stuff, A Jane Wheel Mystery

How to make brilliant stuff that people love..., and make big money out of it

Where The Action Was