A Cuban They Call Twinkle-Toes

That sudden gush of wind felt across North Texas last night was not an atmospheric belch. It was the entire the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex heaving a collective sigh of relief. You see, we have this adopted son, a billionaire with ADHD, named Mark Cuban. Whenever he opens his yap or sticks his face on national TV, we figure to take a major kick in the groin (aka, the PR department.)

Famous for his verbal brawls with NBA officials both on and off the court, for getting into mudslinging contests with players from other teams, and lawsuits with former coaches, Cuban can be a PR nightmare for any image-conscious community having to lay claim to him. That crazy hair alone is enough to raise eyebrows.

So, here is a guy worth 2.something billion, owner of a sports franchise, making a move to buy another major sports franchise, owner of the HDNet TV network, and producer of movies with nothing better to do than agree to be a contestant on Dancing With The Stars. Believe me when I say we here in Dallas figured this would be the final move to show the world that New York's super-annoying, self-promoting, weird-haired rich guy has finally been "trumped"...by a Dallas chump.

But hold the presses. Aside from that part where he kissed his fingers and smacked his own ass, Mr. Cuban represented himself quite well. Seven weeks removed from hip replacement surgery, he cut a pretty good rug. Talk about shock and awe! Could have knocked me over with a feather. He didn't say anything controversial. He mentioned his daughter and how much she was into daddy dancing with the stars. He didn't even fight with the refs when they only gave him sevens across the board!

So...relax, Dallas. Our reputation, a delicate matter ever since the Kennedy thing, is no worse for wear this morning.

As my wife smartly observed, "Cuban even fixed his hair."