Blast from the past...Messier Rigaudeau

Watching from the catwalk in Euro jeans and a shirt maybe a size too small was the one-time answer at small forward. Antoine Rigaudeau, the Frenchman imported during the 2002-03 season, is in town as a guest of president of b-ball ops Donnie Nelson.

After practice, Rigaudeau and DJ Mbenga had an animated discussion. Mbenga speaks French. Rigaudeau also chatted with Avery Johnson, who was a teammate in ’02-03.

You may or may not remember Rigaudeau. He signed in January and was introduced during a surreal press conference at Don Pablo’s. He was supposed to be the prototypical point forward in Nellie’s system.

Dirk Nowitzki, the one remaining Maverick from that team, did remember Rigaudeau’s glory days in Europe. It was obvious, though, that his better days had passed him by when he reached Big D.

Rigaudeau would see action in only 17 games and played a grand total of 91 minutes. His NBA career consisted of eight baskets and six assists. It wasn’t a surprise when he was left off the playoff roster.