32-year old forward Shawn Marion has really adjusted well to his new role coming off the bench.  Marion has played in 17 games (3 starts) for the Mavericks so far this year and he is averaging 26.0 minutes, 10.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game.  Marion has shot 51.9% from the floor this year as he has been really outstanding offensively this year for the Mavericks.  The Mavericks hope he keeps up the good work.

The Mavericks traded for 28-year old Tyson Chandler over the summer hoping that he would give them a presence both on the glass and on defense.  He has played in 16 games (all starts) for the Mavericks so far this year and he is averaging 27.9 minutes, 9.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 1.6 blocked shots  per game.  He is shooting 69.7% from the floor and 79.7% from the free throw line as he has been very efficient for the Mavericks so far this year.  The Mavericks have to be pleased with the play of Tyson Chandler so far this year.

32-year old power forward Dirk Nowitzki is still the best player on the Mavericks, without a doubt. He has played in 10 games (all starts) for the Mavericks so far this year and he is averaging 36.1 minutes, 23.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He is shooting an amazing 54.3% from the floor this year but he’s only 2 of 11 (18.2%) from three point range. Jason Kidd & Jason Terry have been shooting most of the three pointers for the Mavericks so far this year. At some point though I see the Big German starting to take three point shots again this year.

33-year old Jason Terry has moved into the starting lineup at shooting guard this year for the Mavericks and he’s playing well. Terry has started 3 games for the Mavericks so far this year and he is averaging 34.7 minutes, 16.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Terry is also shooting a scorching 52.4% from the floor so far this year. I think Terry helps the Mavericks more in the starting lineup than coming off of the bench because Jason Kidd is capable of guarding the shooting guard on the opposing team with Terry covering the point guard.

32-year old PG/SG Jason Terry just keeps playing well for the Mavericks. Terry played in 77 games (12 starts) for the Mavericks last year and he averaged 33.0 minutes, 16.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He has now played in 474 games (283 starts) in his six years with the Mavericks and he is averaging 33.0 minutes, 16.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Terry has now moved up to #9 all-time in games played (474) in Mavericks’ history. He is also #2 in three pointers made (875), #9 in assists (1,964), #7 in steals (569) and #6 in points scored (7,710). Terry is showing no signs of slowing down so look for him to continue to move up in the Mavericks’ record book.

25-year old PG/SG Jose Juan Barea can be a free agent if the Mavericks don’t pick up their team option on him for the 2010-11 season. I think they should keep him around as he is a improving player. He played in 82 games (75 starts) for the Mavericks last season and he averaged 19.8 minutes, 7.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Barea has now played in 234 games (43 starts) in his time with the Mavs in which he has averaged 16.2 minutes, 6.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.

Jason Kidd might be slowing down a tad but he is still a darn good point guard. Kidd has played in 76 games (all starts) for the Pistons this season and he is averaging 36.2 minutes, 10.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He is also shooting 42.7% from three point this range as he has proven that he can still shoot. Look for him to pick up his game another notch when the playoffs begin.

Caron Butler is giving the Mavericks the offensive boost they needed. He has played in 18 games (all starts) with the Mavericks this season and he is averaging 35.1 minutes, 16.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Butler is a team player who is also a solid defensive player making the Mavericks a happy bunch. Look out for the Mavericks in the playoffs this season as Butler gives them another go-to player when he’s hot.

The Dallas Mavericks are playing some great basketball lately and have now won 12 straight games.  Their winning streak has given them the second best record in the Western Conference and they are now only 2.5 games behind the Los Angeles Lakers.  There isn’t one guy who you can attribute the Mavericks’ recent success to, as all five starters have been playing some solid basketball.  Dirk Nowitzki, of course, is their leader averaging 28.3 points during the winning streak.  It is the role players who have really been stepping it up and they are the difference makers for the Mavs lately.  Guys like Caron Butler and Shawn Marion have really been playing well.  Butler averages 16.8 points per game on the season, but in the past six games he is averaging 18.2 points.  Marion is averaging only 11.5 points per game this season, but in his past four games he is averaging 18.5 points.  Then there is Jason Kidd who has been having some monster assist games, dropping 10 dimes per game during the current winning streak.  The rookie Rodrigue Beaubois has been playing great recently, averaging 16.3 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.0 rebounds in the four games he has played this month.  If the Mavericks continue their stellar play in the playoffs, they just might be the surprise of the year and make a run at the NBA Title.

32-year old shooting guard Jason Terry is one player the Mavericks can count on. He played in 59 games (12 starts) for the Mavericks this season and he is averaging 33.9 minutes, 16.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Terry does whatever the Mavericks need him to as he has gotten some starts lately. He is solid as a starter but he is a really lethal weapon off the bench giving the Mavs instant offense. He will be a huge key in the playoffs for the Mavericks who have there sites on knocking out the Lakers and Nuggets.