Review: Grading the Dallas Mavericks

Dirk Nowitzki, PF

Nowitzki had never been more efficient during the regular season or more dominant during the postseason. He finished sixth in MVP voting after averaging 23.0 points on a career-high 51.7 percent shooting from the floor. His performances in the clutch during the postseason were legend-caliber. Nowitzki (27.7 ppg in playoffs) averaged 10.3 points during postseason fourth quarters, leading the Mavs to an NBA-record-tying six comebacks in the final frame during their playoff run. He matched the combined fourth-quarter scoring totals (62) of Miami's Dwyane Wade and LeBron James to earn the Finals MVP.

Season

Playoffs

Tyson Chandler, C

The trade for Chandler provided the Mavs a key piece that had been missing from their championship puzzle. He's an athletic, defensive-minded big man who is a perfect complement for Nowitzki, an admitted "slow-twitch muscle guy" who consistently called Chandler the team's MVP. Chandler immediately became the Mavs' emotional leader and defensive backbone. He finished third in the Defensive Player of the Year voting and almost averaged a double-double (10.1 ppg, 9.4 rpg). His presence was a primary reason the Mavs allowed only 92.5 points per game in the playoffs. Re-signing him is the Mavs' top offseason priority.

Season

Playoffs

Jason Kidd, PG

The old man showed signs of age during the regular season, when he set career lows in points (7.9 per game) and shooting percentage (36.1) and averaged fewer assists (8.2) than any season since his rookie campaign. But Kidd, 38, the oldest guard to start in the NBA Finals, had an incredible postseason. Never mind his individual numbers. Kidd was a dominant defender during crunch time, playing a major role in shutting down three All-NBA scorers: Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and LeBron James. His poise and savvy made the miracle Mavs' many comebacks possible.

Season

Playoffs

Shawn Marion, SF

The four-time All-Star made a major sacrifice by accepting a reserve role at the beginning of the season and came off the bench for most of the season. He produced 12.5 points on 52 percent shooting and 6.9 rebounds in 28 minutes, splitting time between the forward positions. Marion had similar production in the postseason and served as the Mavs' primary defensive stopper, particularly against Kevin Durant and LeBron James. The Mavs seized control of the Western Conference finals after Marion responded to his coaches and teammates calling him out for not playing aggressively enough in the first two games.

Season

Playoffs

DeShawn Stevenson, SG

All Stevenson did all season was whatever was asked of him. He bounced back and forth from the fringe of the rotation to the starting lineup during the regular season, when the rugged defender averaged 5.3 points and shot 38 percent from 3-point range in limited minutes. Stevenson started every game in the playoffs until Game 4 of the Finals, when Rick Carlisle opted to replace him with J.J. Barea. He responded by playing extremely well as a reserve, averaging 8.0 points (7-of-14 3-point shooting) and bothering LeBron James defensively in the Mavs' final three victories.

Season

Playoffs

Jason Terry, SG

Terry had a solid regular season, averaging 15.8 points and finishing second to the Lakers' Lamar Odom in the Sixth Man of the Year voting. Terry followed through on his promise to step up his game for the playoffs, averaging 17.5 points on 47.8 percent shooting (44.2 percent from 3-point range). "Jet" was especially spectacular in two of the most memorable closeout games in Mavericks history. He lit up the Lakers for 32 points, tying an NBA playoff record with nine 3s on 10 attempts, in the lopsided sweep finale. With Dirk Nowitzki struggling, Terry took the lead in Game 6 of the Finals, scoring 19 of his game-high 27 points in the first half.

Season

Playoffs

J.J. Barea, PG

Barea struggled to find his shooting touch in the first two months of the season, but he was one of the league's best backup point guards once the calendar flipped to 2011. His ability to penetrate and create opportunities for himself and teammates made him a unique, critical weapon for the Mavs. He also proved to be a pesky defender who ranked among the league leaders in offensive fouls drawn. Barea was inconsistent during the playoffs, but when he was on, he gave foes fits on the pick-and-roll. After making $1.8 million this season, he'll probably get a big raise, whether it's from the Mavs or another team.

Season

Playoffs

Peja Stojakovic, SF

The midseason Peja signing paid off during the West semifinals, when he had an 11-point quarter to key a Game 3 comeback and poured in 21 points on 7-of-7 shooting in the sweep finale. Stojakovic struggled the rest of the playoffs and was benched midway through the Finals because Miami was simply too athletic for the 34-year-old. Retirement is a possibility for the highly respected veteran.

Season

Playoffs

Brendan Haywood, C

Haywood struggled to adapt to a reserve role for most of the regular season, admitting that he lost confidence. But he rebounded during the playoffs. His numbers weren't better, but Haywood made his presence felt until a hip sidelined him for all but three minutes in the last four games of the Finals. One of the Mavs' favorite postseason lineups, which featured four scorers with defensive limitations in Dirk Nowitzki, Peja Stojakovic, Jason Terry and J.J. Barea, wouldn't have worked without Haywood doing a good job protecting the paint.

Season

Playoffs

Ian Mahinmi, C

Mahinmi, 24, is very much a project, an athletic post man with potential who has a lot of learning to do. But he contributed at times, occasionally serving as Tyson Chandler's backup against teams that didn't play a traditional center. With Brendan Haywood hurt, Mahinmi gave the Mavs quality minutes in Game 6 of the Finals, highlighted by hitting a buzzer-beating jumper at the end of the third quarter.

Season

Playoffs

Brian Cardinal, F

If you want a solid pick, hard foul or charge drawn, give Cardinal a call. He also can knock down the open 3-pointer, making 42 of 87 attempts from downtown during the regular season and 2 of 3 in the playoffs. Cardinal is also considered an outstanding teammate, the kind of guy who makes practices intense and helps chemistry. He didn't get many minutes, but Cardinal served a purpose on this team.

Season

Playoffs

Corey Brewer, SG/SF

Brewer's role is expected to be significantly bigger next season. He never cracked the rotation after signing with the Mavericks after the All-Star break, but the slender swingman made an impact in his limited minutes. He provided a major spark in his only extended minutes of the playoffs, playing a major role in a 17-4 run that allowed the Mavs to rally from a 16-point deficit in Game 1 of the West semifinals in Los Angeles.

Season

Playoffs

Caron Butler, SF

A ruptured right patellar tendon suffered on New Year's Day ended Butler's season despite his relentless rehab work in an attempt to return during the playoffs. He was averaging 15.0 points per game and playing outstanding defense for a 24-7 team when he was injured, having established himself as a solid sidekick for Dirk Nowitzki. The Mavs would like to keep Butler, a free agent, but it would likely have to be with a one-year, make-good type of deal.

Season

Playoffs

Rodrigue Beaubois, SG

His sophomore season was a waste. A broken left foot caused him to miss the first 54 games of the season, and he played scared upon his return. Rick Carlisle tried to stick with Beaubois as a starter, but it became painfully obvious that the kid couldn't help the Mavs this season, so he was replaced for the regular-season finale. Beaubois didn't play a second in the playoffs, only partially because of a sprained foot suffered on the final night of the regular season. Rebuilding his game and repairing his confidence will be a challenge.

Season

Playoffs

Dominique Jones, SG

This was essentially a redshirt season for the rookie, who played more minutes in the D-League than the NBA. A broken foot delayed his development, but the Mavs have some hope that he could become a big point guard.

Season

Playoffs