While the Mavericks' playoff MVP for these playoffs is without a question Dirk Nowitzki, their second best player is a lot more hazy. They've got contributions from every rotation members, and even some from a player who isn't (Corey Brewer). Seemingly on a game-to-game basis, there is someone different stepping up big to accentuate Dirk's heavy lifting, disproving the meme that teams must have a true second option to go deep into the playoffs. So far, the second option is a constantly shifting role, while keeping the same effectiveness that it would have if Caron Butler or Rodrigue Beaubois were playing and scoring 18 points a night, as we all thought and hoped.

Taking it series by series, there was Jason Kidd in the Portland series. He struggled to close the regular season, seemed mentally and physically done, but turned the clock back to come up with two huge games to set the tone for the series, hitting threes at seemingly the same rate he was missing them prior to the playoffs.

When the Mavericks hit their next challenge, no one expected them to win. Jason Terry, who as we all probably know by now is a proud owner of a Larry O'Brian trophy tattoo, made sure that the Mavericks weren't going to waste this opportunity now, with their chances dwindling by the season. He lit up the Lakers in the final two games, including hitting a playoff record nine threes in Game 4.

Now it was Oklahoma City's turn to try their luck. Shawn Marion's stellar all-around defense and twenty-six point Game 5 ushered them out the door. The young talent of the Thunder? They were talented, alright, but their facial stubble and acne could not compete with the consuming baldness of the Dallas vets.

So as the Mavericks head to the NBA Finals, who will have to step up this time around? The Mavericks center around Dirk Nowitzki, but he will need help somehow, somewhere. Here's three players who need to prove their value in the spotlight by performing well like everyone knows they can.

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Three games played, three games won.

Incredible game.

I don't know how I will be able to write a recap, because I'm not sure there are words to describe what I'm feeling right now.

insurmountable

Great win. In Portland is tough for anyone, even the NBA's best road team.

-Dallas wins in 6. Not many "experts" saw this coming.

-Lakers up next, as they beat New Orleans to advance.

-Dirk with a huge 33 and 11 double double, and finally had stretches of him just taking over.

-Was anyone scared after the early first quarter deficit? I'll admit, I pondered the state of Mavdom if Game 6 was a total blowout. I was never that scared, though.

-Other than that...celebrate! Mavericks are out of the first round, only the second time in five years.

Lots of factors at play here, on the road with a hostile crowd.

-Terry stepped up as the #2 scorer, with 29.

-Dirk ended with an excellent stat line, as usual. It did seem like he left some opportunities on the table, though.

-Marion got a few nice baskets, but still has not score double figures yet.

-Chandler fouled out early in the 4th and played only 15 minutes.

-Roy had another resurgent game, scoring 16. It was to be expected that he'd play like that at some point in the series.

Recap will be up shortly, but while we're all sitting around waiting...

-Dirk. Struggled with his shot at times, but he was just too overwhelming. Superstar is too limiting of a term for what this man does.

-Second scorers stepped up for Dirk, though, this time in the form of old vets. Kidd scored 18 while continuing to rain from deep, and Peja feasted on good looks for 21 points.

-No turnovers in the 2nd half.

-The Mavericks looked every bit the veteran team they are. Down the stretch, they just outworked, outschemed, and outplayed the Blazers.

-Up two games to none, beaches. First time since 2006 Finals.

There seems to be a general consensus on the threads that the regular season is no longer worth watching. Dallas started out their six-game road trip with a lot of energy and finished it dragging their feet. Whether it's due to fatigue or a lack of motivation, I'll leave up to you to decide. 

Against Portland, there were some high moments, and many more low ones.

• Rodrigue Beaubois managed to score 18 points in 24 minutes of playing. He only had two turnovers tonight, and dished out four assists. 
• Shawn Marion was the high scorer for the Mavericks again with 19 points and five rebounds. He's been consistent over the past several games, and providing Mavericks fans with a bit of stability that we so desperately need.
• Jose Juan Barea came in and provided his usual spark off the bench with 12 points, but unfortunately he fouled on with a few minutes left in the game. It was just as well, the Mavericks didn't look to be coming back for a win.
• Brendan Haywood started in place of Tyson Chandler (lower back stiffness) and only scored five points, but he pulled in 11 rebounds.
• Dirk Nowitzki scored just 16 points, shooting 5-12 from the field. He's had a slow game or two, but can you really blame the guy? He essentially carried the team through their first three wins.
• Jason Terry was a non-factor, shooting just 1-6 in 25 minutes off the bench. That combined with his not-so-great defensive skills left a bitter taste in fans' mouths.

My eyes are bleeding.

- 5-25 from deep pretty much sums up the game. At least 15 of those were wide open. The Maverick jump shooters, Dirk included, could not hit anything.

- Good games from Barea and Marion, and both did it by penetrating, getting close shots, and playing with tons of energy. Barea had some very nice passes.

- Roddy doesn't start the 2nd half, only plays 9 minutes overall, and still is ineffective.

- Kidd appeared injured on the very last play of the game, though it is probably (and hopefully) nothing.

You read the headline right. Jose Barea scored 22 points in 21 minutes in the Mavericks' win over the Clippers.

Jason Terry had an awful shooting night but hit a pair of free throws to cushion the lead as LA fought back in the final moments.

Dirk Nowitzki finished with 24 points and six rebounds, but he also ended his free throw streak at 74, missing two from the line tonight.

Jason Kidd was a throwback version of himself, drawing charges, hitting shots, and throwing himself all over the court. He finished with 5 points and a stellar 10 assists.

After a few games full of terrible turnovers, the Mavericks managed to limit themselves to just 11 tonight. They also had 11 steals. And JJ Barea's number is 11. Coincidence? Most likely.

Tyson Chandler and Brendan Haywood hit a combined total of no free throws. Seriously. They were 0-7 from the line.