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A quick-hit look at the Mavs:
If you can’t beat ’em …The Mavericks spent most of this decade locking horns with the Phoenix Suns and Shawn Marion. Both teams won their share of games and playoff series.Now, Marion is with the Mavericks after the trade with Toronto. And there’s no such thing as any lingering rivalry between Marion and the Mavericks. It’s more like respect, plus a great sigh of relief that the Mavericks get to play with Marion and not against him."He’s a guy that our guys have great respect for because they’ve been through the wars with him as an opponent," coach Rick Carlisle said. "When you hear our guys talk about guys that have been difficult to play against, and were difference-makers in the West, Shawn’s one of the guys they talk about."Of all the Mavericks, Jason Terry probably has one of the friendliest rivalries with Marion."Shawn was the ninth pick, I was the 10th pick in that draft [1999]," Terry says. "We fight about that all the time. But he’s fun and I look forward to playing with him every day."Vital to a titleYou hear coaches say it all the time, that every player has a role and unless everyone performs his role and puts the result of the team above his own agenda, it won’t work. That’s what the Mavericks’ coaching staff is trying to emphasize. It’s truly 15 strong — or at least 14 strong when you consider that Shawne Williams probably won’t make the opening-night roster. So here’s why everybody’s important, and we’re taking this in alphabetical order to make sure that there’s no perception that one player is above another.G J.J. Barea: Great with Kidd, but who isn’t? Needs to score on drives and jumpers.G Roddy Beaubois: Has to grow up quickly and become a regular contributor.G Matt Carroll: After lost season, will be counted on to knock down shots this year.C Erick Dampier: Rebound, rebound, rebound. And when possible, rebound some more.C/F Drew Gooden: Must knock down mid-range shots and hit the boards.G Josh Howard: At shooting guard, he’ll have to get back to the slashing, scoring Josh.F Kris Humphries: Backup has to give toughness and get offensive rebounds.G Jason Kidd: The motor for the Mavs mobile, they’ll go nowhere without him starting it all.F Shawn Marion: Has to do a little of everything, but can’t do it if he doesn’t stay healthy.F Dirk Nowitzki: Simply has to keep being Dirk — and trust in his new helpers.F James Singleton: Must find a role because he’s too good to linger on the bench.G Quinton Ross: Premier defender must get his nose dirty on that end of the floor.G Jason Terry: His punch off the bench and his leadership is essential.F Tim Thomas: Once he gets healthy, he needs to spread the floor with his 3-point ability.F Shawne Williams: Not expected to be around the team much longer.
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