Eddie Sefko

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LOS ANGELES – Kris Humphries made a sweet move against the LA Clippers on Saturday night, giving a head fake and going around Craig Smith, who had no choice but to grab the Mavericks forward's arm as he raced by.

If it wasn't clear at that point how important Humphries is going to be for the Mavericks this season, it certainly was on his massive two-handed slam moments later.

Humphries is vital, just like J.J. Barea, Jason Terry, Drew Gooden and the other members of the MOB – Mavs Off the Bench.

The Mavericks had 10 players who played at least eight minutes Friday against the Lakers. In the first half alone against the Clippers on Saturday, there were nine players asked to play meaningful minutes.

Through the first week of the season, the Mavericks seem determined to use their considerable depth.

"We'll go deep some nights," coach Rick Carlisle said. "Some nights we won't. But we got good players, and I won't hesitate to use them."

The obvious benefit from getting quality play off the bench is that it's that many fewer minutes that Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd have to put in. For instance, Marion played less than 34 minutes Friday and the Mavericks were a massive plus-37 on the scoreboard when he was on the floor.

That's proof that strength in numbers is an absolute must for these Mavericks.