Brandon George

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The Mavericks have seen a rejuvenated Erick Dampier through the team's first six games, and they're a better team for it.

Dampier was active again Saturday night against Toronto on both ends of the court, finishing with five points and six rebounds in only 18 minutes.

Over the last four seasons, Dampier's best scoring average was 7.1 points in 2006-07 and his best rebounding average was 7.8 in 2005-06. Through the Mavericks' first five games, he was averaging 9.6 points and a team-best 10.4 rebounds.

"He doesn't get a lot of credit. He's been unbelievable," guard Jason Terry said. "This year, he's been doing a phenomenal job, and he's going to get everything coming to him that he deserves because he should be an All-Star."

Dampier has a nonguaranteed contract for 2010-11, so this season is essentially a contract year for the 34-year-old center.

That could bode well for the Mavericks. The last time Dampier had a contract year was with Golden State during the 2003-04 season, when he averaged 12.3 points and 12 rebounds. Those career-high numbers landed him a seven-year, $73 million contract with the Mavericks.

Dampier, who hasn't been the player most Mavericks fans wanted him to be, is in his 13th season. His performance over the next few months will largely determine what he earns next season.

So far, so good.