Eddie Sefko

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The Mavericks got Tim Thomas back on Wednesday, and I can't stress how important this could be for them before the season is done.

Thomas was just knocking the rust off after September knee surgery, but at the end of the first half, he made the kind of hustle play – digging a ball out of a scrum, then hitting a jumper that was just a shade after the buzzer – that fans love and coaches are even more fond of.

Thomas' worth will be as a spread-the-floor shooter and a post-up threat. But he's bigger than virtually every other Maverick except Erick Dampier and Dirk Nowitzki. And he's a tough player.

There may be times when he doesn't play a whole lot. But there's going to be other stretches where he is vital.

It was good to see him try to stuff a dunk home, too, in his first game back, even though he came up short.

"I tried to make a move that I haven't made in a long time," he said. "The knee told me that: 'You're better, but you're not all the way where you want to be yet.' But it's mind over matter. I just got to keep fighting through it."

The more he does, the better the Mavericks will be.

Q: Roddy Beaubois seems to be earning much more floor time. He scores. He defends. He jumps like crazy. When other teams have a chance to zero in on him, do you think he'll be able to keep this up?

Ken B., Dallas.

SEFKO: Probably not, quite frankly. You saw the Spurs start to do some different things Wednesday that took away a few things the rookie had been prospering with. That's the way it is in this league. People scout every game. They notice who's doing what and how teams are using their personnel.

Beaubois is going to have some difficult times. It's just life as a rookie. But he's already ahead of the curve. Rick Carlisle is doing the right thing bringing him along slowly. No 30-minute games for Beaubois. Small doses equal big learning opportunity.

But who in their right mind can't be excited about the possibilities for this kid's future?

Q: What happened to the drum line?

Brian S.

SEFKO: My first response is: Who cares?

But since we attempt to answer all questions in this space, we'll just say that somebody at the top of the Mavericks' organization probably decided the drummers weren't adding enough to the total fan experience.

Don't think it was a money thing because I'm not sure they were even getting paid. But to be honest, I never even knew they were missing until I read this e-mail. Guess that proves they are not missed.

Q: Do you think the Mavs will trade Dampier by the trading deadline if they find a deal they like, even if it means not having a true center for the rest of the season?

Tranh T.

SEFKO: A slippery slope, that one. First, the Mavericks must determine what medical problem, if any, beset Dampier in Detroit over the weekend. After that, they'll know what his playing status is.

Assuming it's not a serious matter and Dampier can continue his contract season, it's going to depend on what the Mavericks do from a win-loss perspective. If they keep rolling along like they are so far, why do you make drastic changes?

That said, if a no-brainer falls in their lap, the Mavericks have never been shy about pulling the trigger on deals that make perfect sense for them.

Also, what happens elsewhere around the league could impact the situation. If certain teams that are trying to shed salary (New Orleans, Charlotte) continue to implode, then they could be looking for a quick way to dump a long-term contract and take back one that comes off the books.

It's a question we can't realistically know the answer to until February. But if you want a dart-throw opinion, I'd bet Dampier is a Maverick until their playoff run ends.

Q: Are the Mavericks interested in Emeka Okafor at all? Seems like the Hornets would take Dampier and the salary relief. The guy is still young and is an upgrade over Damp.

Shane, Arlington.

SEFKO: Is he really an upgrade? This is a guy who is owed a ton of money (about $51 million in the next four seasons after this one). If you go get him for Dampier, you better make darn sure he's the piece that puts you over the top because you're stuck with him for a long time and it ruins any other chance to be a player in free agency next summer.

The guy's OK, but I have a confession to make.

I've had him on a fantasy league team before, and he leaves plenty to be desired. He's OK as an undersized center, but he's just that.

I'd pass, personally.

Q: If Josh Howard's injury continues to linger and Beaubois continues to get playing time to develop his game, would you say Josh may be gone come the trade deadline? He has become pretty injury prone, and I don't see him being a guy that averages 18-20 points per game again.

Also, I'm curious if you think Avery Johnson will be considered as coach in New Orleans.

Jeff T.

SEFKO: You're lucky D-Moore isn't involved in our weekly prance around all things Maverick and NBA. He used to have a one-question limit.

But I'm a kinder, gentler kind of guy with better sweaters.

First, I'll say this about Avery Johnson. He's going to have a tough time landing a job with a winning team at a salary he deems acceptable. Most teams aren't handing out $4 million or $5 million to their coaches anymore.

Hey, it's the economy.

And the way it ended in Dallas has gotten around. That doesn't mean he won't get a job. He will. And he'll do a good job. But waiting for the right fit until Mark Cuban's money runs out is a dicey proposition.

As for Josh, not sure there's going to be any way to get anything approaching fair value for him. Yes, his contract is up, but again, unless you're willing to take back a lot of money stretched out over several years, do you really help the franchise?

Like Dampier, I think Howard will be here, unless something goes haywire between now and February.

Q: I'm a big fan of Rick Carlisle, but this Mavericks team is so deep with so many intriguing combinations, I have to wonder what a mad scientist like Don Nelson would be conjuring up with this roster. Care to speculate?

Damon S.

SEFKO: Well, Kris Humphries would be running the point. Shawn Marion would be at center, and Jason Kidd would be spotting up on the perimeter.

OK, that's an exaggeration.

Nellie would have a blast with this team. But that doesn't mean it would work. The only sure thing is that he would have Kidd running everything on the floor. And though people say Nellie often chews up and spits out rookies, remember that he started Devin Harris as a rookie in his first NBA game.

I could see Beaubois playing for Nellie.

Who knows what it would look like, but you can bet it would be fun – at least for a while.

Q: Why does Kris Humphries' playing time vary so wildly? When he didn't play in San Antonio, was it a message from Carlisle?

Marc, Corpus Christi.

SEFKO: Wow, Marc. You're smarter than you look. And I mean that in the most complimentary way because I've never seen you.

Carlisle has his ways of delivering a message, and if you notice the last few games, Humphries has been busting his butt to get back downcourt on defense, a huge pet peeve of Carlisle's.

But if you've noticed, it was just a one-game message. Humphries has to figure very prominently in the Mavericks' plans, especially with the injury situation.

Q: I strongly believe that Kidd has to be a little more aggressive offensively. He's averaging what, six shots a game? I think he needs to take (consistently) at least 10 shots a game. Maybe this would translate to a better field goal percentage, rather than taking 12 shots one game and just one the next. I don't think its asking a lot from him, knowing he's a pass-first PG. Do you agree?

Sam M.

SEFKO: Sort of. I'm not sure Kidd needs to shoot more, he just needs to make those point-blank drives that he gets. He's one of those rare players who is shooting better from 3-point range than from inside the arc.

That's a sign that a player is having a case of the yips around the basket.

If Kidd just relaxes on those drives and actually looks at the basket rather than constantly looking for a teammate to feed, he'll make more of those shots.

At the very least, I see a few more trips to the free throw line in his future.

Considering that Kidd has had more than eight shots in only two games, I wouldn't hold your breath for that to change.