Mavs head into all-star break looking good

I'm glad I had the night off from work tonight so I could watch the Mavericks on TNT. Dallas held off Phoenix, 112-106, on the road to take a victory and a 40-16 record into the All-Star Break.

Typically, this space is reserved for Rangers observations, but I like to reflect on the Mavs a bit when I can.

Here's a few things I like about Dallas heading into the break:

• Tyson Chandler. Love this guy. In a 2010 offseason that will surely be remembered for LeBron's decision and a bevy of other free agents, the Mavs made an under-the-radar move to acquire Chandler. All they gave up to Charlotte were Erick Dampier, Eduardo Najera and Matt Carroll. This has to be one of the best trades in Mavericks history. Chandler is still only 28 years old. He's averaging 10.5 points and 9.4 rebounds and provides stellar defense. He's already one of the best Mavericks centers ever (granted, that's not saying much). But he's been one of the main reasons Dallas has the second-best record in the West (to San Antonio's surprising 46-10).

• The depth. Most impressively, it's all without Caron Butler, who will miss the remainder of the regular season after requiring right knee surgery. Butler and Chandler play fantastic defense. But the Mavs are still incredibly deep, particularly with the return of guard Rodrigue Beaubois. After the break, here's my starting five, along with key bench players:

1: Jason Kidd
2. Roddy Beaubois
3. Peja Stojakovic
4. Dirk Nowitzki
5. Tyson Chandler

Key reserves: Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, J.J. Barea, DeShawn Stevenson, Brendan Haywood.

Stojakovic was signed after Toronto released him in January. Very low risk there.

And Terry and Marion are like starters. Both played more than 32 minutes on Thursday night against Phoenix. Mavs coach Rick Carlisle has a very nice rotation going right now.

Imagine if Butler was in the picture, starting in place of Peja. That'd be one of the better starting fives in the NBA. Butler has said he could return in the postseason. Not sure how I feel about that. Naturally, you want to welcome it, but you hope it doesn't mess up chemistry and rhythm, particularly so late in the season.

• Roddy B. Beaubois, only 22 years old, has given the Mavs a much-needed boost of youth for the two games he played before the All-Star break. He missed the first 54 games of the season with a foot injury. His return gives the over-30 guys (and there are a lot of them) a bit more of a rest.

The Mavs have made the playoffs for the last 10 years. That's a heck of a run. They've lost in the first round, however, three of the previous four years.

The balance of power in the NBA has totally shifted from the West to the East. Boston, Miami, Chicago and Orlando are all championship contenders. The Lakers (38-19, lost last three) don't look as dominant as in years past. So it's really just L.A. and San Antonio on that first tier, and then Oklahoma City, Portland and Denver.

The West is up for grabs this season. Hopefully, the Mavs make a run for it, culminated with a deep run in the playoffs.

With the Rangers World Series run in October/November 2010, that'd be an incredible sports year for the Metroplex.