Change For The Best

Since Jose Juan Barea's insertion into the starting lineup, the Mavericks have won four straight games. (AP Photo/Jeffrey M. Boan)

I guess it's time (for now) to eat my words about J.J. Barea's role on this Mavs team. After a team-high and season high 23-points against the New Orleans Hornets last night, Barea is proving his worth.

But it didn't start just in last night's game, Barea has been consistently good since he joined the starters. When you consider that he has averaged almost 15 points a game and five and a half assists, including the first double-double of his career; Barea has proven to be a legitimate starter on this team. Also, JJB is shooting over 63 percent from the floor and 53 percent from three. So not only is he getting to the basket at will and making high-percentage shots, he is keeping the defense honest with his outside stroke.

J.J. Barea has also provided a spark in the first quarter that Dallas has desperately needed. In the first quarter of these past four games, Barea has averaged nearly 10 points (9.75). This was Josh Howard's forte in the past to get Dallas on the board and going early but it seems that, as he recovers from off-season ankle surgery, Barea is going to be that guy for the Mavericks.

With his strong play as of late, maybe it's time to reexamine his role on the Mavericks.

Is Barea The Future Of This Team At The Point-Guard Position?

I don't think so, not while Rodrigue Beaubois is around, but he is a reliable scorer that also works hard on the defensive end; despite his 5'11 height disadvantage.

Is J.J. A Starter For The Dallas Mavericks For The Foreseeable Future?

For now, yes, but only while J-Ho works his way back into the starting line-up. As soon as he is ready to go full-time, Barea is going back to the bench and will see far-less time on the court as Jason Kidd's back-up. Even though JJB had a team high 23-points by the third-quarter of Monday's game against the Hornets, he was still on the bench for the majority of the second-half in favor of Josh Howard. J.J. Barea is a legitimate back-up point-guard/part-time starter and maybe even a starter for another team, but not likely here for the Mavericks. But hey the little guy deserves a pat on the head and a snack for the job he has done in recent weeks.