Offseason Wishlist - Developing Roddy B

Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
Offseason Wishlist - Developing Roddy B

At the heart of the Dallas Mavericks' offseason plans is the organization's desire to refine the skill level and basketball IQ of a young guard from the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe.

Rodrigue Beaubois turned heads during his rookie season, displaying an uncanny ability to fill up the scoring column with highlight reel dunks above the rim and sharpshooting from behind the 3-point arch.

But now the organization would like to see the 22-year-old settle into a role that both Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle and the front office sees Beaubois playing for years to come: Point guard of the future.

"That's certainly in everyone's thought process as a possibility," Carlisle said of making Beaubois a building block for the team's future. "You don't want to anoint somebody as having arrived before they arrive, but he's taken the right steps."

Beaubois, who spent most of his team playing alongside veteran and future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd, will now be asked to relieve his mentor at times while running the team's second unit in year No. 2.

"Probably 80 percent of his minutes this season where at the two (shooting guard) position. And he did terrific, particularly playing with Jason Kidd," Carlisle said of his young pro.

Under Kidd's tutelage, the first-year standout shined. The draft-day acquisition (in a deal with Oklahoma City) and French League product appeared in just 56 games, starting 16 times. Though his season tally reflected averages of just 7.1 points and 1.0 assists, Beaubois' career-high 40 points against Golden State on March 27 may have given a glimpse into the bright days ahead for the budding star.

"I have to work a lot, because if I didn't play more it's because I didn't show enough things," Beaubois said. "I need to get much better at the point guard position."

Now its time for Beaubois to carve his own path, hopefully allowing the team's 37-year-old first-stringer at the lead guard position to get more rest next year.

While starting in all 80 games that he appeared in, Kidd averaged 36.0 minutes a contest. That number jumped to 40.5 minutes of game action during the Mavs' first-round playoff series defeat to the San Antonio Spurs. With Beaubois' 12.5 minutes during the season undoubtedly expected to increase, including more time at the backup point guard spot, Kidd figures to be well-rested throughout the 82-game schedule.

"Going forward, we need (Beaubois) to enhance his knowledge of the point guard position -- his ability to score and do dynamic things -- but to also get the other guys on the floor involved. He's going to be a guy that is going to be an important player for this franchise, at both the point and two guard positions," the coach explained.

To help better equip himself for manning the controls, Beaubois will be spending a lot of time on the court this summer. For a second time, No. 3 will be leading the Mavericks' Summer League squad in July. He has also been selected to play for his native French national team in the FIBA World Championship in Turkey, which runs from Aug. 28-Sept. 12.

"This summer will be very important for me. I really need to work on my game and my body, everything, and just come into Training Camp ready to go," Beaubois said.

For all of your news on the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, visit Mavs.com. Follow Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EarlKSneed.

At the Movies with Shawn Marion

Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
At the Movies with Shawn Marion

Shawn Marion is truly a man of the people.

Though the four-time NBA All-Star's season came to an unexpectedly swift ending due to the Dallas Mavericks' first-round exit in the playoffs, Marion hasn't stopped providing entertainment for his loyal supporters in Big D.

Wednesday, the star sent a message through his Twitter account to his thousands of followers, stating that anyone who could make it out to a North Dallas movie theater the next day would be treated to a free showing. Thursday, Marion followed through on his end of the deal.

The player known as "The Matrix" and his fans took in a matinee showing of "Iron Man 2," seeing a film with all the flair and excitement that Marion displays nightly on the court.

The star also gave each fan in attendance a gift to remember the date, as everyone left with a bobblehead doll in the likeness of No. 0.

Interacting with the Dallas community is one thing Marion is looking forward to doing this offseason, after joining the Mavericks last summer. Allowing the general public to spend some time with an NBA superstar, at his expense, is just one way Marion plans on giving back in his new adopted hometown.

"A lot of people don't get to know me and my personality. You can see on TV, but that's how I really am all the time. When you see me, that's how I really am. That's what you're getting. Everybody is starting to notice that, and that's what's up," Marion said.

Hear more of what the versatile forward and his fans had to say:

For all of your news on the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, visit Mavs.com. Follow Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EarlKSneed.

Mavs Spotlight - Brendan Haywood (Offseason Edition)

Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
Mavs Spotlight - Brendan Haywood (Offseason Edition)

"Mavs Spotlight" is a series of exclusive one-on-one video interviews conducted by Mavs.com's Earl K. Sneed with various Dallas Mavericks players and coaches. The offseason preview series continues with center Brendan Haywood, as he talks about his approaching free agency in July.

Of the current Mavericks, no player's future is as uncertain as Haywood's pending days. The 7-footer will be well sought after this summer, as teams try to enhance both their front lines and chances at contending for a championship.

The former North Carolina standout hasn't given much thought to the summer yet, still heartbroken by the Mavs' first-round playoff loss in six games to the San Antonio Spurs.

"I'll worry about free agency when it gets here. July 1, that seems like a long time. So, I have a long time to sit around and think about this last loss," Haywood said.

But while the 30-year-old big man has a big decision to make in the coming months, Mavs coach Rick Carlisle has made it clear that he wants to see Haywood in a Dallas uniform for a long time to come.

"It's very important to get Haywood re-signed," the coach said. "I really liked what he did for us. He's a guy that had an impact on both ends. At 30 years old, he's relatively young for a center. Centers tend to play for a very long time...Brendan is very athletic. He's got a good feel for the game. He's got a good knowledge of the game."

No. 33 averaged 9.1 points and a career-best 9.3 rebounds while splitting 77 games with the Washington Wizards and the Mavs. But Haywood, who was having a career year even before the Feb. 13 trade that shipped him, Caron Butler and DeShawn Stevenson from Washington to Dallas, hasn't ruled out coming back to the Mavericks. In fact, he would love the opportunity to continue his career in Big D.

"I would love to be back in Dallas. The team's great. The city's great. The fans are great. We had a very good group of guys. Everything around here is done first class. I think any basketball player that experiences what this franchise has to offer would love to come back here," the free-agent-to-be concluded.

Hear more of what the big man in the middle had to say:

In case you missed it, here's what Jason Terry, Caron Butler, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki, Rick Carlisle, Roddy Beaubois and J.J. Barea said, as they head into the offseason.

For all of your news on the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, visit Mavs.com. Follow Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EarlKSneed.