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Juicy pearls of wisdom about the Mavericks, we have.

OK, now that I've gotten over my brief case of Yoda-speak, I can give you a couple of insights during this weird four-day break in the Mavericks' schedule.

First, the break actually might be excellent for the Mavericks. Usually, when you play three games on the West Coast, come home for one game, then head the other direction to Washington and Charlotte, the game at home is like a road game because you're really just stopping by the house to pick up a different set of clothes, play a game, then leave again.

This time, the Mavericks actually get to hang out for a few days. Usually, there would be two games at home in a stretch like this. But the scheduling quirk should help them.

Second, aches and pains are getting a nice chance to heal. This is the time of year when a lot of players are hurt, even if they're playing. They took two full days with only light workouts, hopefully giving everybody a chance to heal up a bruise or two.

It may not seem like an important break, but if you saw the season-high in ice packs being dished out in the postgame locker room Monday at Sacramento, you'd know this is invaluable recuperative time.

Q: Curious thought I had. What would happen if Shaquille O'Neal were traded, got hurt, retired or for whatever reason was unable to play in the replay of the Miami-Atlanta game that recently was protested? For example, if he gets traded, does he leave his new team for a day and go back to play that last minute for the Heat? I know it's hypothetical, but I didn't know if there was a precedent for such things.

Brad W., Dallas.

SEFKO: A really good question, which means it's a good week I'm answering it this week because unlike D-Moore, I have a really good answer.

I checked with an NBA official, and he said the rule is whatever team you have at the time of the replayed portion of the game, that's your team. It doesn't matter who gets traded or injured or if somebody retires.

This actually happened in 1979. A game between Philadelphia and New Jersey was protested and, before the replayed part of the game could happen, the two teams pulled off a trade.

Harvey Catchings went from Philadelphia, then was traded to the Nets for Eric Money and Ralph Simpson.

All three players were in the box score for both teams. Money scored 23 points for New Jersey and four for the 76ers.

In the Heat-Hawks case, the inactive players for that game will again be inactive for the finish of the game, but players who are traded or otherwise acquired will likely be allowed to play, assuming they aren't acquired to replace one of the inactives.

Q: Whatever happened to Pops Mensah-Bonsu? I thought he was a pretty good, athletic big man.

SEFKO: The former Maverick is prospering with Benetton Treviso in the Italian A League. His athleticism has translated well and he's averaging about 16 points and nine rebounds in 19 games for Benetton.

Q: How are players paid? I mean, I know how they're paid. Very well, of course. But I mean how are they actually paid? Do they get a regular weekly check like the rest of us? Do they take taxes out and stuff? What about insurance?

Brian, Dallas.

SEFKO: When players sign a contract, they can work with a team to have their paycheck direct-deposited however they choose. Most take it on the first and 15th of each month, just like regular folks.

Just because there's an extra zero or three, that doesn't mean it's any different. The team takes out exorbitant insurance policies on their players. If they miss 40 games in a row or more, the team is eligible to have insurance cover 80 percent of their salary.

And, of course, medical coverage is paramount as every team has top-flight orthopedic doctors and other specialists on staff.

When it comes to deductions, they have to pay taxes, just like we do – except with an extra zero or three on their deductions.

By the way, I assume your follow-up question would be about expenses on the road. Players get $108 per diem when they are on the road. For most, it's like a little bonus because the team almost always feeds them on the plane flight to wherever they are going and often springs for breakfasts or post-game meals.

In the Development League, by the way, the number is a lot lower: $20 per day. But if you're an NBA player assigned to the D-League, you still get the $108. J.J. Barea said he would usually buy dinner for a couple of teammates when he spent time at Fort Worth last season.

Q: Do you think there's any chance the Mavericks could and would land Samuel Dalembert from the Sixers? The new president in Philly already is making moves and has made it known that he wants to free up as much cap space as possible for next season. Dalembert has four years left at $10 million-plus per season. The Mavericks could send an expiring contract (Keith Van Horn) who could be signed to the mid-level exception, and we could throw in Gana Diop and Moe Ager to make the money work. Do the Mavs have the guts to pull this off?

Bryan K.

SEFKO: First, the Mavericks don't have their mid-level. It was spent last summer on Eddie Jones and Brandon Bass.

But since Van Horn is their free agent, they could sign him to just about any reasonable number. But tell me again why the Sixers would take a retired player and two largely non-rotation players, even if it does give them salary cap relief.

If you've watched Dalembert's numbers lately, they've been huge. He's a building block for them, not a salary cap albatross like some other centers.

I'm a huge fan of Dalembert's. I've got him on one of my fantasy teams, and he's been great. But as hard as centers are to find, I can't see them letting him go for, essentially, nothing but cap space.

And, of course, it would cost the Mavericks twice as much because of the luxury tax. And they already have about $40 million committed to Erick Dampier for the rest of his deal.

I mean, it's like us. We'd like to acquire a really good NBA writer, but dallasnews.com already has hundreds of dollars committed to D-Moore, who is sort of like our Dampier.

Q: I'm proud of what the Mavericks have accomplished the last two years. Am I in the minority? I wanted to see them win it all, but over the last few seasons, they are one of the few teams with a legitimate chance to win it all each year. Is this a case of not appreciating what we have?

Derland B.

SEFKO: You are in the minority, but I think if fans are honest with themselves, a lot of them would feel the way you do. Better to be entertained by a 60-win team and get some playoff kicks, even if it ends in disappointment, than watching the Hawks or Bucks for seasons on end.

As you mentioned in part of your question that was edited out, only one team can win big each year. To have a chance every season is all a team can hope for. At some point, the stars might align properly.

And if they don't, well, I have faith in Donnie Nelson, Mark Cuban and Avery Johnson to keep firing as long as they feel this window is open.

Q: Is it time to start Jason Terry in front of Devin Harris? Harris makes too many turnovers, especially in the fourth quarter, and makes erratic drives to the basket.

C.T., Sugar Land.

SEFKO: Good to hear from the greater Houston area, but I can't agree with your theory. And by the way, we got several inquiries this week about this. It must be bash-Devin Harris week.

But Harris has had a pretty solid first season as the full-time point guard. He's had some inconsistency, but he's also shown that he can run the team quite well at times. He just needs to develop consistency.

I'm not sure he'll ever be Tony Parker. But he's certainly on a level with players like Jason Williams, who started for Miami the season they won the title.

What you have to remember is that Harris is still young. He turns 25 next month. If he continues to grow, and if Avery Johnson loosens up the reins just a little bit, Harris could be a vital member of a title team.

Q: OK, this does not relate directly to the Mavericks, but it does if they end up meeting Boston in the Finals. Regarding the Celtics, how were they able to add so many elite players to their team in one season with the salary cap and without destroying their team? Did they mortgage their future badly? And why weren't the Mavericks in the mix on these transactions?

Tim R.

SEFKO: First, they were fortunate to have two teams that were selling off their souls and their best players to the highest bidder, which really wasn't very high because everybody knew it was a fire sale.

First, they used their No. 5 overall draft pick, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West as bait to get Ray Allen and the 35th overall pick from Seattle, which had already come to the realization that there was no way they were going to be able to keep free agent Rashard Lewis, so they knew it was time to rebuild.

That gave Seattle Jeff Green. The Celtics used the 35th pick for Glen Davis, which has become a rather savvy pick.

Then came the Kevin Garnett deal. The Celtics didn't want to lose Paul Pierce, but they had one other valid asset in Al Jefferson. He and other pieces were packaged for Garnett.

Voila! You get a potentially dominating team, albeit one that is terribly thin and getting older by the minute. If the Celtics don't cash in on this bonanza with a title this year or next, it will have all been for naught, especially when Green turns out to be a nice player in Seattle and Jefferson is an All-Star for eight or 10 years in a row.

In both cases, the Mavericks were interested, but they were more interested in making sure neither Garnett, Lewis or Allen ended up with a Western Conference rival.

Mission accomplished.

Q: It seems like Brandon Bass' numbers have slipped lately. Can you give an analysis of whether you think he will improve or decline as the season continues?

SEFKO: Bass is one of the free-agent finds of the off-season in the entire league. Anybody can peg Rashard Lewis, fork over $100 million and get a 20-point, eight-rebound guy.

But targeting a guy who hardly played in his first two seasons and now is a productive rotation player – all for a bargain-basement price – that takes smarts and a keen eye for talent.

That said, Bass has plenty to learn. The Mavericks are taking their time with him, and I expect that there will be stretches where Bass struggles in the second half of the season. That's why Juwan Howard is here.

But the future is so bright for this kid that it's hard to knock him. Just let him play through the mistakes and help him learn from them.