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NBA: 5 Role Players Exceeding Expectations

By Colby Giacubeno

Nov 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) guards Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton (5) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Trail Blazers 108-104. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) guards Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton (5) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Trail Blazers 108-104. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 31, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler (4) guards Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler (4) guards Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Zaza Pachulia, Dallas Mavericks

Once the DeAndre Jordan saga in free agency concluded and he decided to re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, it forced the Mavericks to look around desperately for a dependable big man to play alongside Dirk Nowitzki.

The act of desperation turned out to be sending a second-round draft pick in exchange for Zaza Pachulia, and if the Milwaukee Bucks had any idea Pachulia could have the season that he is this season, there’s no way they would do that trade.

Pachulia is averaging a near double-double with 9.8 points and a career-high 10.6 rebounds (currently seventh in the NBA). The 12-year veteran has also recorded 24 double-doubles on the season, a number that ranks 12th among NBA centers.

Perhaps the most mind-blowing takeaway from Pachulia’s season so far has to be when he was almost elected into the NBA All-Star Game. Sure, he’s putting up impressive numbers, but not the ones to deem him All-Star worthy. Pachulia finished a little more than 14,000 votes behind the Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard.

More hoops habit: NBA Power Rankings: Week 19

The Mavericks are attempting to hold onto sixth place in the West, with possibilities of moving up to fifth if Memphis slips up. The Mavericks were another team that was in question sort of like Portland in that there weren’t many stars to lead their team to a playoff run.

With a mix of brilliance from head coach Rick Carlisle and the usual Nowitzki magic, it looks like NBA fans will have another go-around with Dallas being in the postseason.