10 Things Mavericks need to do to gain respect in West with the help of Jim Varney

9. Dallas Mavericks need better play from their supporting cast

If nothing else, it was fun to see a rag-tag group go out there and compete on Wednesday. In Ernest Saves Christmas, it’s up to, who else, Ernest to help St. Nick find the next in line to be Santa Claus. Against San Antonio, the Luka-and-Kyrie-less Mavs had to do their best Ernest impression in finding their stars’ replacements. 

By the conclusion of overtime, Dwight Powell, Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, Reggie Bullock, and Christian Wood scored over 20 points, making that game only the third time in NBA history in which five players from the same team had 20-plus points each.

Sure, none of them are necessarily prepared to deliver toys to all the children of the world in a single night, but with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving both back at practice on Thursday afternoon, I think it is okay to let the supporting cast have their cookies.

8. Dallas Mavericks need a consistent spark

The most ridiculous of Ernest's plot points is his imperviousness to electricity. In Ernest Goes to Jail, Mr. Worrell escapes his own execution by absorbing the currents of the electric chair which he then shoots from his fingers to incapacitate the guards and blast his way out. The Mavs need someone with that kind of spark. 

A tough ask, I know (mostly because it’s physically impossible), but is it too much to ask that Christian Wood become that spark guy? His defensive ills aside, Dallas is 8-1 when Wood has a plus-minus in double digits. An engaged and consistently productive Wood is what the Mavs might need to spring them from their prison of mediocrity.