"Since last November, ex-New Orleans Hornets forward Peja Stojakovic has endured getting benched, being traded and then waived after having his contract bought out.

In what appeared to be a tumultuous season for the 13-year veteran has now turned into nothing less than remarkable.

He has landed back on his feet with the Dallas Mavericks.

Stojakovic is just three wins from winning his first NBA championship after the Mavericks' 95-93 victory against the Miami Heat, in which they trailed by 15 points with slightly more than six minutes remaining. Game 3 is Sunday night at the American Airlines Center.

Stojakovic had a diminished role before the Hornets traded him in November to the Toronto Raptors to clear his expiring $15.3 million contract off their books."