"Mark Followill, the television play-by-play voice of the Dallas Mavericks, answered readers questions in a chat Friday on SportsDayDFW.com. He will be heard on TXA 21 at 4 p.m. Saturday when the Mavericks and Trail Blazers play in Game 4 of their NBA playoff series. Some excerpts:

Do you think that Jason Kidd's success is as far as the Mavericks go?

I wouldn't call it an automatic win but it's definitely a huge factor. I don't think he even has to score 20 a night, just run the offense, get them some good shots, play quality defense and knock down some open 3s. He's arguably the 2nd most important player on the team.

What have been your impressions of LaMarcus Aldridge?

Fantastic player, and he has really improved his post game this year. He needs some help like any great player but I could certainly one day seem him as the centerpiece of a title contender.

Do you think that was encouraging last night to see the Mavericks respond to a dreadful start?

Yes, very encouraging. I don't know that there is a carry over effect. Each game is sort of its own individual entity. It's a team full of vets though who have all played in hostile environments and a lot of them pointed that very thing out yesterday at practice. They were expecting an onslaught from Portland at the beginning and knew they would have to weather an early storm.

I dont get what Carlisle is trying to prove with this combo of Barea and Kidd.

He isn't trying to "prove" anything. He wants another facilitator/playmaker out there. Plus Barea gives them someone who can break down a defense off the dribble. He didn't have his best game last night of course so it didn't work out, not much more to say. We'll see how he is used in Game 4."