For every Pacman Jones and Roy Tarpley, there's a Tashard Choice and J.J. Barea.

Dallas loves a "feel good story" as much as anyone, and we've gotten two of them this week. Tashard Choice subbed in for Marion Barber and ripped up Heinz Field on Sunday, shredding the Steelers for the most yards by a running back opponent this season. J.J. Barea has emerged from bench obscurity, to become the newest and yes, shortest, heart-throb at the American Airlines Center. He's scored 21 and 22 points in his last two games and has done it with a mixture of flair and acrobatics around the rim.

In Choice and Barea, we have two emerging stars whom we can root for. Choice didn't exactly come out of nowhere. He had nearly 1400 yards in his final season at Georgia Tech and nearly 1500 the year before. Many scouts thought the Cowboys got a steal in the 4th round. But the rapid rise of Felix Jones, the higher pick, pushed Choice down for awhile. But we've seen what he can do, when given the chance.

As for Barea, he comes as more of a shock. He showed flashes of brilliance last season, but proved to be far too inconsistent. There were days when he simply didn't show up.

But now, he is doing what few Mavericks have done: attack the rim with ferocity and fearlessness. And fans at the AAC have embraced him for it. Dare we say, he has made us forget the loss of Devin Harris for the last week.

Who knows if J.J. can continue to be "dynomite." But I wouldn't bet against him.

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