Say this much about the Mavericks' season, which, perhaps mercifully, is one-fifth complete: It's been an adventure.
Or more accurately, as reflected by their 3-15 record, it's been a continuous misadventure.
How can a team hope to establish continuity when it has had players miss a combined 52 games because of injury, illness and rest, resulting in 12 different starting lineups?
How can the Mavericks form any semblance of an identity when the face of the franchise has missed 13 games and every game and practice is like a masquerade party's midnight unveiling?
"I think we've learned early on this season that we just have to be ready to go no matter who is on the floor," forward Harrison Barnes said.