Coach Rick Carlisle called Lamar Odom’s performance in Monday win over the Thunder the forward’s “best yet” as a Maverick.

Of course, Odom improving over his first five games this season is kind of like hurdling Terence Newman in the open field. Not that tough to do.

Nevertheless, it was encouraging for the Mavs to see progress from Odom, who is trying to earn minutes while he works his way into shape. We saw flashes of Odom’s potential as a point forward during his eight-point, five-rebound, two-assist performance, which allows Jason Terry to be paired with a shooting guard like Vince Carter in the second unit’s backcourt.

Odom’s shooting percentage (.195) is still below the Mendoza Line, but there’s at least proof of progress. The best better be yet to come.

Carter and Delonte West have already comfortably settled into niche roles for the Mavs.

West starts next to Jason Kidd in the backcourt, giving the Mavs a penetrator who can take the tougher backcourt defensive assignment at the beginning of games. He’s a 20-minute per night energy player with some scoring ability.

Carter has become a Jerry Stackhouse-like aggressive volume scorer off the bench for the Mavs. His shooting percentage (.349) isn’t pretty, but he’s taking good shots. It’s telling that the Mavs have outscored the opponent with Carter on the floor in the last four games.

The Mavs like the versatility Carter gives the second unit’s offense. They’ll often run sets designed for him to post up, which paid off with nine free throws during his 14-point performance in a 24-minute stint in Monday’s win.

Carter and West are earning their paychecks as contributors, something we might be able to say about Odom soon.