"Dallas Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd is realistic about his basketball future and what might be his final shot at an elusive NBA title to cap his Hall of Fame career.

At age 38, he is the league's fifth oldest player. In his prime, he carried the New Jersey Nets to the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003, losing to the Lakers and Spurs.

Until now, he had never made it back to the conference finals.

There is no guarantee he will play next season if there is a lockout. In fact, has already said he would walk away if there is a lengthy work stoppage.

So the time is now for the old man still known as Kidd. But this basketball "savant," as coach Rick Carlisle calls him, knows first things are first; they must take care of business against Oklahoma City starting Tuesday in the Western Conference Finals.

"Nothing is guaranteed," Kidd said. "I have been lucky to make it to the Finals twice and come up short. I have also been on a lot of first-round exits when we were the favorite.... But that's what you play the game for, to be a champion."

If he does get that coveted ring, Kidd will do it in historic fashion, becoming the oldest starting point guard on a championship team, according to Stats Inc. LLC."