"In the first two rounds of the playoffs, Jason Kidd had to chase slower point guards named Andre Miller of the Portland Trail Blazers and Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers.

That won't be the case for the Dallas Mavericks' playmaker in the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC point guard Russell Westbrook is one of the fastest players in the league from baseline-to-baseline.

And that will more than keep Kidd, no spring chicken at age 38, on his toes.

"He puts a lot of pressure on the defense when he gets the rebound or he gets the outlet passes," Kidd said of Westbrook, 22. "He puts a lot of pressure no matter if it's one, two or three guys back on defense.

"He has the ability to get in the paint and make things happen. He's right there with [Chicago's Derrick] Rose in being able to get from one end to the other in two or three seconds.''

Kidd admits trying to contain Westbrook has its challenges. But he's more than up for that challenge, starting with trying to get him out of rhythm.

"He's starting to be very comfortable in shooting the jump shot," Kidd said. "At this point you've got to again, make it tough, and tip your hat when he does make jump shots."