"Charles Barkley said last week that Dirk Nowitzki's "days of being the man are over" and added that the Mavericks are "too old and too slow" to repeat as NBA champs.

Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd, who turns 39 next month, disagrees with Barkley's opinion. The 17-year veteran was asked about Barkley's comments during a Tuesday radio interview and defended his teammate."