Jason Kidd News: Pro Sports Daily

Kidd's play inspiring for fellow veteran Najera

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March 11

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Eduardo Najera spent a couple seasons with New Jersey and he can sympathize with what the Nets are going through.But he's also one of the few people to play with both Devin Harris and Jason Kidd in the last year. So, how would amateur GM Najera handle the trading of Kidd for Harris, or vice versa."That's a tough decision right there,'' he said. "Obviously, last year, it made sense [with Harris]. Now that I'm J-Kidd's teammate and I've seen his whole game, it's unbelievable. Since he's my teammate now, I'll go with J-Kidd.""

Mavericks' trade for Jason Kidd looks better with age

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March 10

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"If Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson call up NBA stats on their laptops today, they'll probably smile -- but they won't be surprised. They never doubted the decision they made two years ago when they traded for Jason Kidd.They knew they were giving up an outstanding young point guard in Devin Harris, but even though he was 10 years younger than Kidd, no one had him penciled in for the Hall of Fame.There is little doubt that Kidd -- the greatest 6-foot-4 franchise player in the history of the NBA -- will be in the Hall. He ranks second behind only John Stockton in career assists and his feat of directing the lowly Nets to two NBA Finals is the equivalent of someone hitting or pitching the ..."

Mavericks' Kidd doesn't catch many breaks

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March 6

Dallas Morning News

columnist Gerry Fraley

"Guard Jason Kidd returned from a one-game vacation in style Friday night. He had another double-double - 17 points and 12 assists - in the Mavericks' win against Sacramento. There was one more key number. Kidd played 34 minutes. Coach Rick Carlisle held Kidd out of Wednesday's win against Minnesota to get him a needed break. Kidd's playing time does not fit his age. The NBA is a young-man's game. Of the top 100 players in minutes per game entering Friday's play, only eight were more than 30 years old. Kidd, who turns 37 on March 23, ranked 32nd in the category with 36.2 minutes. Only one other player older than 35 ranked among the top 100. Phoenix's Grant Hill, who is six months older ..."

Mavericks survive, but sputter without Kidd's motor

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March 4

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The Mavericks looked a little like that beautiful Ferrari on the showroom floor. You know, the one that's just for show and doesn't even have the engine in it.Jason Kidd is the motor for the Mavericks. No doubts there. And he was given Wednesday night off after playing monster minutes over the last two weeks.An ounce of prevention, coach Rick Carlisle called it.It was almost at the cost of a pound of flesh, or at least a rare loss. Against a more potent opponent, the result may well have been different. Even against the under-talented and short-handed Minnesota, the Mavericks didn't look invincible.J.J. Barea and Roddy Beaubois handled the situation as best they could. And, truth be told, ..."

Resting Kidd nearly backfired but was right call

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March 4

Dallas Morning News

columnist Eddie Sefko

"The Mavericks looked a little like that beautiful Ferrari on the showroom floor. You know, the one that's just for show and doesn't even have the engine in it. Jason Kidd is the motor for the Mavericks. No doubts there. And he was given Wednesday night's game off after playing monster minutes over the last two weeks. An ounce of prevention, coach Rick Carlisle called it. It was almost at the cost of a pound of flesh, or at least a rare loss. Against a more potent opponent, the result may have been different. Even against under-talented and short-handed Minnesota, the Mavericks no longer looked invincible. J.J. Barea and Roddy Beaubois handled the situation as best they could. And, truth ..."

Kidd rests, so does defense, but Mavericks win 9th straight

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March 4

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks' winning streak was put to the ultimate test Wednesday night. It not only had to survive the absence of Jason Kidd but a disappearing act by the defense. The Mavericks got by, partially because they were playing the team with the worst record in the Western Conference, and because they came alive in the final minutes for a 112-109 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at American Airlines Center. Kidd was given a night off because he's simply been playing too long lately. To keep him a bit fresher for the 20-game stretch drive, coach Rick Carlisle ordered Kidd to stay home because he needed a break. "He's healthy," Carlisle said. "And we want to keep him that way." In ..."

Points guard: At 36, Mavericks' Kidd becoming a sure shot

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March 3

Dallas Morning News

"When Jason Kidd saw Mike Woodson out on the court Friday, he started thinking. He wasn't sure what would happen if he ran into the Hawks' coach. He wasn't even sure it would result in a technical. Still, he got there as fast as he could. "I figured it's gotta be something," he said. Correct, as usual. The Mavs are hurtling along on an improbable eight-game winning streak, rising in the Western Conference, led by a point guard who's in some ways better than he ever was. And not just his forearm shiver, either. Straight up: I've always liked the way Kidd plays. Thought so even way back when a Dallas assistant, Butch Beard, told me the Mavs did the right thing trading him to the Suns. Said ..."

Nowitzki on Kidd: 'He's got to be the smartest basketball player I've ever seen.'

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February 28

Dallas Morning News

"Del Harris saw Jason Kidd charge into Atlanta coach Mike Woodson and immediately saw two differences between that play and the one where Denver's Michael Adams plowed into Harris when he was head coach at Milwaukee in 1991. "One, I was trying to get a technical foul," Harris said Saturday. "I wasn't trying to take a charge. There was a fast break that went the other way toward Denver's bench. And we'd been getting the short end [of the calls], and I knew I had to take a tech. I'm out there on the court wanting my technical. "The second difference is I didn't duck it. I stood right in there and took the charge. And Michael not only went for me, he took the flop, too. He flopped big time, ..."

Kidd has literal run-in with Hawks coach

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February 27

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Of all the plays that helped the Mavericks on Friday night, a run-in with Atlanta coach Mike Woodson may have been the biggest.A literal run-in.When Jason Kidd angled his direction ever so slightly with 1:37 to go in regulation, he rammed into Woodson. He basically stole one point because Woodson was on the court and the refs had no choice but to assess him a technical foul."Smartest basketball play I've ever seen in my career," Jason Terry said.Dirk Nowitzki hit the free throw to draw the Mavericks within one point. When the game went into overtime, that extra point obviously was bigger than any other.And when Kidd went to the bench at the timeout, he pointed to his right temple as he ..."

Kidd leads Dallas Mavericks with triple double, heady play

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February 27

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"They call Jason Kidd a coach on the court.On Friday night, he took out a coach on the court on a play that went a long way toward an unreal win for the Mavericks.Kidd rolled up the 104th triple-double of his career, and this one may be more memorable than any of the others because it comes when he's 36 years old.It was the statistical anchor for the Mavericks.But he did so much more mentally for them as they overcame a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit for an 111-103 overtime victory over the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena.It was their sixth win in a row, their longest streak in two years.Kidd played like it was 1999 and the Mavericks are rolling like it's 2006.Kidd had an impressive ..."

Kidd's savvy coach bump kept Mavs' winning streak alive

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February 27

Dallas Morning News

columnist Eddie Sefko

"Of all the plays that helped the Mavericks on Friday night, a run-in with Atlanta coach Mike Woodson may have been the biggest. A literal run-in. When Jason Kidd angled his direction ever so slightly with 1:37 to go in regulation, he rammed into Woodson. He basically stole one point because Woodson was on the court and the refs had no choice but to assess him a technical foul. "Smartest basketball play I've ever seen in my career," Jason Terry said. Dirk Nowitzki hit the free throw to draw the Mavericks within one point. When the game went into overtime, that extra point obviously was bigger than any other. And when Kidd went to the bench at the timeout, he pointed to his right temple ..."

Woodson takes the hit as Kidd, Mavs stun Hawks

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February 27

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Mavericks guard Jason Kidd stole one from the Hawks and nearly took out coach Mike Woodson in the process. Kidd made three consecutive 3-pointers as the Mavericks overcame a nine-point deficit in the final five minutes of regulation and then dominated overtime for a 111-103 victory. The Mavericks scored the first seven points of overtime to run their winning streak to six games. Starting forward Caron Butler (medication reaction) sat out for Dallas, but Dirk Nowitzki's 37 points and Kidd's triple-double were too much for the Hawks. Kidd had 19 points, 17 assists and 16 rebounds. He stunned the sixth sellout crowd of the season at Philips Arena with his late shooting and angered Hawks fans ..."

Jason Kidd gets triple-double as Mavs rally past Hawks

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February 27

Detroit News

"Jason Kidd needed to take control. Hawks coach Mike Woodson gave him a perfect opportunity. Kidd bumped into and briefly argued with Woodson, the spark Dallas needed to overcome a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter and beat Atlanta 111-103 in overtime on Friday night. "The coach is not supposed to be on the floor," Kidd said. "You see that a lot in games. The NBA has so many rules, and there is a coaching box, and some of the coaches do stretch that box. For me, it's just a reaction. Make something happen. It was a big play for us." Dirk Nowitzki scored 37 points, Kidd had 19 points, 17 assists and 16 rebounds, and the Mavericks won their sixth straight. Kidd had his first ..."

Kidd's savvy coach bump kept Mavs' winning streak alive

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February 27

Dallas Morning News

"Of all the plays that helped the Mavericks on Friday night, a run-in with Atlanta coach Mike Woodson may have been the biggest. A literal run-in. When Jason Kidd angled his direction ever so slightly with 1:37 to go in regulation, he rammed into Woodson. He basically stole one point because Woodson was on the court and the refs had no choice but to assess him a technical foul. "Smartest basketball play I've ever seen in my career," Jason Terry said. Dirk Nowitzki hit the free throw to draw the Mavericks within one point. When the game went into overtime, that extra point obviously was bigger than any other. And when Kidd went to the bench at the timeout, he pointed to his right temple as ..."

Mavericks' rest for Jason Kidd crucial with Lakers looming

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February 23

Dallas Morning News

"With the locker room nearly empty after Monday's 91-82 win against Indiana, Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd went through a funny back and forth about which Maverick All-Star would meet with the small contingent of media remaining. In the end, Kidd was able to skate free, leaving Nowitzki to stand at his locker for an extra six minutes. It continued a Monday trend for Kidd. His minutes were down everywhere. And that's a good thing. To be exact, Kidd played 27 minutes, 35 seconds. He shot 4-of-9 from the field, making 2-of-5 from three-point land. He added three rebounds and seven assists to go with just two turnovers. Things were so good for the Mavericks on Monday that Kidd could watch the ..."

Nowitzki, Kidd look to create new memorable All-Star Mavericks movements

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February 13

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Probably the most memorable moment in NBA All-Star history in regard to the Mavericks occurred in 1987.That's when guard Rolando Blackman represented the Mavs when the game was played in Seattle, and was remembered for literally talking the Western Conference into overtime against the Eastern Conference.With 34,275 fans on hand inside the Kingdome, the West trailed the East by two points. But Blackman drew a foul right before time expired, and then went to the free throw line for two pressure-packed free throws.As each attempt was headed toward the basket, Blackman was seen on television replays talking both into the basket.The West went on to win in overtime, 154-149, in what was then the ..."

Jason Kidd replaces Kobe Bryant on West team

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February 12

Dallas Morning News

"Jason Kidd would like to do one thing for All-Star Weekend. "I hope I can bring the weather with me," he said. Kidd is putting away his golf clubs and leaving 70-degree weather in Arizona, where he was set to enjoy a stress-free weekend. He will return to Dallas in triumphant fashion after he was selected to replace the injured Kobe Bryant on the Western Conference roster in Sunday's All-Star Game. Bryant withdrew because of an ankle injury that has kept him out of several games for the Los Angeles Lakers. Allen Iverson also was excused from the game because of an illness in his family and will be replaced by New York's David Lee for the East. Bryant's absence also creates an opening in ..."

Lakers' Kobe Bryant to miss All-Star game; to be replaced by Mav's Kidd

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February 12

Los Angeles Times

"All the will-he-or-won't-he chatter was rendered moot Thursday when the NBA announced that Kobe Bryant would not play in the All-Star game because of a sprained left ankle. The Lakers guard will be replaced by Dallas veteran Jason Kidd, further diminishing the appeal of a weekend in which Southern California fans had hoped Bryant would lead the West All-Stars to victory and Blake Griffin would dunk on some second-year player's head. Well, there's always Lakers guard Shannon Brown competing in the dunk contest. Bryant has missed the Lakers' last three games and did not speak with reporters about his All-Star status after sitting out a victory over Utah on Wednesday. The upside is that ..."

Kidd puts in two cents regarding 3-point contest

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January 28

Dallas Morning News

"Jason Kidd said he has no intentions of being in the 3-point shootout, or any other part of All-Star Weekend. "I'll be in Arizona watching," Kidd said. "They should put Dirk or Jet in it. Dirk's won it, so they should ask him. That would be cool for him to win it in Texas." Terry couldn't contain his enthusiasm when asked if he's been invited to take part in the 3-point contest. "I'm already getting involved, any way I can, any form or fashion," he said. "Hopefully I'll put my bid in and campaign to be in the 3-point contest. And with it here in Dallas, I got home-court advantage and hopefully I can win it.""

Life without Jason Kidd

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January 24

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks will find out in a couple hours what it's like to play without their conductor. Don't expect beautiful music. Jason Kidd won't play today. He's tending to a personal matter that has been described to me by team folks as "nothing crazy.''"

Jason Kidd would have solved point guard problems for New York Knicks

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January 24

New York Daily News

"If only Jason Kidd had accepted $7 million less than what the Dallas Mavericks offered, the Knicks' point guard problem would be solved. Kidd, though, ran to the money and so the position remains a glaring weakness on Mike D'Antoni's team, except the head coach doesn't see it that way. "(Chris) Duhon's only problem," D'Antoni said with a straight face, "is he can't make a shot right now." That's a little like saying the only problem last week with San Diego Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding was that he couldn't make a field goal."

Jason Kidd dishes out direction for Mavericks

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January 22

Dallas Morning News

"Jason Kidd has made some brilliant passes in the last two games. He's made some simple ones, too. That's the beauty of having a thinking-man's point guard who, when he's right, still dishes the ball better than anybody in the business. That's right. Anybody. "He's leading the team as well as he ever has," coach Rick Carlisle said. "He's got a real pulse on the team and a good hand on the controls. He does a lot of directing and gives the guys a lot of confidence." Which happens when you give them easy baskets, too. Kidd has put on a point-guard clinic the last two games, dishing out 17 assists against Boston and 15 against Washington. His passing fancy (or is it fancy passing?) will ..."

Wizards find it's still a Kidd's game vs. Mavs, 94-93

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January 21

Washington Examiner

"For anyone inclined to believe that Dallas guard Jason Kidd is on the downside of a long, distinguished NBA career, the 36-year-old suggested otherwise Wednesday night at Verizon Center, piling up 15 assists in directing the Mavericks to a 94-93 victory over the Wizards. With revitalized Washington gunning for its first three-game winning streak since April of 2008, Dallas needed Kidd's best playmaking stuff. Two nights earlier, the 6-4 point guard delivered 17 assists in a win at Boston. On Wednesday, 15 was enough as he repeatedly sliced holes in the Wizards' zone defense and found teammates for open lay-ups. "That's what he does - pass the ball, distributes, gets his team into it," said ..."

Wizards find it's still a Kidd's game vs. Mavs, 94-93

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January 21

Washington Examiner

"For anyone inclined to believe that Dallas guard Jason Kidd is on the downside of a long, distinguished NBA career, the 36-year-old suggested otherwise Wednesday night at Verizon Center, piling up 15 assists in directing the Mavericks to a 94-93 victory over the Wizards. With revitalized Washington gunning for its first three-game winning streak since April of 2008, Dallas needed Kidd's best playmaking stuff. Two nights earlier, the 6-4 point guard delivered 17 assists in a win at Boston. On Wednesday, 15 was enough as he repeatedly sliced holes in the Wizards' zone defense and found teammates for open lay-ups. "That's what he does — pass the ball, distributes, gets his team into it," said ..."

Division lead a gift for Dallas Mavericks; Kidd Aching

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December 25

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

(scroll down)

"Dirk Nowitzki and Rick Carlisle have said it time and again. Playing from in front is a whole lot better than being in catch-up mode all the time. It's true in games and it's true for the overall season, which puts the Dallas Mavericks in a good spot. For Christmas, they have a three-game lead in the NBA Southwest Division tucked into their stocking. It's not really a gift, though. They earned it. Going 20-9 has delivered them a decent cushion on Houston, San Antonio and the rest of the division. They're right with Denver for the Western Conference's best record east of Los Angeles. "We're in control," Jason Terry said. In control, inasmuch as a team can be before the New Year. There's ..."

Dallas Mavericks appreciate Kidd's savvy side

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December 16

Dallas Morning News

"At 36, Jason Kidd certainly isn't as quick as he once was. But the criticism he sometimes receives for not being the defender he was earlier in his career is unwarranted, his teammates say. Age slows everyone down but for most, it also brings wisdom. Kidd's not always going to be able to outrun the NBA's quickest guards, but he certainly can still hold them down by outsmarting them. Kidd is savvy. In his 15th season, he often steps up his defense late in games. He's seen it all and knows how to use opponents' tendencies against them by taking advantage of what they like to do, such as drive to the left or shoot from the elbow. "In age, you have to use that to your advantage. Knowledge ..."

Kidd: It doesn't pain me

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December 3

New York Post

"Jason Kidd didn't gloat after last night's game. But he basically said of the Nets' woes right now that it's not his problem. Kidd, a likely future Hall-of-Fame point guard, former Nets superstar and current Mavericks semi-star -- played a splendid game in last night's record-breaking Nets' loss. In the Mavericks' 117-101 rout at the Izod Center, Kidd directed a magnificent Dallas offense, nearly racking up a triple double with 16 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. By the way, he also added five steals and a block. After leading the Nets to the Finals in two straight seasons, maybe it is a little painful to watch his former team reach such depth? "No, 'cause I'm not here, so it doesn't ..."

Kidd rises to No. 2 on all-time assist list

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November 26

Dallas Morning News

"It came, appropriately, on a lob pass. Jason Kidd waited until just the right moment, like he always does, and flipped the ball high over the defense. Roddy Beaubois went up and got it, then flushed it through the net with authority. That gave Kidd his fifth assist of the game against Houston and his 10,335th for his career, pushing him past Mark Jackson for second on the NBA's all-time assist list. He'll never catch John Stockton, of course. That 5,000-dish lead is something Kidd will never make up. Doubtful that anybody else will make it there, either. But what Kidd has done in his career is special. And the truly impressive part of his passing ability is that he's both a crafty ..."

Kidd rises to No. 2 on all-time assist list

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November 26

Dallas Morning News

"It came, appropriately, on a lob pass. Jason Kidd waited until just the right moment, like he always does, and flipped the ball high over the defense. Roddy Beaubois went up and got it, then flushed it through the net with authority. That gave Kidd his fifth assist of the game against Houston and his 10,335th for his career, pushing him past Mark Jackson for second on the NBA's all-time assist list. He'll never catch John Stockton, of course. That 5,000-dish lead is something Kidd will never make up. Doubtful that anybody else will make it there, either. But what Kidd has done in his career is special. And the truly impressive part of his passing ability is that he's both a crafty ..."

Mavs need the 3 for their long-range plans

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November 21

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks' two most frequent 3-point shooters, and arguably their best from long range, have been going in opposite directions lately. Jason Kidd missed his first seven 3-pointers of the season, then went through a skull session with development coach Brad Davis and has been over .500 since (24-for-46), including 5-of-9 against Sacramento on Friday. But the rest of the team was 0-for-10, including Jason Terry, who missed all five of his attempts. To his credit, the Jet didn't force things against the Kings, shooting better than 50 percent overall (8-of-15) because he got his midrange game going. He led a huge Mavericks' bench brigade with 20 points. The law of averages says Terry ..."

24 seconds with Jason Kidd

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November 8

San Antonio Express-News

"Kidd re-signed with the Mavericks in July, a three-year deal for $25.3 million. At age 36, he remains one of basketball's best point guards. Recently, he answered some pointed questions for the Express-News. At this point in your career, how important is it to believe your team has a legitimate shot at winning it all? Everyone's goal is always to win a title, but realistically, there are a limited number that really can do it. All you (media) guys know that. Of course, but I contend the Spurs and Mavs weren't legit contenders last year but improved enough over the summer to get back in the mix, and I wonder if you agree."

At 36, Dallas Mavericks' savvy Kidd can still steal the show

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October 25

Dallas Morning News

"If you were building the perfect basketball player, using parts from various NBA stars, you would do well to start with Jason Kidd's brain. You can get the legs and a few other body parts elsewhere. Even Kidd acknowledges that. But he's quick to add that there's no substitute for basketball smarts. "I'd rather lose a step and know what I know," Kidd says, "than have that step back and not know anything." There is plenty to back up that statement. The numbers, the career and the fact that he's regarded as perhaps the best leader in the game all speak to the success the Mavericks' point guard has had in a remarkable 15-year run that he wants everybody to know isn't over yet. In fact, this ..."

NBA players will adjust if regular officials don't return

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September 23

Dallas Morning News

"Jason Kidd was preparing to answer a question about the NBA using replacement referees during the preseason and perhaps in the regular season. Then, he caught himself. "There are too many cameras and mikes," he said. Intrusive media members won't get the unfiltered version of what players think about having replacement referees if the NBA and the referees' union cannot agree on a collective bargaining agreement before the season starts next month. The league is prepared to lock out the referees over what amounts to NBA chump change - less than $1 million separates the two sides, according to several reports. The referees have accepted that they will have to make give-backs to the ..."

Kidd, Marion reunited on Dallas

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September 22

Dallas Morning News

"Jason Kidd remembers yesteryear like it was yesterday. Donnie Nelson (far left), the Mavericks' president of basketball operations, joined (from left) Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Nathan Jawai, Quinton Ross, Drew Gooden, Tim Thomas and Rick Carlisle as a new uniform was unveiled. He had a young, raw teammate on the Phoenix Suns who was just learning how good he could really be. And Kidd, as the point guard and leader of the Suns in 2001, made it his duty to cultivate the new kid. He saw Shawn Marion grow up that season. "He listened," Kidd said Monday. "You can ask him about our first playoff series with Sacramento, and he had to guard Peja [Stojakovic]."

Kidd won over by Dallas Mavericks' shot at winning

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July 7

Dallas Morning News

"Jason Kidd has a reputation as one of the smartest players in the NBA. He knows the game. And he also knows a good situation when he sees one. That's why he will be re-signing with the Mavericks when free agents can make it official Wednesday. Kidd said Monday that the Mavericks' immediate future was the swaying factor for him coming back, rather than jumping to New York. A few extra million dollars didn't hurt either. But the prospect of rebuilding with New York couldn't compete with the Mavericks, who remain a solid playoff team that is a key piece or two away from being serious title contenders. Kidd is no less optimistic than owner Mark Cuban when it comes to the Mavericks' chances. ..."

Kidd decides to remain with Dallas Mavericks

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July 6

Dallas Morning News

"Jason Kidd has agreed to come back to the Mavericks for a three-year contract worth more than $25 million, owner Mark Cuban said Sunday night. Kidd, 36, whom the Mavericks traded for in February 2008, had been pursued by the New York Knicks, among others, in the free-agent period this summer. "We are excited to have Jason Kidd back in a Mavs' uniform," Cuban said. "He was a major contributor for us last year, and we expect more of the same next year. "We also are excited to have him tutor [point guards] Roddy Beaubois and J.J. Barea. This is hopefully the first of several deals to come in the next couple weeks.""

Kidd to Stay in Dallas

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July 6

New York Post

"With Jason Kidd off the radar, the Knicks now can focus on another 36-year-old free agent, Grant Hill, who visits their Westchester compound today. As expected, Kidd has made a verbal commitment to stay in Dallas, his agent Jeff Schwartz confirmed last night to The Post. As much as Kidd wanted to light up the Garden, be near his kids and play for coach Mike D'Antoni, the Knicks were never serious contenders because they couldn't make a competitive offer. The Knicks only could offer Kidd, 36, the mid-level exception for a maximum three years, totaling $18.2 million. Dallas' offer was $25 million. Though Kidd will deny it, there's speculation he used the Knicks' interest to get the ..."

Kidd Staying Put

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July 3

Hoopsworld.com

"In this week's section geared exclusively towards the latest rumors floating around the NBA … Kidd Staying Put: An informed source has told HOOPSWORLD that Jason Kidd intends to return to the Dallas Mavericks for a three-year, $24 million contract. Kidd has indicated to the Mavericks and New York Knicks that he'll mull over their respective offers over the weekend. The Knicks are said to be offering Jason a guaranteed three years at the Mid-Level Exception (MLE) which works out to be approximately $18.1 million. Barring a surprising change of events, Kidd is expected to notify the Dallas on Monday that he'll take their offer which would start at approximately $7.25 million for the ..."

Forget any debate, Dallas Mavericks eager to re-sign Jason Kidd

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May 16

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"When Jason Kidd helped lead the Dallas Mavericks past the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, I giggled. When the same Kidd was embarrassed by the Denver Nuggets' Chauncey Billups in the second round, I retched. I suspect most of you shared those conflicting emotions. In those two scenarios lie the ever-present dilemmas the Mavericks face as they decide whether to re-sign their 36-year-old point guard to a new contract. Kidd is good enough to take the Mavs to a certain point, but in the NBA's Western Conference with its profusion of ultra-talented point guards, he's eventually going to run into someone — Chris Paul, Billups, somebody — who eats his lunch and makes him ..."

Dallas Mavericks' Kidd undone by Denver's aggressive concept

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May 4

Dallas Morning News

columnist David Moore

"Jason Kidd had eight turnovers. Next I suppose you will try to tell me that Arlen Specter is no longer a Republican. The Mavericks' normally unflappable point guard was rattled by Denver's frenetic, trapping defense. A player who turned the ball over three times in the team's first-round series with San Antonio now owns the Mavericks' postseason record for most turnovers in a regulation game. "Well, if I was going for a triple-double, I should have stayed in and kicked it around a couple of more times," Kidd said. "I should have been more aggressive and held the ball longer instead of picking it up. When I picked it up, they swarmed me. That's what they live for." The Mavericks won't ..."

Billups, Kidd worth exclamation points

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May 3

Denver Post

columnist Dave Krieger

"The hottest point guards in the NBA's Western Conference are Deron Williams, 24, and Chris Paul, who turns 24 on Wednesday. Everybody says so. So why will the two of them be watching the rest of the playoffs on television while Jason Kidd, 36, and Chauncey Billups, 32, face off in the conference semifinals beginning this afternoon? "There aren't many point guards under 30 (still) playing," Nuggets coach George Karl said Saturday. "Derek Fisher and Chauncey and Jason are kind of proud, older, veteran guys, and they're still pretty good when it counts. I think young players get a lot of attention, and most of it is earned, but some of it is given to them, in my opinion." Kidd and Billups ..."

Jason Kidd and Chauncey Billups kick it old school

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May 3

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The NBA is a world of sizzle and glamour and bling. And yet, the Dallas Mavericks' Western Conference semifinals match with Denver will feature two point guards who couldn't care less about behind-the-back glitz. Jason Kidd and Chauncey Billups are old-school warriors. Forget sizzle. They are grade-A, superior-quality point guards for whom winning is the only meaty issue. "This series," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said Saturday, "will be a better-basketball DVD on how to play the point." The young, flashy point guards of the "now" NBA are Chris Paul and Deron Williams. They're also on vacation. Kidd and Billups? They represent the best of the vintage point guards left playing. "It's two ..."

Mavericks want free agent Kidd to return

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April 30

Dallas Morning News

"Though it looked at the time like Jason Terry knew something the rest of us didn't, he said Wednesday his comment about Jason Kidd's future was not a sign of Kidd's imminent departure from the Mavericks. After the Mavericks closed out San Antonio on Tuesday, the sixth man of the year said on a postgame television interview that Kidd "is probably not going to be with us next year." That caused a stir among Mavericks fans, but Terry said he wasn't privy to any future personnel decisions by the team. "Basically, I was saying the time is now to win," Terry said via e-mail. He added that since Kidd is a free agent this summer, there are no guarantees that Kidd will be in Dallas. Owner Mark ..."

Kidd has become the heart of Dallas Mavericks

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April 18

Dallas Morning News

"The face of the Mavericks' franchise is Dirk Nowitzki. It's the fingerprints that have undergone a change this season, particularly over the last couple of months. Not coincidentally, the identity alteration has coincided with improved play. A strand of Jason Kidd's DNA has been weaved into the fabric of this team. "There's no question about whose team it is," Jason Terry says. "J-Kidd, how he goes, we go. It's his show. "He feels more confident in the structure and the way this team is set up. He's had a year to get comfortable. And he's going to have a great series. He knows this is his year." As they start the playoffs tonight against San Antonio, the Mavericks can look themselves ..."

Mavericks can still prove a point

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April 12

Dallas Morning News

columnist Tim Cowlishaw

"I can't be honest and say that Mavericks fever has taken over the city of Dallas. In fact, I think for a lot of sports fans, the first week of the Rangers season seemed more significant than the final week of the Mavericks season. But I think we learned one thing, once and for all. Starting with the 140-116 victory over the Phoenix Suns and continuing through the thrashing of the Utah Jazz that gave Dallas the chance to leap out of that dreaded No. 8 spot in the Western Conference standings, and concluding with Friday's win over New Orleans, we figured out that the Mavericks need Jason Kidd. They need him now. They need to re-sign him for next year. Without him, they are a team with no ..."

Jason Kidd shows a Magic touch

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April 6

Dallas Morning News

columnist David Moore

"Steve Nash offers his congratulations. One million assists is a lot. Jason Kidd laughed at the joke as the two stood near midcourt. The Mavericks point guard had no idea. Sunday's purpose was to leave Phoenix all but dead and buried in the playoff race, not to pass Earvin "Magic" Johnson. But as the crowd cheers and Kidd learns late in the first half that he bumped Johnson from third place on the NBA's all-time assist list, his thoughts drift to one of his boyhood idols. For the statistical sticklers among you, Kidd is still shy of a million assists. He's at 10,148 and counting. He picked up 20 Sunday to fuel the Mavericks' 140-116 victory. Afterward, Kidd talks more about what the win ..."

The Q with Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Kidd

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March 30

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Q: You started the game guarding LeBron James. Did you volunteer for that assignment, and how do you think it worked? A: Well, he almost had a triple double in the first half (nine points, eight assists, five rebounds), so I don't know how much that worked. He's so talented. He can find the open guy. He's so unselfish and scores when he has to. You just hope he misses and that he turns the ball over, and he hasn't done that for a while. You just try and make it tough on him. We were going to double-team him anyway. So I just started on him to give him a different look and try to make him shoot jump shots. I was fresh. It wasn't like I was going to guard him the whole night. Q: Is he the ..."

Kidd shows he wants challenge

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March 30

Dallas Morning News

"Jason Kidd on Sunday came through with one of those acts of leadership that sometimes go unnoticed. Kidd informed coach Rick Carlisle he wanted a chance to guard LeBron James from the opening tip. Kidd said he was feeling great physically after resting his back for one game. The result? James was 3-of-11 in the first half and had nine points. Yes, he had eight assists. And he would make a flurry of jump shots in the third quarter, when the Cavaliers pulled away. But Kidd's move showed guts and sent a strong message to his teammates. It could have backfired. But it didn't. Kidd did a commendable job on James, even if it didn't translate into a victory. It was as if Kidd was saying to his ..."

Kidd dismisses talk of free agency

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March 30

Dallas Morning News

"When the Mavericks' season is over, Jason Kidd will be a free agent with plenty of options. His phone will be ringing nonstop. But there's one call he hopes he doesn't get - from LeBron James. After Sunday's loss to James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kidd said he tries not to think about James calling him and suggesting a reunion next season. The two became friends when they played together for the U.S. Olympic team. "Yeah, that's a hard call," Kidd said. "You don't want to answer the phone. I just have to explore my different options I'm going to have this summer." Kidd tries not to think about the summer. There's plenty of season left for the Mavericks. But with the Mavericks playing ..."