When Jason steps on the court for Friday night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, it will mark the 1,101st contest of his career, moving him ahead of Dennis Johnson for 46th on the all-time list of games played.
The future Hall of Famer’s climb up various stats lists continues against the Grizzlies; with 23 assists, Jason will tie Magic Johnson for fourth all-time. J-Kidd has averaged 10.7 assists over the last three games, so it shouldn’t take long for him to overtake the Lakers former No. 32.
The last time these two teams met, the Grizzlies beat the Mavs 102-82, so Dallas has to be careful to not take Memphis lightly. No. 2 has averaged 7.3 points, 7.3 assists, and eight boards against the Grizzlies so far this season. He will continue to look for a play that has served the Mavs extremely well recently: namely, the lob pass.
For a team that has trouble scoring in the paint at times, the lob is a perfect weapon for the Mavs. Jason knows its value, as he told the Star Telegram:
“Hey, it gets us easy baskets. That’s always a good thing.”
ONE OF THE BEST
In a column by ESPN on the 50 best high school basketball players of all time, Jason Kidd was named the 15th best.
Here’s what ESPN said:
Jason Kidd (St. Joseph Notre Dame/Alameda, Calif.) Kidd shaped his game on the playgrounds of Oakland against future NBA star Gary Payton. Kidd helped SJND win back to back state titles, the second in 1992. He concluded his prep career as California’s all-time assist leader (1,155) and the state’s seventh best scorer (2,661 points). He holds national steal records, both single-season (245) and career (719). He was the two-time California player of the year and named national player of the year by three outlets. He played in the McDonald’s All-American Game before heading to California-Berkeley. Kidd, a nine-time NBA All-Star, currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks. He won gold medals in Sydney (2000) and Beijing (2008).
WEEK IN REVIEW
After taking a day off for the first time because of a sore back, J.Kidd has come roaring back. If you missed him in action, here’s what happened:
3.30.2009 | Jason Returns, but Cavs beat Mavs
J-Kidd got the Mavs out to an early 15-point lead, but they were unable to hold on as the Cavaliers came back to win 102-74.3.31.2009: Hoping to Run the Wolves
Jason and the Mavs look to beat the Wolves for the 12th straight time as the Mavs continue their stretch run into the playoffs.4.01.2009: Dimed Into Submission
J-Kidd had 7 assists in 9 minutes as the Mavs beat the T-Wolves 108-88.4.02.2009: Superstar Performance
Jason displayed some major leadership as he took on the job of guarding D.Wade in the Mavs 98-96 victory over the Heat.
NEXT UP
The Mavs face the Grizzlies Friday night at 7 pm CST.
With the Jazz loss to the Nuggets Thursday night, the Mavs are now only 1 game behind the 7th placed Jazz. If the Mavs want to accomplish their goal of moving up in the standings, they will have to take care of business against Memphis.
RELATED STORIES
Lob Call is a Slam Dunk, and Dallas Mavericks getting good at it (Star-Telegram, Apr. 2nd, 2009)
http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/1296712.html
Kobe, Shaq among top 15 best prep players (ESPN.com, Apr. 2nd, 2009)
http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/rise/basketball/boys/news/story?id=4036381&campaign=rsssrch&source=jason+kidd
Mavs seek to avenge loss to Grizzlies (HoopsWorld, Apr. 2nd, 2009)
http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=18123
Friday Donuts: Dallas 1 Game Back (Dallasbasketball.com, Apr. 3rd, 2009)
http://www.dallasbasketball.com/fullColumn.php?id=1479