Jason Kidd’s place in NBA history is safe, but as the 2009-1010 season goes on, No. 2 is inventing new reasons to love his game.

J-Kidd grabbed his 104th career triple-double on Friday night with 19 points, 17 assists and 16 rebounds as the Mavericks picked up a 110-103 overtime victory over the Atlanta Hawks at Phillips Arena in Atlanta.

The Mavericks trailed 76-65 entering the fourth quarter and with his team behind by as many as 15 late, J-Kidd took the lead. In the final frame alone, No. 2 scored 11 points, grabbed eight boards and delivered seven assists. It was a good night for most point guards, accomplished in 12 minutes.


Jason and Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson after one of the strangest — and smartest — plays in NBA history (Getty Images).

J-Kidd’s fourth quarter heroics got Dallas to overtime and they powered past the Hawks 12-4 in the extra-time.

But Friday’s triple-double was especially noteworthy. Jason also became the first to accomplish a 15/15/15 triple double since a 22-year old Kidd did so against the Los Angeles Clippers with 21 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists on January 30, 1996. He’s still stuffing the stats box 14 years later.

No. 2 told NBC Sports that this triple-double in particular is special to him.

"This one, I will treasure as much as the first one I had," Kidd said. "At 36, I feel great. A triple-double at 36 is special."

With his 15/15/15, Jason ranks among the league’s very best of all-time. Since 1981-82, only three players have accomplished the feat: Jason Kidd, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Each player has now accomplished the feat twice.

Based on his performance against the Hawks, Jason Terry told ESPN he thinks the NBA should induct J-Kidd to the Hall of Fame now.

"I keep saying it, but they should just put him in now," Terry said. "There shouldn’t be a first, second or third ballot. First active player to ever be in the Hall of Fame. Why not?"

HEADS UP!
The most talked about and possibly the most important play of the NBA weekend wasn’t a buzzer beater, a timely steal or a gravity-defying dunk.

It was Jason Kidd’s collision with Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Woodson.

The Mavericks trailed Atlanta 97-95 with under two minutes remaining in regulation on Friday night and Jason knew his team needed a play.

J-Kidd’s wheels started turning when he noticed Woodson was standing on the court with the ball in play, which is against NBA rules. As Jason ran up the court, he veered purposefully toward Woodson, who was directing his defense.

The two collided and a technical foul was called on Woodson, shifting the momentum of the entire game. The Mavericks took the Hawks 111-103 in overtime. No. 2 told NBA.com what went through his head when he made the play.

"I saw him on the court; we needed a point somehow," Kidd said. "I had to make the officials make something happen there. The coach is not supposed to be on the floor. The NBA has so many rules and there is a coaching box and some of the coaches do stretch that box. Any time a coach is on the floor, that’s gotta be a T. The officials got it right."

To his credit, Woodson also gave J-Kidd kudos for his heads up play in postgame comments to USA Today:

"He made a heck of a play," Woodson said. "Jason Kidd is an All-Star. He’s a (potential) Hall of Fame guard. He’s had a hell of a career. He did what he had to do. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out to favor the team. I’ve got to take the hit for that."

J-Kidd’s performance against the Hawks left his coaches and teammates all but speechless. Head coach Rick Carlisle thinks No. 2’s heads-up performance puts him on the same level as NBA legends, as he told the Star Telegram:

"I don’t know if there’s ever been a smarter player in this league. There may be a few equals. Magic Johnson,

[Larry] Bird, [Michael] Jordan, a few others. But I tell you, to have the presence of mind to make that happen at a critical situation is just amazing."

Dirk Nowitzki had just one thing to say to the Star Telegram about his veteran teammate.

"He’s the smartest player I’ve ever seen," Nowitzki said.

MOVING ON UP
J-Kidd is no stranger to the NBA all-time lists. This season alone, he has cruised to the No. 2 spot on the career assists list and the No. 6 spot on the career three-pointers list.

When he grabbed the ball from Darren Collison in the third quarter against the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday nightt, Jason passed Maurice Cheeks and settled into the No. 4 spot on the career steals list.

J-Kidd has committed 2,311 acts of ball thievery in his career. Above him on the list are NBA legends John Stockton, Michael Jordan and Gary Payton.

No. 2 finished the night with 13 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals as the Mavs beat the Hornets 108-100 for their seventh straight win, their longest winning streak in two years.

NEXT UP
J-Kidd and the Mavs hope to extend their win streak tonight against the Charlotte Bobcats at 6 p.m. CST on Fox Sports Network.

RELATED STORIES
Kidd leads Dallas Mavericks with triple double, heady play (Star Telegram, Feb. 26, 2010)
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/02/26/2001211/kidd-leads-dallas-mavericks-with.html
Kidd bumps Hawks coach, sparks Mavs to win (NBC Sports, Feb. 27, 2010)
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/35612602/ns/sports-nba/
Dallas Mavericks have their mojo back (Star Telegram, Feb. 28, 2010)
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/02/27/2002662/dallas-mavericks-have-their-mojo.html
Terry: Put Kidd in Hall of Fame now (ESPN.com, Feb. 28, 2010)
http://www.nba.com/games/20100226/DALATL/gameinfo.html
Hornets at Mavericks Boxscore (NBA.com, March 1, 2010)
http://www.nba.com/games/20100228/NOHDAL/gameinfo.html?ls=gt2hp0020900885
Mavericks at Hawks Boxscore (NBA.com, March 1, 2010)
http://www.nba.com/games/20100226/DALATL/gameinfo.html
Kidd’s triple double helps Mavericks eclipse Hawks in OT (USA Today, February 27, 2010)
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2010-02-26-mavericks-hawks_N.htm