Four games into the preseason, Jason Kidd has seen some things in his Mavericks team that he knows they need to improve as the season approaches.

Among those, during Dallas’ 1-3 start, is the way they start. No. 2 doesn’t like the dynamic the Mavs have brought into games and believes it has slowed them down early in their first few contests. It’s only preseason but it’s something that has been on the floor general’s mind as he told the Dallas Morning News:

"The biggest thing is we need to play with a little more energy to start the game. We’re a veteran ballclub, and we don’t always come out with that energy that we need because I think we know the importance – and sometimes that’s to our disadvantage – of the last six minutes of the fourth quarter, when you want to make sure you’re right. So we do have to address that because it’s put us in a bad situation. Me and Dirk

[Nowitzki] were trying to address the problem."

Through the first four games in the preseason, J-Kidd has 22 points, 18 assists, 14 rebounds and six steals despite playing less then 20 minutes per game.

In the Mavs’ preseason debut, Jason had seven points and five assists. In their most recent game, a loss to Cleveland on Monday, No. 2 played over 20 minutes for the first time, tallying eight points and six dimes in the process.

40-YEAR-OLD POINT GUARD?
J-Kidd continues to pace himself in the preseason as he aims to remain fresh.

Staying fresh has been a staple of Jason’s career. It’s what allowed him to be rejuvenated last year and turn in an All-Star campaign at 36 years old.

No. 2 recently told AOL Fanhouse that he has no interest in retiring anytime soon and he could be following in the footsteps of another Hall of Fame point guard, as he told Fanhouse:

“I would love to follow in [John Stockton’s] footsteps. It’s all on the ground. So I just try to anticipate and use my wisdom against the younger guys. If I can do that until I’m 40, 41, that’d be a great accomplishment. … As long as [Dallas owner Mark] Cuban has a job for me, I would love to [play past 40]. Mentally and physically, if I can keep going, if I can be where I am today, I think I can do it.’‘

With five straight seasons of at least 80 games played, Jason is on track and if he can continue his up-tempo, unselfish play, the decision when to retire appears to be in his hands.

PRACTICE SCARE
Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle collapsed during Friday’s practice, was hospitalized and did not travel with the team to Phoenix on Saturday night.

Carlisle was released from the hospital late Friday with no ill effects from the fainting spell and returned to the sidelines on Monday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers. No. 2 told Fox Sports that the incident put things into perspective.

”I heard the fall,” Jason said. “Basketball is our job, but life comes before our job or anything else. Your well-being is the most important thing. That’s our coach and our family member.”

NEXT UP
The Mavericks are back in action on Wednesday night in Detroit against the Pistons.

With a limited amount of games left before the season opener, Jason will surely be looking to tune-up his skills before facing Charlotte in the 2010-2011 season tip-off in just over two weeks’ time.

Wednesday’s game with the Pistons begins at 6 p.m. CST.

RELATED ARTICLES
Mavericks’ Kidd shooting to play into his 40s (Yahoo! Sports, Oct. 8, 2010)
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Mavericks-Kidd-shooting-to-play-into-his-40s?urn=nba-275542
What can Mavericks do to avoid starting slow? (Dallas Morning News, Oct. 8, 2010 )
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/100810dnspomavslede.2adf13f.html
Mavericks coach Carlisle focused on synergy of team holding into season (Dallas Morning News, Oct. 3, 2010)
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http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/mavericks/post/_/id/4670771/jason-kidd-tyson-chandler-has-his-hops
Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle release from hospital after collapsing at practice (FOX, Oct. 8, 2010)
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