Jason Kidd knows there’s always room for improvement.
That’s why after playing near-perfect basketball in the Dallas Mavericks’ 101-86 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats and finishing the game with an enviable 18:1 assist to turnover ratio, it was that single turnover that Jason was focused on.
"I was a little upset because the turnover I got to Shawn Marion was a little easier pass than most of the other passes. So I told Shawn I owe him one. I’m just happy my teammates were knocking down shots."
Knock down shots is exactly what they did and, with J-Kidd at point, the Mavericks’ scoring seamed effortless. For the game, when Jason led the offense, the Mavs outscored the Bobcats a whopping 70-43. No. 2 provided the open looks that allowed the team to shoot nearly 55 percent from the field
Jason’s teammates were more than happy to benefit from many opportunities he provided. Dirk Nowitzki spoke after the game about Jason’s command of the offense, as quoted by Mavs Moneyball:
"I definitely took advantage of my opportunities out there and Jason was spreading the offense around. We got some good looks. It was fun. Kidd is obviously a Hall of Famer."
WIN STREAK ON THE LINE
The Mavs have won nine straight home games against the Memphis Grizzlies and will look to make it 10 in a row tonight at American Airlines Arena.
During the win-streak, the Mavs have beaten the Grizzlies by an average of 12.1 points. Without center Marc Gasol and forward Zach Randolph playing for Memphis, Jason will look to take advantage of his teammates’ height advantage.
The game is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m. CST and the game can be seen on Fox Sports Southwest.
JUDGING THE COMPETITION
After finishing last year with their tenth consecutive winning season, J-Kidd and the Mavs expect to be right in the thick of things again.
This time, though, they believe they have all the tools they need to reach, and win, the NBA Finals.
"This team is a team that can win 50 games-plus and be exciting to watch every night but the big thing we all in this locker room agree that we want to try and win a championship and we think we have the weapons to do that."
No. 2 took some time to talk to KESN-FM in Dallas about the season and who he sees as the Mavs’ main competitors this year:
"The Lakers are the team to beat. They’re the two-time defending champs and everybody is going to talk about Miami but you look at Boston, you look at Orlando, in the Eastern Conference, those teams will be there.
"Again, here in the Western Conference, you got Oklahoma City; you can never count out San Antonio; Houston looks good; and so, with that being said, the West is going to be tough but we hope to be right there at the top."
For more from Jason’s radio interview, click here.
RELATED STORIES
- PGQ Game 1 ‘Where Jason Kidd dominated’ (Mavs Moneyball, Oct. 28, 2010)
- "The West is going to be tough but we hope to be right there" (Mavsblog.com, October 28, 2010)
- Kidd Miffed, Haywood Adjusting (Mavsblog.com, October 27, 2010)
- Jason Kidd and indefensible Dirk make it a breeze (Dallas Morning News, October 28, 2010)
- Kidd makes all the difference for Mavericks in season opener (Dallas Morning News, October, 27, 2010)
- Grizzlies-Mavericks Preview (espn.com, October 29, 2010)