Jason Kidd didn’t wait long into Friday’s 99-90 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers to add another incredible feat to his Hall-of-Fame resume.

J-Kidd hit a 19-foot jumper to give his team the early lead. But it was when the point guard lobbed a pass towards the hoop after center Tyson Chandler’s pick and roll that Jason hit his milestone. As the big man completed the play with a slam, Jason was rewarded for his contribution to the score with his 11,000th career assist.

No. 2 was typically humble about his amazing achievement while speaking to ESPN Dallas writer Jeff Caplan after the game:

"It was nice, going with a pass that I enjoy throwing a lot. Tyson came up with the catch, but he has the hardest part. All the guys that put the ball in for me always had the hardest part and that’s putting the ball in the basket."

Chandler noted that he was happy to be the guy that helped Jason get to 11,000.

"I definitely have to get the poster of that and put it up and say that I gave him 11,000 assists."

Aside from the milestone, J-Kidd put together another strong game, finishing with 10 points, eight assists and four steals. His eight assists moved his career total to 11,007. He remains second all-time in assists, behind only John Stockton. According to J-Kidd, passing is what he enjoys most about the game:

"I’ve just enjoyed passing the ball. It’s made the game fun and easy for me. To have that many and just think about how far I am from Stockton, it just let’s me know that Stockton’s a little bit better."

PULLING AHEAD
J-Kidd provided early offensive opportunities for his teammates, as he had a hand in nine of the Mavs’ first 13 points.

Dallas once again managed to get off to a good start in the game and scored a season-high 31 points by the end of the first quarter. The 76ers managed just 22 points in the first.

After taking a breather at the two-minute mark of the first, Jason re-entered the game in the second with seven-and-a-half minutes remaining. His timely pass to Chandler allowed the Mavs to break free from a 10-0 76ers run and moments later No. 2 sank two free throws of his own to put his team ahead 48-43.

Jason also added in some smooth shooting that helped the Mavs extend their lead.

With 42 seconds left in the half, No. 2 sank a three pointer from the top of the arc to give the Mavs a 55-46 lead. Late in the third quarter J-Kidd added another triple, pushing a one-point lead to four at 69-65. The Mavs would not trail in the game again and their defense allowed the 76ers to score just 15 fourth quarter points.

76ers coach Doug Collins, a longtime NBA analyst, isn’t surprised by Jason’s solid play again this season and compared No. 2 to another master of his trade, as quoted by Mavs Moneyball.

“I compare Jason Kidd a little bit to Brett Favre, and I mean that in a very positive way,” Collins said. “He’s a gunslinger. He will take risks with the ball that a lot of guys won’t take. When I broadcasted games I used to always say that he played like he had a rearview mirror – he not only saw what was in front of him but what was behind him. He will go somewhere knowing where a guy is coming, not where he already is. And he has such great instincts."

NEXT UP
The Mavs welcome the NBA’s last undefeated team on Monday night as the New Orleans Hornets visit Big D.

Jason believes the game will have an atmosphere close to that of the playoffs and expects it to be tough for both teams:

"The way the schedule sets up, now we have New Orleans twice, Monday and Wednesday. So, it’s kind of a playoff situation, when you play one team twice in a row – one at home and one on the road. So, we look forward to the challenge. They’re a good team. They’re undefeated and they’re playing well."

The game will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest, with a 7:30 p.m. CST tip.

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