Many years ago, with his team attempting to defend its title and playing a condensed, hectic schedule that’s had them on the court at least every other night of late, Jason Kidd might have forced his way back from an injury sooner than he was ready.


Jason Kidd won’t rush his return after suffering a back injury last week, opting to give it time to heal (Getty Images).

But if 18 years in the NBA have taught Jason anything, it’s that, as a player, it is your responsibility to take care of your body for the long haul. And if that body is screaming for some rest, even in the midst of a tough stretch of games, sometimes it is best to listen. 

That’s what No. 2 will be doing over the next week after suffering a lower back injury in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. Coach Rick Carlisle briefed the media on the injury over the weekend.

"We don’t believe it’s a real serious thing," Carlisle said. "But we’re going to err on the side of caution with it."

Jason played just 11 minutes in the 93-71 loss to San Antonio, dishing out three assists and grabbing two rebounds, the second of which caused the injury. He tried to play through it, but the pain just became too much.

"It wasn’t on purpose.

[DeJuan Blair] was leaning on me and I was trying to box him out. It just aggravated it," Jason told the Dallas Morning News. "[It just needs] rehab and a little rest."

Two nights after the injury, J-Kidd missed his first game of the season on Saturday, when the Mavs defeated the New Orleans Hornets, 96-81. He is also expected to miss at least two more games as the Mavs head off on a road trip for a Tuesday-Wednesday back-to-back in Detroit and Boston. Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki believes that Jason’s absence will create a big void.

"He’s our floor general out there," Nowitzki said. "Even those games we won, he didn’t really have a big scoring night or a game where he’s been on fire, but just his leadership, him running the floor, running the ball out there, it’s very important to us. If he’s out we just have to get it done somehow. Just got to fight through it, but it’s definitely tough out there without your floor leader."

Carlisle said it will take some adjusting for the Mavs to run their offense without No. 2, who is as durable as they come, having missed just five games over the last three seasons.

"The guy’s been an anchor. He’s been always there. He’s been a steadying force. And we got to make up for it with other guys," the Dallas coach said. "You don’t have that guy, who has been a safety blanket for all of us here for however many years, our game is going to have to change somewhat and we’re going to have to be very tied together."

"We have lost our general," Shawn Marion added. "We need to hold the fort until he gets back."

MAKE J-KIDD AN ALL-STAR 
Jason was one of five Mavericks to be included on the NBA All-Star ballot, released on Wednesday. 60 players from each conference, selected by a panel of sportswriters, made the cut. But in order to make the final cut and join the team, No. 2 needs your help.

You can vote for J-Kidd to take the court with the Western Conference on February 26th in Orlando by visiting NBA.com and filling out an online ballot here or simply by texting "Kidd" to 69622. Voting ends January 31, so vote early and often!

NEXT UP
The Mavs depart on Sunday for a two-game road trip to Detroit and Boston.

But the trip will first take them to Washington, D.C., where they will be given the customary championship treatment with a ceremony and meet and greet with President Barack Obama at the White House. Despite his back injury, Jason doesn’t plan on missing the trip.

"He’s got the hardest job in the world,” Jason said. "I’m just going there to shake his hand and take a picture."

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