Since the Dallas Mavericks have embarked on their current 13-game win streak, Jason Kidd and Co. have improved in almost every category – points, points allowed, steals, blocks – but one statistic stands out.
The Mavs are averaging 25.6 assists per game during the streak, a clear indicator that J-Kidd is running the show. By himself, Jason is averaging 10.3 assists in the streak.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told ESPN that head coach Rick Carlisle doesn’t need to stress with No. 2 leading the way:
"When you have J. Kidd, sometimes the best thing is just to say go."
The sudden surge in assists is a true testament to the Mavericks playing for their team, not for themselves. Dirk Nowitzki said it all starts with Jason, as he told ESPN.
"We don’t really have a selfish bone on this team," Nowitzki said. "If a guy is in a better position, he’s going to get the ball. It starts obviously with J. Kidd, who is one of the best passers and one of the most unselfish players that we’ve seen. He sets the tone of unselfish play for us every night."
The assist machine himself said he trusts his teammates on the court, which allows him to dish the ball out effortlessly.
"It’s just feeling comfortable that my guy out there is going to do the right thing, and I’m going to trust him," Kidd said. "Sometimes coaches have a hard time with that."
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Although the Mavs have 13 straight wins under their belt, they keep a humble swagger, as Carlisle told the Dallas Morning News.
"Our guys aren’t getting giddy or smitten with themselves about this at all," Carlisle said. "We all understand we’re on a journey to get from point A to point Z, and Z being right there to have a chance to win it."
The selfless Mavericks take on the New York Knicks Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. CST on Fox Sports Network.
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Carlisle wants to stay out of Kidd’s way (ESPN.com, March 11, 2010)
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