The Mavericks tonight
They’re coming off a huge win Monday night at Orlando, but the Blazers have done that, too. Dallas has been playing better and scoring more points since Coach Rick Carlisle handed the play calling over to Jason Kidd.
At this point of his career, I would think that’s one of the big advantages Kidd could bring to the floor. He never was much of a shooter and the great defense he used to play is a faint memory. But if you’re looking for leadership and a sensitive feel for the NBA game, man he’s got to be one of the best — if not THE best — in the business.
I remember the days when football teams used to let the quarterback call his own plays and when you had a great, veteran signal caller it was a tremendous advantage. In this case, not only do you get Kidd’s expertise you also uptempo your game quite a bit because the point guard isn’t looking over his shoulder at the bench all the time, like a batter stepping out of the box waiting for a sign from the third-base coach.
I’ve never been a big fan of Kidd. I’ve said it many times before, but I always seem to like shooters and he’s never been that. But I could see — and it’s not going to happen — how much good it would do a team like this, or a young point guard like Jerryd Bayless, to have Kidd around for a season or two to mentor them.
There’s no getting around what a smart player he’s always been and it would be a bit of a Scottie Pippen-like Blazer move. That gamble, by the way, was extremely expensive but it worked — until a fatal fourth-quarter flameout in Los Angeles in the conference finals derailed a team that should have won a championship.
NBA, Trail Blazers | Dwight Jaynes | February 4, 2009
Dallas Mavericks, Dwight Jaynes, Jason Kidd, Portland Trail Blazers, Rick Carlisle
Dwight – you say the Pippen move was expensive but it worked, until that 4th quarter flameout….isn’t that the kind of thing he was brought in to stop? Isn’t that where his leadership should have shined through? In the end, did it really work?
I would say no, but it’s just my opinion
They wouldn’t have gotten that far without him. And I’m not sure you can hold him responsible for what happened in that one quarter — there were all kinds of things going on at one time. Some shaky lineup decisions made, too, in that quarter. But it’s an interesting point.
– Dwight
How many of the guys Portland traded for Pippen actually turned into players? That was a GREAT move for Portland. That 4th quarter was kind of a fluke– unlike most flameouts, there weren’t a lot of turnovers and most of the shots Portland got were pretty good looks, but none of them fell.
I’ve always liked Jason Kidd. The guy passed first, shot second. His shooting was always suspect, but he racked up a triple doubles like crazy.
In his prime, he was one of the best point guards in the league.
He’s old school.
So dwight we”re going to have shaq mentoring oden and playing behind him, LOL. and now we are gonna get J kidd to mentor bayless!!! dam who’s next on your list? How about we get MJ to come back again and mentor brandon roy. All this mention of mentoring is so laughable!
Dwight- do you have any thoughts about San Antonio resting Parker, Duncan and Ginobili against Denver last night (only Manu was even banged up at all)? Brilliant move for a veteran team or disrespectful of the game?
I don’t think that the 4th quarter flameout was a fluke. The Blazers just ran out of gas. They had been working so hard to double and triple Shaq (and that, for the most part, worked). And that extra work just drained them. Go back look at how many missed shots by the Blazers in the 4th quarter were off the front of the rim. Even though I am a Blazer fan, in the end, the better team won that series by outlasting us.
Uh,let’s not forget the mystery fouls on Sabas which just broke their their backs and somewhat their spirits I suspect.
Pathetic defense by Portland in the first half… again.
I think what Bayless needs more than anything is quality playing time — Ozzy
I’ll go one further, Jerryd needs to start, now. The Blazers have been getting off to slow starts in th elast few games, then Bayless comes in and lights a fire and helps them come back.
Why?
Wasn’t that supposed to be Sergio’s role, to come off the bench and “change the tempo”? Well, Sergio is being asked to set up the offense like Blake, and that’s not his game.
Also, the opposing PG is getting off to a running start against Sergio’s defense, so by the time Jerryd comes in to try to shut down penetration the other team’s offense is already in a rythm.
Better to start Bayless and give him a chance to attack, both on offense and on defense, from the oppening tip.
the blazers suck. and they suck because of there coach. plllllllllllllllllllllleaaaaaasssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee kp get rid of nate he is wasting away greg oden!!!! wake up!!!!
I mentioned here a few days ago when trade talk was in the air that Kidd would be a helpful veteran presence for the Blazers. I’m a long time Nets fan, and I can tell you that from the very first game that Kidd played for the Nets, he changed that team of youngsters. He brought them to a new level, and fast. They were in the Finals his first two years there! In his prime, he was an incredible defender when he needed to be. I watched him regularly have to be the guy who would get the hardest defensive cover on one end, and then get a triple-double anyway. Not the best shooter? So what?! He’ll find a shooter. He can run a team. He’s amazingly tough.
He’s older now, a bit slower, probably somewhat wiser. He probably shouldn’t play too many 48 minute games anymore. He’s in incredible shape for someone his age; he’s got a coupla good years left on his body.
As a fan of the Blazers (moved to town a few years back), I wish Kidd would be appearing 42 times a year in the Rose Garden. The entire team would benefit from his years of experience, his on-court smarts and his focus. This is a Hall-of-Famer who knows how to help others get better. The Blazers have the talent; it’s a great roster. A little experience might help them reach a new level.
Kidd would definitely be a great mentor for this team. The problem is that he has gotten really bad at defense the past few years… and defense is Portland’s #1 problem.
Kidd would help solve Portland’s #2 problem: never getting the ball inside to Oden. Kidd wouldn’t stand for that.