One for the Ages (and the Aged)

Sitting in front of the TV watching the final seventeen minutes of the Mavs game in Atlanta last night, I found myself cheering and chanting, "MVP! MVP!" at the screen, which is not unusual for me. What was out of character for me, however, was whom my chants were directed at; not my beloved Dirk Nowitzki, but the amazing Energizer bunny Jason Kidd, who only gets better with age. I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record here, but seriously, I can't think of another player in this league, past or present, who would have the wherewithal and presence of mind to make the kind of plays that J-Kidd does on a regular basis. And I certainly can't think of anyone else who would have seized a golden opportunity like Kidd did last night when the game was on the line.

With just under two minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Mavs trailing, 97-95, after a Mike Bibby three pointer, Jason Kidd was pushing the ball downcourt hoping for a quick score. But upon seeing Hawks' coach Mike Woodson standing in the playing field on the court while the game was in action, rather than trying to get an easy basket for a teammate, Kidd aimed directly for Woodson, colliding on court with him, which forced the officials to take action. That single split second decision by Kidd to run smack dab into Coach Woodson resulted in a stoppage of play, a technical foul against the Hawks, and a free throw for the Mavericks, which Nowitzki nailed, tying the game. Had it not been for Kidd's quick thinking, the game never would have ended in a tie, at 99 all, and moved into the extra five minute overtime period, where they dominated from start to finish, securing their sixth straight victory, 111-103.

Kidd finished the game with his 104th career triple-double, boasting 19 points, a team leading 16 rebounds and 17 assists, along with two steals. Kidd’s performance all night long was so awe inspiring and unbelievable that the team-high 37 points dropped in by Dirk Nowitzki on 15-of-26 shooting, including 2-2 from three point range and a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line, went unnoticed. Brendan Haywood had another solid performance clogging up the paint, resulting in yet another double-double, with 11 points, 11 boards, and a team high three blocks. Jason Terry added 17 points off the bench, including a few pivotal baskets down the home stretch. Shawn Marion gave the Mavericks an early boost, going a perfect 5-of-5 for 10 points in the first quarter, with all his points coming from easy shots under and around the basket. Backup point guard JJ Barea, who stands barely six feet tall, was inserted into the lineup in the fourth quarter alongside Terry and Kidd to give the Mavs a three guard lineup. Barea snagged five rebounds and dished out six assists to go along with his eight points.

Basketball is always a game of runs, but this matchup saw extremes on both ends of the spectrum. At the end of the first quarter, Dallas was ahead, 29-19; at the half, the Hawks and Mavs were tied at 50. During the third quarter, the Hawks got hot and the Mavs went ice cold, allowing Atlanta to take a 76-65 lead into the fourth frame. Early on, things weren’t looking good for the Mavericks, as with five minutes and change left, the Hawks held a 13 point lead. But then, being the veteran team that they are, and with their captain Jason Kidd at the helm, the Mavericks started chipping away at the lead. And with 1:37 left, Kidd made his most timely play of the night by sideswiping Coach Woodson, the move that ultimately led to the Mavs win in Atlanta.

Kidd was so spectacular that he nearly had a triple-double in just the final 17 minutes of the game (fourth quarter and overtime), racking up 12 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. During that time, the Mavs outshot the Hawks, 63% to 28%, and outrebounded them, 20-13, allowing them to outscore the Hawks, 46-27. The Mavericks has 13 fast break points but shot only three free throws in that span, while Atlanta was 7-of-9 from the charity stripe. Dirk was fantastic in the extra period, hitting the dagger three pointer to put the game firmly out of Atlanta’s reach.

Going to a zone defense late in the game also gave the Mavericks a huge advantage and was an excellent call by Coach Carlisle. Dallas’ defense shined once again last night, particularly in overtime, when they held Atlanta to 2-of-12 shooting. The Hawks’ first points in OT didn’t come until the 58 second mark, and even then, they only managed to score four points and secure four rebounds, while the Mavs shot 71% and doubled the Hawks’ rebound total, with eight. Brendan Haywood was also responsible for a key defensive play with just over two minutes left in OT. As Al Horford drove to the basket, quick hands by Haywood tied him up, which led to a jump ball.

When asked about the play that changed everything, the technical foul on Woodson, Kidd said, “For me, it’s just a reaction -- make something happen. It was a big play for us, it was how we took control of the game.” Praise for Kidd’s mental fortitude and ability to make such a play came from both locker rooms. Teammate Dirk Nowitzki called Kidd “the smartest basketball player I’ve ever seen.” The Hawks’ Jamal Crawford added, “Jason Kidd is a maestro.” I couldn’t agree more.

According to Dallas Mavericks’ Coach Rick Carlisle, this one was “a game for the ages.” Or in Jason Kidd’s case, a game for the aged.