Why Jason Kidd Will Bring the NBA Title to Dallas

While the rest of the Western Conference frantically went after big men to combat the new addition to the Lakers, Pau Gasol, the Dallas Mavericks went in the opposite direction by trading for a point guard that once shined in the Dallas limelight.  The Mavericks traded point guard Devin Harris, forwards Maurice Ager and Trenton Hassell, and center DeSagana Diop, along with the previously retired Keith Van Horn in exchange for Kidd and forwards Antoine Wright and Malik Allen.   

The Mavs are 4-2 since Kidd joined the team, but we really have only begun to see the impact he will have with a team who was already contending for the championship.

What Kidd does on the floor has been well documented.  He's a triple double threat every night, and if he doesn't get it, its more than likely because he didn't score 10 points, then that he didn't snag 10 boards or dish out the assists.  With this Dallas team, everything he does well will be magnified because he fills such a need for them. 

Dallas was stunned in the first round of the playoffs last year by the surprising Golden State Warriors for one big reason:  Golden State ran the floor and got easy baskets, while Dallas struggled with their half-court offense.  Dirk Nowitzki was bothered by the smaller Stephen Jackson and couldn't create his own shot like he wants to.  With Kidd, the offense will run through Dirk much less and you will see much more movement and good looks.

What Jason Kidd gives them, is the ability to run the floor without changing their philosophy.  Kidd is the best in the league at throwing a bounce pass from one end of the floor to the other for a layup. Jason Terry is one of the fastest players in the league and will benifit greatly from this.  Dallas will be able to get easy baskets without having to think about running the floor every time they touch the ball like Phoenix does (or did, before the Shaq trade).

Kidd also impacts the game on the other side of the floor. In that series against Golden State last year, the Mavericks gave up over 105 points per game.  When you take in to account all the easy scoring Kidd creates, that alone will make the Mavericks a more focused defensive team.  In fact, Kidd has been named to one of the NBAs all-defensive teams nine times in his 13 year career.

For those of you who believe the hyperbole about Dirk Nowitzki being a poor playoff performer, try and remember his 2006 playoff run.  He was the best player in the league in a lot of people's eyes before the Mavericks blew a 2-0 lead against Miami in the finals. If that doesn't convince you, the fact that he steps up his averages in just about every statistical category in the postseason should.