As a longtime teammate of Jason Kidd, both now in Dallas and previously in Phoenix, Shawn Marion has had ample opportunity to observe the veteran point guard’s game.

Marion recently told Hoops World that there’s not a player in the game quite like J-Kidd:

"Jason Kidd is a master of the game," Marion said. "He’s the definition of a point guard. He doesn’t hold it too long, he play both ends of the floor, and he may not be able to shut down people for the full time of the game like he used to, but he comes out in that last three minutes or so and he’s going to lock up."

"I played with him

[Marion’s first two years in Phoenix] when he’d pressure you full court, and then get right back the other way full court. He can’t do that anymore, but at the same time he’s learned how to be so dynamic and so creative on the floor that he knows when it’s his chance to do certain things and he takes advantage of it to the fullest. People should really look at how he’s an all-around point guard. He plays both ends of the floor, he can post up, he can shoot the three, he can come off pick-and-rolls, and he’s one of the best transition point guards in the league – still, right now."

J-Kidd showed off his textbook point guard play once again on Tuesday night as he netted eight points, eight assists, six rebounds and two steals to lead his Mavs to an 84-81 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

With No. 2 scoring the early buckets (he had five points in the first) and then spreading the ball around, finding the teammates who had the hot hand, the Mavs kept pace with Portland early. The Blazers scored 24 points in the first while shooting over 50 percent from the field, but the Mavs surged to finish the opening quarter with the game knotted at 24.

Those 24 points by Portland were the most Dallas would allow in a single quarter for the game. The Dallas defense buckled down and didn’t allow Portland to score more than 21 in a frame the rest of the way.

The defense was especially strong in the second and third quarters. Portland shot just 6-of-19 from the field in the second and was held under 40 percent from the field again in the third. According to Mavs’ coach Rick Carlisle, getting back that tough defensive mindset is exactly what is required for the injury depleted Mavs to continue to win:

"The one thing we can do now is get better as a team defensively, and we played a real gritty game," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "That’s what we’re going to have to do."

With the defense holding the Blazers at bay, No. 2 drained a triple late in the second quarter and the Mavs took a 38-33 lead. They would go into the locker room up three, 43-40.

The third quarter was a back and forth affair, but each time it looked like the Mavs might fall behind, Jason found the open man to deliver the goods.

When Portland had pulled to within one point, No. 2 found Jason Terry for a short jumper along the baseline to extend the lead to three. After Portland went on a brief run to build a lead of three, J-Kidd found DeShawn Stevenson, who hit a trey in the corner to tie the game up at 54. Jason found Stevenson for three again with just over two minutes remaining in the third to give the Mavs a 59-56 lead.

Michael Dugat and Mike Fisher of Dallas Basketball were impressed by the point guard’s play on Tuesday night.

"Kidd is a creator, a floor general, and in these areas he has maintained a high level of effectiveness."

In the final period, the Trail Blazers threatened and went on an early 17-10 run to briefly take the lead. But the Mavs’ defense once again survived the surge and in the last four minutes of the game, Dallas went on a 12-4 run to seize the victory.

NEXT UP
No. 2 and the Mavs face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday in the third matchup of the season between the playoff contenders.

Thus far this season Jason is averaging 11 points, nine assists, six rebounds and three steals oer game against the Thunder. Dallas is currently 2-0 against the OKC this year.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST and the game will be televised nationally on TNT.

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