Nowitzki’s explosion set a new franchise record and he finished the contest with 40 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, five blocks and two steals. He hit 12-of-22 shots from the field, 1-of-3 three-pointers and 15-of-16 shots from the free throw line. Amazingly, he didn’t record a single turnover in the game.

Jason Kidd was Nowitzki’s main partner in crime, finishing with 19 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals. The Jazz were led by Deron Williams, who had 22 points, five assists and five rebounds. Mehmet Okur chipped in with 14 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks.

With the win, the Mavs are now 3-1 on the season. After losing the season’s first game, Dallas has now put three impressive wins in a row. The Jazz, on the other hand, fell to 1-3 with the loss.

Dirk Nowitzki just went off in the fourth quarter (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Dirk Nowitzki Explodes in Fourth Quarter

Earlier in the offseason, Kidd was supposedly interested in joining the New York Knicks. However, the Mavs were able to offer more money and that seemed to turn the tables in the negotiations.

Last season, Kidd was extremely impressive as the Mavs made it to the second round of the playoffs. During the regular season, he averaged 9.0 points, 8.7 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 2.0 steals. Perhaps most impressive is the fact that he set a career-high in three-point percentage at 40.6%.

Even though he’s 36 years old, Kidd is still one of the better point guards in the league. If the Mavs are to win a championship, he’d play a hugely important role.

Jason Kidd - Dallas Mavericks (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Jason Kidd Officially Returns to Mavs

When the Mavs traveled to New Jersey recently, they got a first hand look at Harris and the Nets. By the time the game was over, the Mavs wished they could be anywhere but New Jersey. Harris had scored 41 points and dished out 13 assists as the Nets embarrassed the Mavs. Kidd played solidly but there’s no question these days that Harris is the better player.

Nets fans, to show their holiday spirit, warmly thanked Mavs owner Mark Cuban for allowing Harris to be a part of their team. As you can hear in the video below, the Nets fans are chanting “Thank You, Cuban” in reference to the Kidd for Harris trade.

When Harris was with the Mavs, they made the NBA finals. This season, the Mavs may not even make the playoffs. With that in mind, I’m sure there are plenty of teams in the Western Conference who would like to join Nets fans in thanking Cuban.

Here is the Thank You, Cuban video in reference to Devin Harris:

Post from: EveryJoe

Thank You, Cuban – Video – Devin Harris

Although these allegations are serious, I have to side with Cuban. I don’t think he’s capable of making a good trade — which is what insider trading generally means. I mean, this is the same owner who approved a trade for Jason Kidd.

In case you haven’t been watching, Kidd has been just good enough to lead the Mavericks down the cellar. While Kidd hasn’t been horrible, the Mavs miss the play of the young point guard they traded away — Devin Harris.

With only three wins if their first ten games of the season, the Mavericks are going nowhere fast. If this team were owned by a billionaire who knows how to make crafty trades by bending the rules, they wouldn’t be in this predicament.

Mark Cuban is Innocent!

Post from: EveryJoe

Mark Cuban is Innocent of Insider Trading

• More drama for the owners and the Seattle Sonics’ fans. (Deadspin)
• Jason Kidd to the Cavaliers? I think NO! (Slam Dunk Central)
• Included because the post mentions Lebron James in a dream. I had a dream about him once. Not G-rated so we will move on. (Epic Carnival)
• Imagine: Kobe in LA, Lebron in NY and D-Wade in Chi-Town. The NBA wouldn’t know what to do with all this happiness. (Sporting News)
• Must tell friend her hometown of Erie, PA gets a D-League team. I’m sure she’ll care. (The Biz of Basketball)
• The anticipation of having the #1 pick. What to do? What to do? (Bulls Home)
• MJ likes cigars. So much, he won’t take one out while playing softball (Busted Coverage)

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Yes The Playoffs Are Happening, But What Else Is Going On?

Now, some unanswered questions. Firstly, why didn’t you believe me? And were these blinks choreographed? Was there some sort of blinking coach on set, yelling “Blink,” at designated intervals? If these blinks weren’t scripted, then is there some sort of natural blink response during pauses?

The rest of the ads in the series feature more creepy synchronized blinking. Also, be on the look out for the amalgamated word “Bordan” in the LeBron/KG commercial.

Post from: EveryJoe

NBA Ads *Synchronized Blink* Haunt My Dreams *Synchronized Blink*

Post from: EveryJoe

Jason Kidd Traded To Mavericks, Redux, Starring Keith Van Horn

Yesterday, we all thought that Jason Kidd was heading to the Dallas Mavericks for Devin Harris and Jerry Stackhouse. Also, apparently Devean George was in the deal. Devean George does not want to go to New Jersey. Thusly, the trade is now on hold. Now I don’t know what to believe.

George was supposed to be among the players headed to the New Jersey Nets in the megatrade, but he blocked it by not wanting to give up his “early Bird rights,” a provision earned by being in his second year and on his second contract with the Mavericks.

“We’re not trying to hold things up or be difficult, but just like teams make tough decisions all the time — about cutting players or making trades — they do what’s best for their team, and it’s my obligation to do what’s best for Devean,” his agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Wednesday night.

“We don’t feel like it makes sense at this time. He’s starting right now and things are going pretty good.”

Firstly, I wholeheartedly object to this being called a megatrade, foxsports. Secondly, Isiah Thomas said that if Devean George’s Bird rights were black, they’d just be another contractual right.

Photo credit (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Post from: EveryJoe

Devean George Will Not Go To New Jersey If He Can Help It

First Shaq, now Jason Kidd. More GMs continue to make trades for players who were really good eight years ago and are still pretty good but not quite as good as they were eight years ago, which is probably the player that the GMs think they’re getting. Anyways, Jason Kidd is back in Dallas, which probably means that Toni Braxton is going to make a come back and that the Western Conference is still the Spurs to lose, because the Western Conference is always the Spurs to lose. Also, the Nets still are not very good.

Post from: EveryJoe

More Big Trades from the Year 2000