It's an offer the Mavs can't refuse

[your_dallas_mavericks]

It's an offer the Mavs can't refuse

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There are cons to Kidd deal, to be sure, but he gets them closer to title

12:27 AM CST on Thursday, February 14, 2008

Go ahead and get it out of your system.

Accuse the Mavericks of pushing the panic button. Lament the potential loss of a young, quick point guard in Devin Harris. Shake your head over why the team would want to tie its fortunes to a player who will turn 35 before the playoffs start.

Once you work through these emotions and discard your disbelief over how Devean George could throw a wrench into the proceedings, maybe then you can admit what you already know.

This is a move the Mavericks must make to give themselves a chance at the championship this season.

Until Jason Kidd is back in the uniform he wore to begin his career, no one can say this deal will happen. Talks broke down Wednesday over George's refusal to go to New Jersey. But it's hard to imagine the Mavericks and Nets have come this far to let George gum up the works. So let's get back to the core of this proposed deal.

When it comes to losing Harris, I feel your pain. Few people were on board with turning the point guard duties over to him.

I was. He's not the classic point in the mold of Chris Paul or Deron Williams, but he's fast, a superior defender and has shown significant improvement every year he's been in the league. He may never be an All-Star, but he will give those All-Star point guards fits over the course of his career.

Ask San Antonio's Tony Parker what he thinks of having to play against Harris.

All of that being said, here is something no one has paid enough attention to this season. When Mavericks coach Avery Johnson yanked the play-calling duties away from Harris 20 games into the season, he was saying he didn't trust Harris to run this team. He was saying Harris wasn't ready.

How far can a team go in the playoffs when the point guard isn't allowed to run the offense? How can Harris, or any other Mavericks player, develop the oncourt leadership Johnson craves if he calls plays from the bench?

This isn't college. That split-second of hesitation or indecision by the players can make a big difference in the final, frantic seconds of a close game.

Remember, the draft-night trade that landed Harris in Dallas came before Johnson joined the coaching staff. While Johnson has grown to admire Harris' development and promise, he has never really been an Avery guy. He doesn't fit the profile of what Johnson wants in a point guard.

Kidd does. He's tough. He knows who should get the ball and when. He's at his best late in games. Whom can you say that about on this Mavericks roster?

Dirk Nowitzki delivers in the clutch more than critics admit. But he doesn't have a lot of help. Josh Howard is great early, but his focus often shifts to the defensive end as the game wears on. How many big shots has he hit in the fourth quarter?

Jason Terry will hit big shots. But on the nights his shot is off, he doesn't give you much else. Jerry Stackhouse will fight to the end, but like Terry, his shot is erratic.

Kidd makes plays at the end of games. He imposes his will on the outcome. That is what Miami's Dwyane Wade did to the Mavericks in The Finals. That is what Golden State's Baron Davis did to them in the first round last season.

Now take a quick look at the Western Conference landscape.

San Antonio has Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.

Phoenix has Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Shaquille O'Neal.

The LA Lakers have Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.

If the Mavericks don't complete a deal for Kidd, do they have a threesome that can match what the Spurs, Suns and Lakers put on the floor?

No.

Anyone who has watched this team this season has gotten the sense that something is not quite right. Now we have confirmation that Johnson and the Mavericks front office agree.

Jason Kidd isn't on his way to Dallas just yet.

But at this point, how can the Mavericks not bring him back?

[your_dallas_mavericks]

All of that being said, here is something no one has paid enough attention to this season. When Mavericks coach Avery Johnson yanked the play-calling duties away from Harris 20 games into the season, he was saying he didn't trust Harris to run this team. He was saying Harris wasn't ready.

How far can a team go in the playoffs when the point guard isn't allowed to run the offense? How can Harris, or any other Mavericks player, develop the oncourt leadership Johnson craves if he calls plays from the bench?

This is undeniable proof that Avery did not trust Harris in his role to call offensive plays and run the team.

Kidd makes plays at the end of games. He imposes his will on the outcome. That is what Miami's Dwyane Wade did to the Mavericks in The Finals. That is what Golden State's Baron Davis did to them in the first round last season.

Kidd is the antidote to all our playoff woes. I will believe it when I see it. But, as a Mavs fan I will hope and cheer for it.

Now take a quick look at the Western Conference landscape.

San Antonio has Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.

Phoenix has Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Shaquille O'Neal.

The LA Lakers have Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.

If the Mavericks don't complete a deal for Kidd, do they have a threesome that can match what the Spurs, Suns and Lakers put on the floor?

No.

That's your opinion. I feel we are much thinner at Center with Kidd on our team. Diop and Harris stopped Duncan and Parker respectively. Amare and Shaq requires two big men not named Dirk on the floor to combat them. At least the Fakers lineup seems easy to combat with or without the trade - even with Bynum in the lineup.

Who would we have?

The Mavericks would have Kidd, Terry, Howard, and Nowitzki

Yes, that would make four, not three.

Anyone who has watched this team this season has gotten the sense that something is not quite right. Now we have confirmation that Johnson and the Mavericks front office agree.

I love it when I am right. Many of you will come to know this about me. I called this a day or so ago before this article was even written. The front office knew what was happening. They are dealing with it by shipping Harris out for Kidd potentially. Sorry JES12 and SaintofKillers, Speed Racer Harris is not the answer. They've known it for a while, they just wanted to broker the best deal possible.

[Craig McDermott]

- Amare and Shaq requires two big men not named Dirk on the floor to combat them. At least the Fakers lineup seems easy to combat with or without the trade - even with Bynum in the lineup.

You're in for a not-so-pleasant surprise re: Bynum.

[JD45]

All the media is focused on Jason Kidd, Hall of Famer. If Kidd had worn a different jersey with a different name on the back this year, no one would want to pay him his contract. He gets assists and rebounds, but he in an inefficient scorer who doesn't get to the line and is no longer a solid defender of PGs.

Kidd is not as good as Harris. The only way I see this working out is that Kidd may be better able to play alongside Terry. So if he can improve Terry enough to offset the other problems, the Mavs might break even on the trade.

But probably not. And more than likely this ends it for the Mavs and puts them in rebuilding.

[dirkforpres]

Kidd is a player who can give you a triple double any night. Harris is one of the best young talents in the game. For short term, this trade helps the Mavs... But in a few years, Devin is gonna be insane. If we do go on to win a championship this year, there will be a lot of the Kidd haters having to eat their words... I hope it works out that way.

[DDansby123]

Kidd is not as good as Harris.

I've said this time and time again (because it's true): it doesn't matter a lick which player is "better" as a player. It's about which is better for OUR TEAM.

The only way I see this working out is that Kidd may be better able to play alongside Terry. So if he can improve Terry enough to offset the other problems, the Mavs might break even on the trade.

Why just Terry? Why not Kidd making Josh and Dirk better??? That's not only more likely than Kidd making Terry better, but it's more important to our success. And it's certainly something that Kidd will do better than Harris.

[your_dallas_mavericks]

What people don't realize is Devin will only reach his insane level of potential in the talent-starved East. There is no way he could ever do it out West and no way he could ever do it on the Mavs with long-term Terry on the squad and 'Uncle' Avery looking over his shoulder. Devin needs a fresh start in order to become who is meant to become. I wish him all the luck in the world, except against us LOL!

[DDansby123]

What people don't realize is Devin will only reach his insane level of potential in the talent-starved East. There is no way he could ever do it out West and no way he could ever do it on the Mavs with long-term Terry on the squad and 'Uncle' Avery looking over his shoulder. Devin needs a fresh start in order to become who is meant to become. I wish him all the luck in the world, except against us LOL!

He certainly needs to be allowed freedom to reach that potential. As I've said, if he becomes a scorer first and foremost, he'll improve by leaps and bounds. That wasn't going to happen here by all accounts. If he has to play a role similar to what he played in Dallas, he'll have minimal incremental improvements (a la Tony Parker). FYI, I don't think Harris is as good as Parker, and I don't think Parker wins us a championship.

Frankly, though, I really don't care what Harris does somewhere else. I care about what Kidd does here.

[DDansby123]

And this article further reinforces my belief that DAVID MOORE is the best basketball writer/mind in Dallas.

[JES12]

And this article further reinforces my belief that DAVID MOORE is the best basketball writer/mind in Dallas.

DDansby123 = David Moore

[DDansby123]

-= original quote snipped =-
DDansby123 = David Moore

We are of like mind on a lot of issues, but I'm much better looking.

[JES12]

I'm sure his middle name is Dan

[Pointguard01]

Kidd is a player who can give you a triple double any night. Harris is one of the best young talents in the game. For short term, this trade helps the Mavs... But in a few years, Devin is gonna be insane. If we do go on to win a championship this year, there will be a lot of the Kidd haters having to eat their words... I hope it works out that way.

And if we dont, the consequence is even worse. Our future looks dull.

[JES12]

DDansby123 = David Moore

And JES12 = Dale Hansen

[your_dallas_mavericks]

DDansby123 = David Moore
And JES12 = Dale Hansen

Your Dallas Mavericks = Dan Patrick LOL!

[Darren]

It's an offer we should turn down quick. What we're considering is no more than gambling. Devin Harris is not a superstar. Nor is Kidd. We lose all our flexibility to rebound even if our playoff sucks again.

It's more about taking bad shots by players like Jerry Stackhouse, Josh Howard, Jason Terry, and somehow Dirk Nowitzki and Brandon Bass. We're counting too much on jumpers and small ball. The gambling mentality hurts more than anything.

[Teffer10]

It's an offer we should turn down quick. What we're considering is no more than gambling. Devin Harris is not a superstar. Nor is Kidd. We lose all our flexibility to rebound even if our playoff sucks again.

It's more about taking bad shots by players like Jerry Stackhouse, Josh Howard, Jason Terry, and somehow Dirk Nowitzki and Brandon Bass. We're counting too much on jumpers and small ball. The gambling mentality hurts more than anything.

You make a good point Darren but those jumpers will be more successful when Dirk and Terry don't have to work so damn hard for them. That will be Kidd's greatest attribute for the team... working for everyone else's shots.

[JES12]

You make a good point Darren but those jumpers will be more successful when Dirk and Terry don't have to work so damn hard for them. That will be Kidd's greatest attribute. for the team.

And Harris'

28-11 with him (59 win pace)
7-7 without him (41 win pace)

Harris helps open everyone else up.

And everything Darren said can be fixed with good coaching and I don't know if Avery could fix it or if Cuban should think about firing him.

[DDansby123]

-= original quote snipped =-

And Harris'

Are you now arguing that Harris' ability to create shots for his teammates is on par with Kidd's?

[your_dallas_mavericks]

Are you now arguing that Harris' ability to create shots for his teammates is on par with Kidd's?

He may not answer but I will. Kidd is a creator pure and simple. Harris is not necessarily.