What Jason Kidd does on a basketball court never has been in dispute. The big shots. The astounding defense. The how-in-blazes-did-he-do-that passes. The triple doubles.
But just as impressive is what Kidd does for those around him. Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle saw it first hand in Dallas, and he sees it now with Kidd on the Knicks.
"Kidd has got them very highly focused. I definitely see a difference with the resolve of their guys with the look in their eye and he has that effect on teams," Carlisle said before the Knicks' 104-94 victory over the Mavericks Friday night at the Garden. "[He's] getting his number retired in two different buildings in all likelihood. The level of accomplishment of Kidd is one of the most storied careers that has ever been, if you think about it."
Carlisle and the Mavericks saw it again last night, even if it were only a small sample. Kidd played just 15:28 — but he made the most of the time — as the Knicks moved to 4-0. The win was nice — and the fact it came against it old team didn't hurt, though Kidd refused to gloat.
"No matter who the opponent was, we needed to go out and get a win to keep the momentum going," said Kidd, who had six points and three assists while contributing to the Knicks often infuriating defense that forced 20 turnovers. "We were a little flat to start the game. ... The start of the third quarter, we got stops and made baskets to put the game in our favor."
And it stayed that way.
Stopping the Knicks, Carlisle had explained, meant in large part, stopping Kidd who helped direct Carlisle's Mavericks to the 2011 NBA championship.
"They are strong in all areas," Carlisle said. "It's clear to me from watching three games on film that Jason Kidd has had a great influence on their overall toughness, awareness as a team and just how they do things. It's not surprising.
If you're talking about guys in the history of this league that affect winning, in unique ways, he's the best I've ever seen. He does it in so many different ways. He does it by helping out defensively. He does it by doing things in a timely way offensively, and he does it with a resourcefulness and creativity, the likes of which I've never seen."
Kidd does it not just by lifting his game but by getting other's game to approach his level. So Carlisle knew exactly what he was in for Friday night. Plus. Carlisle was facing another member of his Dallas title team – Tyson Chandler.
"These guys will always be Mavericks royalty to me," said Carlisle, who once played for the Knicks. "I've got a high level of respect for Kidd and Chandler and always will. We played against Tyson twice last year, so it's not like this is the first time.
"But Kidd's in a great situation here. I'm very happy for him. He's close to home and all that kind of stuff. He certainly earned the right to do that. I wish him all the best. You're talking about a guy who was instrumental in putting a ring on all of our fingers."
fred.kerber@nypost.com
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