Dallas Mavericks’ point guard Jason Kidd vying for a title before time runs out
Just about a week ago, the perennial playoff chokers, Dallas Mavericks stormed into the Western Conference finals by sweeping the two times defending champions, the Los Angeles Lakers. In doing so, the third seeded Western Conference
team in the regular season booked a date with the Oklahoma City Thunder best-of-seven final series, starting from Tuesday.
One man, who has been pivotal in the Mavs resounding drive off late, has been their veteran point guard, Jason Kidd. Kidd was simply phenomenal in the semifinal series against the Lakers and he was the main reason, Kobe Bryant
was unable to find his groove throughout. Now, it is a golden chance for the old war horse, to add, perhaps the only thing missing from his illustrious resume – the NBA Championship title.
And the 38-year-old guard is working hard to make the most of it. Kidd said, “That is what you play the game for, to be a champion,” “It is a hard climb, and you are never promised to get there. If you do, you have got to treasure
it and do everything you can to win.”
Kidd has already made it to the NBA Finals twice in his career, once in 2002 and then in 2003, while playing for the New Jersey Nets. However, on both the occasions, the Nets were swept away. Much time has passed since then and
finally there is another chance knocking at the door.
And it is the best possible chance. The Mavs are the only team left in the playoffs that has a bevy of players, who have been through this phase before. They are experienced, fully equipped at each position and rearing to have
a go. If the Mavs do win, Kidd would become the oldest starting point guard on a title team.
The most immediate hurdle in their path are the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, the Dallas outfit is in a perfect position to come out of the West as champions. They have the home court advantage, players with athletic abilities,
and a wealth of experience over the Thunder.
For Kidd, the job will get a little different now, as instead of hounding a veteran, Kobe, he will now have to tackle a young and more athletic opponent in the shape of Russell Westbrook.
The experienced Kidd admitted that chasing the Thunder All-Star is not an easy task and said, "No matter what age you are, you have to make the right play at the right time, and Westbrook can do that," "They would not be still
playing if they could not Whoever is guarding them is going to have a challenge."
However, with his great defending ability, Kidd limited the leading scorer of the Lakers to only 17 points in the crucial third and fourth games of the series and if he can tackle a player of Kobe’s shooting abilities, Westbrook
should be easy.
The biggest thing that would be working for Dallas in the finals is that they are the veterans. The Mavs are the third oldest team of the NBA and the Oklahoma City, on the other hand, is the third youngest team of the league. Therefore,
it would be a battle of experience vs. youth with both teams has reason to believe they can win.
Kidd is quite hopeful about the finals as he said, "The game of basketball is all about rhythm and pace," "Right now, we're in a rhythm and hopefully we can continue that in the next series."
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