Jason Kidd = Bruce Bowen (Well, for the Mavs anyway)

by Big50 on Jun 16, 2011 4:00 PM CDT in Analysis

I can't believe it took me this long to realize this, but I think I know why the Mavericks won the 'chip this year, well one big reason anyway. I was thinking back to when Jason Kidd re-signed with the Mavs and how all the Mavs fans were excited about it. I kept raining on their parade telling them that Kidd was washed up and had nothing substantial to contribute. Over at Lonestarball.com (the SBN affiliate for the Texas Rangers, my favorite baseball team that is located in the Dallas area) I received repeated verbal lashings for my point of view.

As it turns out, I was both right and wrong. Offensively, Kidd has two abilities left: 1. Passing, 2. The three ball. I tend to think that Kidd isn't as good of a passer as he used to be, but it's not because he can't do it, it's because he's not in position to make great passes anymore. He's slowed down enough to where he's not a threat to drive the ball and so his passing, while still good, isn't a great weapon any more. As he proved in the finals he can hit the open 3-pointer. So what is my point? I'm glad you asked....

Many people are giving Tyson Chandler much of the credit for the Mavs improved defense. I believe he deserves a portion of it, but in my mind the real difference maker was Kidd. When the announcer says, accurately in my opinion, "The Mavs need to get Kidd back on the floor because nobody else can guard Dwayne Wade." it's clear that Kidd is doing something nobody else could do for the Mavs. Kidd became that perimeter defender that the Mavs have never really had. He was what Bruce Bowen was for the Spurs. It didn't just start in the Finals either, it was kids defense on the Thunder's Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook that really helped Dallas shut that duo down. He even harassed Kobe Bryant enough in the 2nd round to help the Mavs defense shut down the Lakers.

via images.mylot.com

Remember these days? *Sigh*

All of his play made me think of what Bowen had done for the Spurs. It wasn't athleticism or speed that made Bowen good, he didn't have an abundance of either. However, it was good positioning, quick hands and having an high BBIQ that really made Bowen what he was. Clearly, a good corner three was the icing on the cake. Just like Bowen, Kidd has become the perimeter defender who can hit the open three. An extremely valuable asset to any team looking to win a 'chip.

Of all the holes on the Spurs roster, and there are a few, to me the one most glaring is that shut down defender. We simply do not have that guy. I would hope that Danny Green or Da`Sean Butler could be that guy, but let's face it they are way to young to have all those tricks up their sleeve. Don't forget, the Mavs got Corey Brewer to help with their defense. I don't think he even played in the Finals. Having the experience and ability to apply it is more important that being able to jump high and run fast. I'm holding out hope that the Spurs can find their new Bowen either on the roster or via free agency. That is simply a role that needs to be filled in order for a team to have a chance.

Poll

Do the Spurs need to get a "lock down" perimeter defender?

Yes, it's a must

274 votes

It would help, but it's not the biggest need

109 votes

No, we've got enough.

11 votes

394 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

What I think matters most about Kidd is neither his passing or his shooting; it’s his understanding of the game, his “basketball IQ.” Some players have this, some don’t. Manu Ginobilli has it. Magic Johnson, Larry Bird. These guys see the floor and anticipate things more intuitively than everybody else. That does not disappear when your physical skills begin to erode. Kidd manages the game, like a great catcher manages and guides his pitcher and outfielders.

There is nobody on the Heat with that kind of vision. Just think how impressive a Lebron James might be if he understood THE GAME like Jason Kidd. This is why I think the idea that James is the greatest basketball player ever is silly, at least at this point. There is no doubt that James is the far better athlete when you compare him to a Jason Kidd. Even in his physical prime, Kidd could not have matched James’s incredible talent. Nobody can touch Lebron as an athlete. But as far as I’m concerned, thirty-eight year old Jason Kidd is still a better basketball player than Lebron James.

In her last few years, Billie Holiday had lost most of her vocal ability—her vocal cords were shot. But even in her frail condition, she could still sing jazz unlike anyone else, then or ever. Take some opera singer, I don’t know, Maria Callas or somebody like that. Callas could sing with far more power than Holiday could dream of achieving. But she couldn’t sing jazz. Not like that, anyway.

All these GIFs are breaking my browser.

by quincyscott on Jun 16, 2011 5:24 PM CDT reply actions

The lebron comparison with kidd it’s a little unfair because lebron is a 26 small forward
Of course everybody is going to look like a padawan agains the jedi master jason kidd

The Top 5 players of this era (my opinion Howard, chris paul, durant, wade, lebron) are nowhere near of the basketball knowledge of jason kidd, except maybe for chris paul and he is a point guard

“That does not disappear when your physical skills begin to erode” maybe lebron know this and thats why he desperately go for help at 26 years old, because his superatletic condition is not going to exist at 32-33 years old

by cuentaluis1 on Jun 17, 2011 12:57 AM CDT up reply actions

I know, I’m kind of an unfair person. And I’m really not trying to pile on Lebron, just comparing.

All these GIFs are breaking my browser.

by quincyscott on Jun 17, 2011 9:44 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

And Big50, I’m in total agreement on how irreplaceable Bowen was. The two former Spurs we have not found replacements for: Bruce Bowen, and Robert Horry. The longer we have had to do without them, the more impressive they have become to me, and I was a big fan of both of them to begin with.

Horry was great everywhere he played, and I am sure he will have many accolades in all three of his championship cities. But Bruce was at his best as a Spur. A three time champ, with what Pat Riley once called his set of teachable skills. I would love to see that number 12 jersey hanging from the rafters some day.

All these GIFs are breaking my browser.

by quincyscott on Jun 16, 2011 5:31 PM CDT reply actions

Kidd stopped Lebron in the 4th qtr. Kidd and Marion switched in the 4th qtr with Kidd on Lebron and Marion on Wade. Kidd stopped Lebron by having good hands and Lebron having no halfcourt moves (dribble penetration off pick and roll, post up moves, 3 pt shot).

Bowen was given up 2 or 3 years to early in my opinion. The Spurs should have resigned him when the Bucks released him. He still played good D and made the corner 3. Popovich had a personal problem with him.

The Spurs desperately need a Bowen replacement. The #1 option for them, in my opinion, is to sign 38 yr old Grant Hill to a 2 yr deal. He’s the perfect fit. A team player, equipped with the BB IQ of Kidd, has the legs of a 34 yr old due to missing yrs of injury, can make the corner 3, and most importantly can guard 3 positions including guard point guards like when he slowed down Parker with the Suns in the playoffs.

Grant Hill has lower financial expectations than a Shane Battier, Tayshun Prince, or Andrei Kirilenko.

by lvmainman on Jun 16, 2011 6:16 PM CDT reply actions

Hill’s also said that he’ll retire unless the Suns bring him back. I don’t blame him, seeing how that medical staff was the only one that could get him healthy long enough to have a meaningful impact on his team.

Time to build a new dynasty from the ashes of the old one.

by Tim C. on Jun 16, 2011 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I think the Spurs might be one of the only franchises, if not THE only one, that Grant Hill might consider to be a good fit for him besides the Suns. I personally think an older-than-dirt Hill would be a great addition and a better mentor at SF for the youngsters than RJ.

If we could get Battier, we’d be stupid to pass him up. Kirilenko would be nice but only if we could get him for peanuts. As for Prince, I’ve never understood why his name keeps coming up. Please keep him away!

"I know everthang they is to know about the shrimpin bidness."

by SleepCrack on Jun 16, 2011 7:47 PM CDT up reply actions

The only lockdown perimeter I can think of right now is Tony Allen

If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
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by doubleteapot on Jun 16, 2011 8:41 PM CDT reply actions

Trevor Ariza?? He has a contract like RJ (not the same but…)

by cuentaluis1 on Jun 17, 2011 1:35 AM CDT reply actions

“Many people are giving Tyson Chandler much of the credit for the Mavs improved defense”
Actually there are 3 players
>Jason kidd: guarding players like westbrook, kobe and wade, you cant expect that JJ barea (Barney Rubble) or terry do that
>Shawn marion guarding players like durant and lebron
>Tyson Chandler … which help them with the zone defense (the reason why the people talk about chandler this is his first season with the mavs) and its an excellent player instead of Erick dampier or Brendan haywood
If you ask me I would very happy with a player like chandler playing for the spurs

by cuentaluis1 on Jun 17, 2011 1:48 AM CDT reply actions

Chandler is the main difference between this year’s Mavs (NBA Champ) and last year’s (first round exit). He deserves a heck of a lot of that credit. Having that defensive presence changes everything. I see no reason why the Spurs can’t make a similar transformation with the addition of one or two players at the right spots.

All these GIFs are breaking my browser.

by quincyscott on Jun 17, 2011 9:50 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Butler and Green are to young. It takes years and years of knocks.

by indiancharlie on Jun 17, 2011 5:59 AM CDT reply actions

I tend to agree with a lot of the comments here about how the Mavs improved since last year….and oh what a difference one year can make…..BUT (You knew there was gonna be a BUT….didn’t you?)……IMO….the Heat beat themselves more than the Mavs did. All they did was run their mouths (instead of their offense)….and we ALL know what ‘s gonna happen when you do that….you’re setting yourself up to FAIL when you run your mouth!! Also, I noticed that the Heat were out of shape, particularly in the 4th quarter, they really seem to be laboring….where the Mavs just kept pouring it on. NOTE: Lesson to all NBA hopefuls….you can’t just show up (no matter HOW good you are…or you think you are)…you have to prepare, you have to be in top condition physically, and MOST important….you have to do your talking on the court…stay hungry & humble….stay away from any kind of conceit or arrogance!! With that being said, the Mavs still deserved the trophy….Mark Cuban DOESN’T though….he’s a prick!!

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If you had to be perfect to do what we do, then nobody would be doing it. On the other hand, if everyone could do what we do.....then everyone would be doing it.

by titansfan4ever on Jun 17, 2011 11:54 AM CDT reply actions

Though the Mavs didn’t beat the Lakers because of Miami beating themselves. While Chandler may deserve a good deal of credit, he almost wound up with the Thunder a while back except for failing a physical, and was nearly traded to the Raptors prior to the deal with the Mavs for very little in return. It seems the Mavs had some luck to get him, and additional luck that he stayed healthy. I wonder if the Trailblazers might go after him to take Greg Oden’s spot, only to have him have a career ending injury.

by Alamo on Jun 17, 2011 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions