NEW YORK — Jason Kidd won’t play for the Dallas Mavericks today against the Knicks because of “personal reasons.”
“We knew it was a possibility,” Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said before the game. “You lose a guy like that, it’s gonna change the way you play.”
The 36-year-old Kidd has started all 43 games for Dallas this season, averaging 8.8 points and 9.2 assists.
The Knicks made a run at Kidd during the offseason but could only offer him $18 over three years, while Dallas countered with $25 million over three years.
“We made a heck of a run at him,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters Saturday, according to the Daily News. “He would have been good without a doubt.”
Jose Juan Barea will start in Kidd’s place.
“I know how valuable [a great point guard] is anyway,” D’Antoni said. “I had Steve Nash for a while. J’s a great player. Barea is also very good. He’s more of a shooter-scorer, where Jason sets everyone up more and is more of a physical presence.”
Mavs center Erick Dampier (knee) is also out, as is Knicks guard Nate Robinson (hamstring).
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D’Antoni says center David Lee deserves to make the All-Star Game as a reserve.
“Without a doubt, without question,” D’Antoni said of Lee, averaging 19.4 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists. “He’s played as well as anybody. His game is getting better all the time. He’s not only a scorer. He’s a play-maker. His assists are way up. He’s added the outside shot and he’s added the play-making abilities. He’s more of a complete player. The only thing that’s hurting him is we’re not winning enough.”
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Knicks forward Al Harrington said he was going to attend Saturday night’s St. Patrick-St. Benedict’s game in Elizabeth, N.J. The Gray Bees downed the Celtics, Harrington’s alma mater, 65-64 in a thriller.
“I might have to go play for them,” Harrington joked.
(Photo courtesy AP)
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