Jason Kidd NBA Finals Open Thread: Dallas at Miami, Game 1

by Avinash Kunnath on May 31, 2011 5:30 PM PDT in Bears in the Pros

DALLAS, TX - MAY 25: Jason Kidd #2 of the Dallas Mavericks goes up for a shot against Thabo Sefolosha #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 25, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

TV: ABC
Time: 6 PM PT/9 PM ET
Radio: ESPN Radio

For those who missed it, check out our three part look at Jason Kidd's career as a Golden Bear (Part I--freshman season, Part II--sophomore season, Part III--overall legacy). Mike Prada at SB Nation does a good job in breaking down his professional career, check it out.

There are many great basketball players, but Jason Kidd is that rare gem--a great basketball player who you'd also LOVE playing basketball with. The man infects you with the disease of passing. The ball moves until his team finds the right shot, the best possible shot, the shot you love taking. It's a recipe for success at any level of hoops.

Cal basketball. The New Jersey Nets. Team USA. The Dallas Mavericks. All of those teams experienced great success with Kidd running point, because his unselfishness rubbed off on his teammates. He'll try to do it again for the ultimate goal--an NBA Championship.

On offense, moving the ball will be his job. Finding Dirk Nowitzki will be his primary target, but he will also have to make sure the ball keeps on moving to beat Miami's active and aggressive (perhaps even overaggressive) defensive style.

Kidd has had to defend players like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Russell Westbrook over the last month (and has acquitted himself admirably), and now has to go up against the two most gifted wing players in the game in LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. If he can check them and slow them down in any way, shape or form, he'll have succeeded in his job. It'll be a difficult task, but this postseason has been full of them for Kidd, and he hasn't backed down yet.

GO BEARS!

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Sorry Miami, under most circumstances I would root for you because I am nothing if not a rank contrarian, but Kidd needs a ring.

"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.

It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0

by AERose on May 31, 2011 6:03 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

I would normally root against Dallas in all things. And doubly so against Jason Terry.

But JKidd and I are the same class at Cal.

by LeonPowe on May 31, 2011 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Olds! Oh. Wait.

Old Toothwrangler

by Kodiak on May 31, 2011 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Jason Kidd, two big triples early on!

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by Avinash Kunnath on May 31, 2011 6:24 PM PDT reply actions

Is anyone streaming this?

no bear, no care

by EchoOfSilence on May 31, 2011 6:26 PM PDT reply actions

I know a guy who knows a guy who anyway the point is fromsportcom.com.

"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.

It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0

by AERose on May 31, 2011 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Kidd just forced Wade baseline and got a block trailing from behind.

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Email: bearsnecessities at gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on May 31, 2011 7:00 PM PDT reply actions

That Jason Kidd alley-oop pass to Tyson Chandler was something pretty

Taking advantage of Miami overextension on D.

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by Avinash Kunnath on May 31, 2011 7:08 PM PDT reply actions

I don’t get the sense that either of these teams can pull away from the other.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on May 31, 2011 7:47 PM PDT reply actions

Not pretty at all, but the frenetic pace and ball movement does make it better than most Finals contests.

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by Avinash Kunnath on May 31, 2011 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Your ability to rationalize ugly-ass ball contests remains nonpareil.

"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.

It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0

by AERose on May 31, 2011 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions

I like when things move.

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Email: bearsnecessities at gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on May 31, 2011 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions

It’s incredible that Kidd can body up D-Wade on defense.

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Twitter: @avinashkunnath
Email: bearsnecessities at gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on May 31, 2011 7:48 PM PDT reply actions

Things I don't like

When LeBron hits those stupid-looking threes.

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Twitter: @avinashkunnath
Email: bearsnecessities at gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on May 31, 2011 8:01 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah, I don’t know how you beat Miami when LeBron is nailing stupid 3s

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on May 31, 2011 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Easily the worst part about the NBA: Stadium announcers

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on May 31, 2011 8:06 PM PDT reply actions

Kidd really loves the lobbed entry pass, which makes sense when you’ve got multiple 7 footers on the team.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on May 31, 2011 8:23 PM PDT reply actions

Mavs are really good at cutting off the ball.

Actually, Dirk has probably been one of the best passers on this team tonight, but the guys won’t nail their jumpers.

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Email: bearsnecessities at gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on May 31, 2011 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Marion’s been forcing up some bad shots lately.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on May 31, 2011 8:31 PM PDT reply actions

Sigh.

All of a sudden I hate this game.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on May 31, 2011 8:35 PM PDT reply actions

Dallas missed too many open shots and layups

Plus the rebounds. Oh well, they need to get the split Thursday.

Contact info
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Email: bearsnecessities at gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on May 31, 2011 8:43 PM PDT reply actions

Hey Mavs started up 2-0 last time and lost in the end. Maybe they want to lose the first 2 games this time!

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by TwistNHook on May 31, 2011 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions

When LeBron accelerated right down the middle to dunk – I feared for the future of basketball. The only person that can stop leBron is himself.

by LeonPowe on May 31, 2011 9:03 PM PDT reply actions

What about the T1000?

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by TwistNHook on May 31, 2011 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Not fast enough. Did you see how they drove away from it?

by LeonPowe on May 31, 2011 10:01 PM PDT up reply actions

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