Spurs Still Winless for the Season

-photo credit: yahoosports.com/nba

Dirk Nowitzki led the visiting Dallas Mavericks with 30 points and defeated the San Antonio Spurs 98-81 at their home floor.

Dallas sizzled in the game as they shot 53 percent from the floor compared to San Antonio’s 42 percent. Behind Nowitzki’s 30 point marker, Jason Terry chipped in 29 points. Josh Howard contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds while Jason Kidd finished with 9 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds.

The Spurs are off to their worst opening since they opened the 1973-74 ABA season 0-4.

Tony Parker led the Spurs with 19 points while Tim Duncan finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds. Roger Mason and rookie George Hill added 11 points apiece. Super-sub Manu Ginobili is still absent and won’t be back until December.

The Spurs (0-3) will visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 5 and the Mavs (2-2) heads to Denver to face the Nuggets on November 7.

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Around the League: Coach Talks

D’Antoni Agrees to Coach Knicks

After leading the Phoenix Suns to three division titles and two trips to the Western Conference Finals, Mike D’Antoni will now head to the Big Apple for a change of scenery.

D’Antoni made an agreement with the New York Knicks to become the head coach of the team next season. The completion of the contract is still on the prcoess.

D’Antoni will replace Isiah Thomas at the helm of the Knicks. Thomas was fired after the Knicks went 23-59 this season and tied the franchise record for losses in a season.

D’Antoni will have a tough time transforming the Knicks into a contender. His new roster is obviously unfit for his small-ball up-tempo style.

Carlisle Replaces Johnson as Mavs Head Coach

The Dallas Mavericks named Rick Carlisle as the replacement for their former head coach Avery Johnson. Carlisle was the only candidate for the head coach post when the Mavs fired Johnson after their second straight round 1 playoff exit.

Carlisle went 281-211 in two seasons in Detroit and four in Indiana. This is Carlisle’s third stint as a head coach and his skills will be put to test as he is now in the tough Western Conference.

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Kidd is Back in Dallas

All-Star point guard Jason Kidd is back in Dallas where his NBA career started. An eight player trade was arranged to bring Kidd back in Dallas. The Mavericks also received veteran Malik Allen and swingman Antoine Wright in exchange for Devin Harris, Maurice Ager, Trenton Hassell, DeSagana Diop, and “retired” Keith Van Horn. The Nets also included the 2008 and 2010 first round draft picks and cash considerations.

 

“I’m just very happy that this deal is done. I’m happy to be back here in Dallas. I’m happy that (Cuban) and (Johnson) believe in my talent and my teammates’ talents – that we can help the Mavs in pursuing that ultimate goal, and that’s to win a championship.” Kidd said at a press conference.

 

A 14 year veteran, Jason Kidd was originally drafted second overall by the Dallas Mavericks. He shared Rookie of the Year Honors with Grant Hill in 1995 before being traded to the Phoenix Suns in 1996. Kidd was traded again in 2001 to the Nets in exchange for Stephon Marbury.

 

Jason Kidd demanded to be shipped out of New Jersey this season because of their lackluster performance. Kidd was at the helm when he led the Nets to two consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003 but failed to capture the gold at both times. Playing with the Mavericks will give Jason Kidd a new opportunity to finally capture the NBA crown.

Kidd, 34, is still playing at a very high level this season as he is averaging 11.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 10.4 assists in 51 games for the Nets this season.

 

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