Mavericks flamboyant owner Mark Cuban didn’t take back his harsh words about Knicks guard Jason Kidd, joking before the game he would “boo the hell out of him’’ last night.
Nevertheless, Cuban, surrounded by reporters before last night’s Knicks-Mavericks game, didn’t add fuel to the fire. Kidd had the last laugh as his Knicks beat the Mavericks, 104-94, with Kidd contributing three steals, six points and three assists in 15:28.
Cuban made scathing remarks on Dallas radio that Kidd’s jersey will never hang in the rafters in Dallas because he double-crossed him in leaving the Mavericks after verbally agreeing to a deal.
“I know what I said. I said it. It’s over,’’ Cuban said. “I’m not thinking about it. He plays for the Knicks. I don’t care about the Knicks other than we just want to beat their [butt] like every other team. He’s just a guy who wears another team’s jersey.”
Kidd said he and Cuban didn’t speak and claimed afterward it was just another game on the schedule.
“I’m going to boo the hell out of him and hope he has about 15 turnovers,’’ Cuban said beforehand. “I’ll do it happily and with a lot of warmth. He knows my voice. I don’t dislike him. I like J-Kidd.’’
Asked if he has changed his mind on retiring Kidd’s number after he retires, Cuban wouldn’t say.
“It’s for another discussion,’’ Cuban said. “No point bringing it up.’’
Cuban downplayed the role of Kidd in leading superstar Dirk Nowitzki to become a champion two years ago, saying coach Rick Carlisle should get the most credit. But Cuban agreed Kidd could help Knicks counterpart Carmelo Anthony reach the next level.
“I understand the comparisons with Carmelo where things click in,’’ Cuban said. “I think Kidd will be good for him. Carmelo wants to winJ-Kidd will show him what he’s seen with Dirk and could be a good influence. But it’s a team game.’’
Asked about the Anthony topic, Kidd said: “You have to ask him, but I feel he can be just as good as Dirk.’’
* Cuban said he spoke with Jeremy Lin’s representatives over the summer. Dallas was Lin’s first team he signed with out of college, playing for their summer league team.
“It wasn’t a primary motivation, but we have all the respect for his game, and we were the first team to sign him,” Cuban said. “But the deal he signed with Houston was a great deal.”
* The MSG Network and Garden of Dreams Foundation fundraiser generated nearly $200,000 last night with net proceeds from the event being contributed to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the American Red Cross. Cuban has donated more than $1 million, saying it’s “the right thing to doand added he has a place in Columbus Circle.”