NEW ORLEANS – It was only fitting Jason Kidd went out a winner, representing the Nets.
In what is expected to be his last game representing the Nets last night at New Orleans Arena in the All-Star Game, the point guard shined. Kidd, who single-handedly changed the Nets from losers to winners, finished with 10 assists in 26 minutes in the East’s 134-128 victory over the West in another circus-like affair in the Big Easy.
All-Star MVP LeBron James hammered the West with a huge last-minute dunk that gave the East the lead for good. King James finished with 27 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. New Orleans hometown hero Chris Paul, who finished with 16 points and 14 assists, nearly staged a heady fourth-quarter comeback for the West, racking up nine points and five assists in the final stanza.
What a nutty weekend in New Orleans it was for Kidd. After finding out the Dallas deal was “very close” in the late afternoon in a call from his agent, Kidd was introduced to the fans here as “from the New Jersey Nets.”
Kidd scored two points, but his double-digit assist total likely could make the Mavericks the team to beat.
Kidd goes now from Bourbon Street to the Big D. Ironically, Kidd will be back in New Orleans for a Mavs’ game Wednesday.
“I’ll be doing a lot of traveling the next few days,” said Kidd, who did his press conference with his son TJ by his side. “He’s off of school this week so he’ll be coming with me.”
Kidd’s East jersey had a Nets’ insignia stitched on it. When introduced, Kidd appeared to say something and raised his right arm.
“I was supposed to be dancing when I heard my name,” Kidd said. “I raised my hand. That was my way to get out of dancing. These young guys love to dance. They gave me a six-step move and I could only do two steps. They were upset with me.”
James broke the tie for good with a mighty crossover, zipping past Amare Stoudemire for a monster right-handed dunk on Dirk Nowitzki, making it 127-125 with 49 seconds left. “I wasn’t settling for a jump shot,” James said.
Ray Allen also was deserving of an MVP, scoring 28 points and making three late treys and taking a late charge – an All-Star Game rarity.
The West missed Kobe Bryant’s firepower and defense. West coach Byron Scott adhered to the Lakers’ wishes and played Bryant the first 2:52 and benched him the rest of the way. Bryant didn’t even sit on the bench to start the third quarter. He has a broken right pinkie but won’t miss any real games. He didn’t take a shot, securing one rebound.
East 134 West 128