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Felton, who shot 7 of 18, and Jason Kidd (five points) didn’t show up. They combined to shoot 1 of 9 from the 3-point stripe. Each committed three turnovers and didn’t play their normal hard-nosed defense. “We really didn’t guard anyone off the dribble,’’ said Steve Novak, who hugged his friend Lin after the final buzzer. “I know Jeremy wasn’t sure how it would go. He seemed very comfortable.’’ New York Post

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd, Steve Novak 

Stefan Bondy: Kidd's interest in Brooklyn was genuine, or so said a friend of his before free agency started. I know he and Avery didn't mesh in Dallas Twitter @NYDNInterNets

Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Free Agency, Jason Kidd 

Jared Zwerling: Kidd: "Melo was a video game tonight. I don’t play them, but I guess you push the X button and it goes in every time." #Knicks Twitter @JaredZwerling

New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd 

Sources say Nash was arranging a trip to New York to sign with the Knicks until a late phone call from Kobe Bryant. Kidd always has been a better defender than Nash and more adaptable in playing off the ball, guarding the “2” position. And Kidd is also unexpectedly lighting up from the 3-point line like never before in his career. He is shooting 52 percent from 3-point land after once being called “Ason Kidd” for not having a “J.” New York Post

Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd 

Asked if he has had to swallow his pride by not playing much point guard, Kidd said, “It’s just basketball. The game has changed. Look at Miami. They don’t really have a center. The game has changed, having smaller guys out there.” Kidd’s influence on Carmelo Anthony has been gigantic. “I’ve always tried to make the game easy for my teammates,” Kidd said. “With Melo, I’m working with him every day that he doesn’t have to fight to get the ball. Just relax. It reminds me of Dirk [Nowitzki]. You don’t have to fight to get the ball. I’ll get you the ball.’’ New York Post

Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd 

Jason Kidd confirmed he believes Amar’e Stoudemire will make his season debut in late December and said he thinks Stoudemire’s addition will be smooth. “I think Amare’s close,” Kidd said on “The Michael Kay Show” on 98.7 FM. “I think he is very close, around the corner in getting involved in playing. Maybe at the end of this month. New York Post

New York Knicks, Amare Stoudemire, Jason Kidd, Injuries 

Some unexpected teams have gotten off to good first-quarter starts. We check in with NBA scouts to see which ones have staying power. New York Knicks. East scout: “I don’t think they’re the best team in the East, that’s Miami. And by the end of the year, you know Boston is going to get back into the picture in that division. But bringing in Jason Kidd has been an underrated move. He gives them a lot of stability, he can play multiple positions and he is a champion. Having him and (Tyson) Chandler there is big.” Oregonian

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd 

Immediately after the game, though, Anthony wanted to find Kidd, who had scored half as many points but who Anthony knew had had just as big an effect on the game. Anthony went over to Kidd to hug him and say “thank you.” That signified just how much Anthony, the Knicks’ best player, values having Kidd as a teammate. “I think it’s huge,” Kidd said of what it meant to receive the hug. “I think he trusts me coming down the stretch.” New York Times

New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd 

Anthony put his faith in Kidd when the Knicks trailed the Nuggets early in the fourth quarter. During a timeout, Coach Mike Woodson wanted Anthony to be the focal point of the team’s offense. Anthony had a different idea. “He told me, ‘Let’s play through you,’ ” Kidd said. “Coach wanted to play through Carmelo, but Carmelo was like, ‘No, I want to play through Jason.’ I think that’s the greatest compliment a teammate can get.” New York Times

New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd 

On Sunday evening, with the Knicks back home to face the Denver Nuggets after a three-game road trip, Kidd once again found his dome under siege, and once again took extreme (and extremely questionable) measures to protect his ample melon. Charles Curtis sets the scene at NJ.com: [During the second quarter,] Kidd pump-faked near the Knicks' bench against Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson, then drew a shooting foul by leaning in. He was hit in the head in the process. [...] "It is part of the game," he said. "I have to be a little more cautious of the pump fake because everyone is flying at it. I have to protect myself." Yahoo! Sports

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd 

Jason Kidd has been out of the lineup with back spasms since Nov. 25, but Mike Woodson says he has made progress. “Well, he’s back out on the floor shooting a little bit, but when his return is expected, I don’t know at this point still,” said Woodson. Kidd will be brought back slowly when he returns. RealGM

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd, Injuries 

Jason Kidd returned to practice with the Knicks on Friday and said he’s hoping to play next week when the team hits the road. Kidd (back spasms) will miss his third straight game tonight against 1-12 Washington and seems out for Sunday’s game against Phoenix. Newsday

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd, Injuries 

Alan Hahn: #Knicks just announced Jason Kidd is out for game at MIL with back spasms. He's day-to-day, did not make the trip. Brewer is in. #fb Twitter @alanhahn

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd, Injuries 

Steve Popper: Jason Kidd is not playing. Why? Can't tell you. #Knicks Twitter @StevePopper

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd 

One scout's take on Knicks' success Gives a tremendous amount of credit to Jason Kidd, for making the subtle, smart, unselfish plays that create chances without showing up in the boxscore -- running hard to fill a lane on a break, then cutting to far side to open a lane for a trailer -- that force his more stats-conscious teammates to be less selfish. I've never seen a player whose game has diminished so much, physically, still command that kind of respect. Kidd paired with Tyson Chandler also provides the leadership tandem behind the Mavs' championship run. Knicks, in turn, taking page out of Dallas book by pairing Kidd with another PG to provide the dribble penetration he no longer can. Mavs, conversely, miss him in a big way; had no one to organize them down the stretch vs. Warriors. Would've made for a nice three-man rotation with Darren Collison and OJ Mayo. Sulia

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd, Tyson Chandler 

Dwain Price: Dirk on J-Kidd: "We text a little bit, maybe a week or two weeks ago. He text me obviously when I had surgery to see how I was doing." Twitter @DwainPrice

Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd 

“I think we believe in one another. I don’t want to say it’s a surprise,” Kidd said of the Knicks’ success. “I think with the knowledge and the understanding of the game and the principles that Coach has put out for us, I think guys have picked it up quickly and it’s kind of fun as you can see.” National Post

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd 

But Kidd, whose Nets lost to the Spurs in the 2003 Finals, got his ring with Dallas two years ago. He’s been back numerous times before, but he was asked how close he was to signing with San Antonio nine years ago. “Very,” Kidd said. “Very close. If it wasn’t for thinking that I could win a championship in Jersey I would have came here. But I thought we had a chance to still win and be competitive. It just didn’t work out that way.” Sulia

New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Jason Kidd 

Heck, the Knicks have employees whose job is to eavesdrop on conversations between reporters and players. We’re talking established veterans who are 37, 38 and 40 years old being treated like children. And it’s not like Jason Kidd is revealing what really happened in Benghazi or giving away Dolan’s WiFi password. It’s a rather silly exercise, especially in a locker room with engaging and been-there, done-that players. Is it meant as a form of intimidation? Sure. Mostly, it’s a way of letting everyone know that Big (dufus) Brother is always watching. New York Daily News

New York Knicks, Media, Jason Kidd, James Dolan 

Steve Kyler: Jason Kidd talked in his locker about how much easier this Knicks situation is on him as a person and a player. Twitter @stevekylerNBA

Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Jason Kidd