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Kidd makes long-awaited return to New Jersey

Dec 19, 2008 - 2:22 PM Dallas (14-10) at New Jersey (12-12), 7:30pm EST

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- He turned the New Jersey Nets around essentially by himself. He led them to a pair of appearances in the NBA Finals. He was the face of the franchise.

Now, 10 months after being shipped out of town, veteran point guard Jason Kidd will make his return to New Jersey - but this time on the other sideline. Kidd's Dallas Mavericks continue their brief, Eastern Conference road trip on Friday as they visit the Nets.

Kidd was involved in one of the most high-profile and controversial trades of last season, as the Mavericks dealt young point guard Devin Harris to get him. The move certainly didn't help them last spring, as they fell in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight year.

This season, the deal has come under a bit more fire. Kidd has been criticized for his seemingly diminishing skills as the Mavericks have slipped from perennial title contender to just another team in the playoff race. Harris, meanwhile, has blossomed with the Nets, ranking sixth in the NBA at 23.9 points per game.

He has carried a rebuilding New Jersey squad into playoff contention. While inconsistent, the Nets are a respectable 12-12 and are put themselves in the hunt - though of course it's still early. The Mavericks have overcome a sluggish 2-7 start to the season and have now won seven of nine, including Wednesday night's come-from-behind, 96-86 triumph over the Toronto Raptors on the first night of their road swing.

Kidd spent 6 1/2 seasons with the Nets, leading them to the postseason in every season that he completed. It is unlikely they would have made it last season even if he would have remained in town.