Turnover

"Smart defense" begins in the heart

It's a game day and the Dallas Mavericks are an ordinary 6-5 with Jason Kidd. We can sugarcoat the Laker-Spurs-Jazz losses all we want and count the Rocket loss to Dirk's body slam of AK-47.

But 6-5 is 6-5 and when you're a game out of the eighth seed, 6-5 sucks.

As discussed ad nauseum on this blog and around the world is Kidd's ability to defend. Kidd supporters say he's good, or at the very least "smart." Doubters say he's old and a step behind no matter how much effort he puts forth. It just isn't there like it used to. Before the trade, announcer Marv Albert said that Kidd was such a good defender that he would be on Lebron James or Kobe Bryant.

The games roll around and younger, faster, better points drop 20 assists here and 40 points there. Rafer Alston looked like Bob Cousy! One stat I've taken the time to keep track of these first 11 Kidd games is opponents turnovers. "Smart defenders" get turnovers. They outhink their opponents, set themselves in advantageous positions and take advantage.

So here are the turnover totals for the starting point and shooting guards for each opponent:

Feb. 21 -- L 104-93
Chris Paul (1) -- Morris Peterson (2)

Feb. 22 -- W 98-83
Mike Conley (1) -- Juan Navarro (2)

Feb. 24 -- W 99-83
Sebastian Telfair (4) -- Randy Foye (2)

Feb. 25 -- W 102-94
Thabo Sefolosha (1) -- Kirk Hinrich (3)

Feb. 28 -- L 97-94
Tony Parker (1) -- Manu Ginobili (2)

Feb. 29 -- W 115-106
Beno Udrih (1) -- Kevin Martin (1)

March 2 -- L 108-104
Derek Fisher (0) -- Kobe Bryant (5)

March 3 -- L 116-110
Deron Williams (4) -- Ronnie Brewer (1)

March 6 -- L 113-98
Rafer Alston (0) -- Tracy McGrady (1)

March 8 -- W 111-91
Devin Harris (0) -- Vince Carter (1)

March 10 -- W 108-79
Jamal Crawford (0) -- Quentin Richardson (0)

That's 33 turnovers in 11 games for 22 guards. That's two turnovers per player. That's just three a game. Since Kidd averages about 3.6 turnovers a game himself, wouldn't you think the bigger, "smarter" Kidd would at least force turnovers, especially with the likes of Crawford, Richardson, Alston and especially guys like Williams and Paul who handle the ball so much.

It's a very dissapointing stat that I hope improves. Winning in the playoffs means getting that one turnover in crunch time that pays a dividend when the buzzer sounds. Devin Harris was good for that big steal or causing a miscue with pressure D. Kidd, not so much.

Again, do not get me wrong. Kidd's deficiencies on the defensive end have nothing to do with effort and it's not like every point guard opponent is ripping him up. But turnovers are a big part of winning and Harris seemed to cause his fair share.