JASON KIDD BRINGS WINNING BACK TO DALLAS, DIVORCE WITH EX-WIFE JOUMANA WAS AVOIDABLE

That messy Jason and Joumana Kidd divorce could have been avoided. Jason said he needed a "change". He know clarifies: "... not women... basketball teams, Honey I was talking about teams!" A bit too late for that little confession. But not too late for the rejuvinated NBA Dallas Mavericks, as Jason Kidd was retuned home to Dallas.


"And all is right with the world. That's probably just one of the thoughts Maverick coach Avery Johnson has as he drove home after last nights wins over the Chicago Bulls. But it's really former MVP Dirk Nowitzki who hasn't stopped smiling since he got hooked back up with an elite point guard after three-plus years without one.

But the San Antonio Spurs and hot handed Manu Ginobili say the party stops with their match up on February 28th. Not to be out done Kobe Bryant and the new “Pao Gasol” Lakers have threatened a beat down at their March 2nd. show down.

DALLAS -- The first assist on a nostalgic Monday night at American Airlines Center was actually recorded Sunday night on a Dallas-bound plane from Minneapolis.

It was on that team flight home that Dirk Nowitzki huddled with his coach to make sure that Jason Kidd would be introduced last among Mavericks starters for Kidd's first game as a Mav in more than 11 years.

Kidd then followed up his grand re-entrance with just enough fancy passing of his own in a comfortable 102-94 victory over Chicago to make it pretty clear why Nowitzki was so gracious. Read more of this Jason Kidd home coming By Marc Stein at ESPN.com

KING LEBRON JAMES RECLAIMS HIS CROWN BY LEADING EAST TO NBA ALL STAR WIN… KOBE SITS THIS ONE OUT.

LeBron James threw down a powerful dunk for the go-ahead basket with 55 seconds left; punctuating an MVP performance and helping the Eastern Conference beat the West 134-128 on Sunday night in the All-Star game.

James finished with 27 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in capturing his second MVP award in the last three years. He was first honored in 2006 in Houston after he sparked the East's big rally in a 122-120 victory.

Meanwhile last year's MVP, Kobe Bryant of the Lakers played approximately three minutes then sat on the bench nursing his dislocated pinky finger. Understandably so, as doctors have recommended surgery and rehab, a six week program that Kobe is saying he doesn’t want right now.

It was also announced this weekend, that the Jason Kidd trade to the Dallas Mavericks was back on. And Kidd showed his worth as a fare share of those LeBron baskets were assisted by Kidd himself. This was a great way to bring excitement to the second half of the NBA season. Laker’s jump if off this Wednesday with the new Shaq-afied Phoenix Suns. Hold on to your hats it’s about to get real good!

The NBA All-Star Weekend Has Sonics Baller Daniel Gibson Taking Rookies Out To The Woodshed!

Gibson's Got Something For Ya!

The Sonics' Kevin Durant was the star of the rookie team, but Cleveland Cavalier Guard Daniel Gibson was the star of Friday night's Rookie Challenge.

Gibson made a record 11 three-pointers, many coming right in front of Cleveland teammate LeBron James, and scored 33 points to lead the NBA's sophomore stars to a 136-109 victory over the top rookies.

The 6-foot-2 Houston, Texas native walked away with an MVP award, and had the look of someone who has another trophy coming during All-Star weekend in New Orleans.

The game was the first event in the National Basketball Association’s all-star weekend. Gibson, 21, said afterward that having James seated courtside along with Kevin Garnett, Carmelo Anthony and Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers had spurred him on.

He'll compete in the three-point shootout tonight, and will be hard to beat if he shoots the way he did against the defenseless rookies. He finished three points shy of the game record, set by Amare Stoudemire in 2004.

"My confidence will be high from tonight and hopefully I didn't use them all up," Gibson said.

Portland's Brandon Roy, a former Washington Husky, added 17 points and seven assists for the sophomores.

The rookies led late in the first half before Gibson's surge began. He drilled back-to-back threes to turn a three-point deficit into a three-point lead, then quickly added three more to give the sophomores a 55-44 advantage.

"Once he gets in the zone, once he hits two or three, he gets it going. He hit 11 tonight," said the Sonics rookie Kevin Durant, who like Gibson played at Texas. "I'm very happy for him. He went from a second-round pick to win an MVP in the rookie-sophomore game."

Durant had team highs of 23 points and eight rebounds for the rookies, and Sonics teammate Jeff Green added nine points and five rebounds.

Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant will start for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game, and Jason Kidd will be in the lineup for the East. Probably.

The Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets had agreed to a deal on Tuesday that would have sent Kidd to Dallas, but Mavericks forward Devean George exercised his right to block the trade, placing both franchises in limbo.

Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki said he didn't expect the failed trade to splinter the Mavericks' locker room. "I think that's where the leaders of this team have to make sure it doesn't happen," Nowitzki said. "If the locker room gets separated, there's no way we're going to achieve our goal. So, you know, deal or no deal, we've got to make sure that the troops are ready to go."

When asked specifically about George, Nowitzki said: "Devean has been a great guy. I guess he's looking out for himself a little bit, but sometimes that's what this league is all about. I feel like we need to get healthy."

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant lobbied hard to get Kidd last summer. He understands Nowitzki's pain. "I saw him walking around," Bryant said of Nowitzki. "I don't know how he's feeling, but if I was that close to getting Jason Kidd, I'd be a little [upset]."

While Bryant said he'd "rather not play" tonight due to a torn ligament in his right pinky, NBA rules will have him suiting up and dragging his butt our on the court.

In other news:

• Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing and Pat Riley are among the finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Holdovers Chris Mullin, Adrian Dantley, Don Nelson and former Sonic Dennis Johnson are among the 15 candidates. The others: Richie Guerin; Johnny "Red" Kerr; Dick Vitale; Pistons owner Bill Davidson; former women's coach Cathy Rush; former Duke coach Victor Bubas; and Togo Soares and Maciel Ubiratan Pereira of Brazil.

The class of 2008 will be announced April 7.

• Detroit Shock All-Star forward Swin Cash likely will be traded to the Seattle Storm soon as Tuesday, when WNBA free agency opens, the Detroit Free Press reported. [AP] [Washington Post]