Preseason basketball is here and it seems that at least one local establishment is decidedly unsatisfied with all the negative attention that Josh Howard has recieved as of late. SMU-area haunt Milo Butterfingers had this to say about the Wake Forest product, who at this point seems a far ethical cry from his fellow Demon Deacon alums Tim Duncan and Chris Paul. Not only does the bar hang this signed jersey upside-down, but they make sure as many people see it as possible by putting directly next to the front entrance. We’ll keep an eye on the status of this–maybe Josh can play his way back from the Land Down Under if he can put together some solid play after the first quarter with any kind of consistency.

P.S. Note the Barry Sanders Oklahoma State(?!) jersey that the bar also proudly displays–right-side up.

With some thanks to all who signed the petition for Dirk Nowitzki, the big German will be the his country’s official flag bearer for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  On another note, what is up with that haircut?  Of course we’d expect this type of dome artistry from someone like the “Tru Warier” Ron Artest, but the Olympic rings carved into Dirk’s head proves that you never really know what this guy is gonna do.  To his benefit, about half of his teammates are currently looking just as silly with their head rings.  Let’s see if this look makes it to the court. We’ll keep our fingers crossed. Congrats, Mr. Nowitzki.

Those of us in the good ole U.S. of A., especially in Dallas, have been lucky enough to see former MVP Dirk Nowitzki polish his exceptional hoops talent on our home turf.  Now we all have a chance to show our gratitude for the big German.  Looks like a guy named Tobias Gerhards has started a petition to get Dirk the job as the official flag bearer for Germany in this summer’s Olympics in Beijing.  At the time of this writing, the signature count is just under 4,000.  Let’s show our support for the lovably goofy giant with a sinister skill set — Dirk Werner Nowitzki. [Link: Dirk Nowitzki als Fahnenträger in Peking Petition]

In lieu of the Mighty German working to get back in the Dallas Mavericks lineup before the playoffs (fingers crossed on that), we at the N. Period present this humorous morsel of flickr fodder.  The title for the above photo is “Me and Dirk Nowitzki.” Dam. Looks like some poor kid got fooled.  Try again ace!

Thanks to the folks over at the Gorilla vs. Bear blog, I just heard Jason Kidd’s 1994 attempt at rapping — a sad song called “What the Kidd Didd” that features Digital Underground’s Money B.  It can be said with no hesitation that Kidd and B. have recorded one of the sorriest songs in the world’s history.  I have done my best to transcribe the lyrics here, but there were a few nonsensical parts that I could not comprehend.  Jason Kidd, if you read this, please leave a comment and fill in the gaps. Enjoy!

mp3: What the Kidd Didd (feat. Money B)

[wpaudio http://thenperiod.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/jkidd.mp3]

(Kidd)
J. Kidd from the town O-A-K
He came from a newcomer or so they say
I’m the new Kidd on the block, but they jock still
I got skills with the rock

(Money B.)
And you can call Austin like Steve Austin
Steady flossin’ with cash earned from hittin’ Mashburn

(Kidd)
On the break, you want me to take (??)
With a left, right uh get shook, look

(Money B.)
More steals than Ricky Hen (??) from the Pac-10

(Kidd)
I ain’t new to
This, I give assists like a high school tutor
But who the hell said bein’ a Kidd was easy?

Chorus:
People wanna know what the Kidd didd
But ain’t nothin’ goin on but cash and b-ballin’
People wanna know what the Kidd didd
But I guess they’re all ears cus they hear a brotha fallin’
People wanna know what the Kidd didd
Don’t sweat it everything’s gonna be alright
I said people wanna know what the Kidd didd
But all you really gotta know is he’s tiiight

(Kidd)
Let’s go back
A few years to be exact
High chool the fools didn’t know how to act
At St. Joe’s the hos treated me different
But I was good on the dribble like an infant
And it went
All down accordin to plan
At UC-Berkeley I was the m- I was the man
Every week, my name in the (??)
J-Kidd, kickin’ ass like Jim Kelly

(Money B.)
And he had more chicks than Kentucky Fried
The ones that said they didn’t wanna

(Kidd)
Well, they lied, and a few tried the kick it
Tough
Lookin’ at me like a meal ticket

(Money B.)
Now you gotta play the low on the scene

(Kidd)
And try my best to avoid Billie Jean

(Money B.)
But now you gotta deal with the drama

(Kidd)
I shoulda seen it comin’
Like Rocky’s momma

Chorus:
Now, people wanna know what the Kidd didd
Work hard and try to get my family paid
Oh yeah the people wanna know what the Kidd didd
Now all the chicks screamin’ “I wanna be saved!”
People wanna know what the Kidd didd
Don’t sweat it everything’s gonna be alright
Uh-huh the people wanna know what the Kidd didd
But all you really gotta know is he’s tiiight

(Group)
Now it ain’t no party like a J-Kidd party
Cus a J-Kidd party don’t stop

(Kidd)
But it ain’t no party cus I can’t get it started
With all the player haters on my jock

(Money B.)
Q said every block in America’s Most Wanted

(Kidd)
But ooohh try to hit the strip in a drop 500 Benzito
The phat two-seato

(Money B.)
Lookin’ fo freaks to lay like a Frito

(Kidd)
Everybody’s got they eyes peeled back
Cops lookin’ for a chance to jack
And every chick that I pass
Is smilin’ and wavin’
Dam near turnin’ flips on the pavement

(Money B.)
Old folks roll up, stop and grin atcha
While their kids get atcha
For a signacha

(Kidd)
All that could really make a brother bat (??)
But hey, hasn’t this happened?

Chorus:
People wanna know what the Kidd didd
Just livin’ my life like a brotha supposed to
People wanna know what the Kidd didd
And I’m surrounded by rumors like the Timex social
People wanna know what the Kidd didd
Don’t sweat it everything’s gonna be alright
Yeah the people wanna know what the Kidd didd
But all you really need to know is I’m tiiight

from ESPN: Well, it seems that Jason Kidd will finally re-join the Dallas Mavericks after several snags in last week’s proposed trade with the New Jersey Nets.  According to Marc Stein’s report, the version of the deal that actually went through will end up costing the Mavs $11 million more than the original proposal.  Oops. Let’s hope it’s worth it. Now that this whole thing is over, I wonder what jersey number J-Kidd will wear, as his favorite “5″ has been used by Josh Howard since he came into the league.  Juwan Howard, another long-time number 5, was forced to change to “55″ when he came back to the Mavs this year.  Any one wanna venture any guesses what will happen here?

[Trade] details: Kidd, forward Malik Allen and swingman Antoine Wright sent to Dallas for 24-year-old point guard Devin Harris, center DeSagana Diop, swingman Trenton Hassell, guard Maurice Ager, Van Horn via sign-and-trade, first-round draft picks this June and in 2010 and $3 million in cash. The teams originally planned to move Wright to Dallas in a separate transaction but were able to make the salary-cap math work in a single trade after the deal was reconfigured over the weekend.

***EDIT*** The deal is done.

***EDIT EDIT*** Devean George blocks the deal.

Marc Stein reports for ESPN.

Although sources say that the teams are still sorting out final details, this deal was described as “imminent” by one source close to the process after negotiations moved to an advanced stage Tuesday night. The proposed swap — salvaged from talks of a three-way trade with Portland that developed and fizzled quickly two weeks ago — would require Dallas to send 24-year-old point guard Devin Harris, veteran swingman Jerry Stackhouse, the expiring contracts of center DeSegana Diop and swingman Devean George and another player such as guard Maurice Ager to New Jersey for Kidd and possibly forward Malik Allen or veteran guard Darrell Armstrong.

It’s believed that Dallas would also send New Jersey cash ($3 million is the league maximum) and one or two future first-round draft choices. One source told ESPN.com that the Mavericks and Nets were also discussing a separate trade that would send Antoine Wright to Dallas for a future second-round pick.

I guess we may have the Nets to thank for trouncing us on Sunday, surely that had some role in changing Mark Cuban’s mind on a trade he previously said was about as sensible as firing up the ol’ crack pipe. (see third paragraph, last line)

Finally!

It was an unfortunate return to Texas for last year’s NCAA National Player of the Year as rookie extraordinaire Kevin Durant really stunk it up in front of the Dallas Mavericks crowd on Saturday night. He went a dismal 3-12 from the field to tie his season low of 6 points in 25 minutes of play. Honestly, Durant looked lost out there and failed to even produce a single memorable moment at either end of the floor. I guess we’ll have to wait til next year to see any excitement from this young player in person. Hopefully one day someone will find this post in the blogosphere and use it as a measuring stick for how far this talented young man has come.