Jason Kidd (Age 38) locks down Kevin Durant - 2011 NBA WCF

Dallas had Kidd coast on defense for the opening minutes of the game by matching him up with Sefalosha, but Kidd would often guard Westbrook and/or Durant for full quarters in the remainder of each game, not just for a few isolated possessions. Jason Kidd's defense in the 2011 WCF was phenomenal as both Westbrook and Durant struggled to find consistent success against him.

Jason Kidd's off-ball defense on Durant played a key role in limiting Durant's opportunities or forcing him to catch the ball in more difficult positions away from the basket. Kidd stripped Durant several times in the series and did an excellent job of keeping him out the paint and contesting most of Durant's shot attempts.

Westbrook found some success against Kidd in the beginning of the series, but Kidd's defense on Westbrook continued to improve as the series progressed. Westbrook did beat Kidd from time to time with his speed and explosion, but more often than not Kidd's timing and lateral movement was enough to stay in front of Westbrook and force him into reckless shots and turnovers.

Westbrook and Durant may have still been young at the time, but Durant was a 2-time scoring champion by 2011 and Jason Kidd was much further away from his prime at age 38.

Articles on Kidd taking on Kobe, Durant, and Westbrook in the 2011 Playoffs

- 1. https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/5/3...

- 2. http://www.espn.com/dallas/nba/column...