Jason Kidd sees strong parallels between the current New York Knicks and the 2010-11 Dallas Mavericks.

Kidd was the starting point guard when the Mavericks won the NBA championship in 2011.

"I mean, it's very similar," Kidd said. "Melo and Dirk are your high-level players. You have J.R. [Smith] and Jason Terry. J.J. [Barea] is kind of like Pablo [Prigioni]. [Steve] Novak's like Peja [Stojakovic], a guy who can stretch the defense and knock down 3's. Tyson is Tyson."

The Knicks were at one point one of the NBA’s better defensive teams, with a stranglehold on the Eastern Conference; they’ve since slipped defensively and otherwise, falling to 17th in points allowed per 100 possessions.

Still, the Knicks have shown a commitment to the defensive end.

"Both teams can score and defend," Kidd continued. "Dirk defended, and that's what helped us win a championship, and that's what Melo's doing now. He's defending."