The two have yet to meet. They've never even gone so far as to shake hands before or after a game.

``I've never talked to him,'' said Cavaliers point guard Andre Miller, who has faced New Jersey's Jason Kidd six times in his three-year career, losing them all.

Nevertheless, Miller finds himself compared with Kidd more than to any other player in the NBA.

Both point guards are solid rebounders. Both push the ball up the floor well. Neither is a great shooter, but both can hit a clutch outside jumper. Both are quiet leaders, but they're able to make their teammates better, which is what being a point guard is all about.

Now, as Miller prepares to meet up with Kidd tomorrow at Gund Arena, he's trying to dethrone Kidd for the NBA assists crown. Miller leads the league with a 10.7 average, while Kidd, who has won three titles in a row, in second at 9.8.

``Yeah, I look at that,'' said Miller, averaging 17.1 points to 14.5 for Kidd. ``I'm looking forward to playing against (Kidd). He's one of the better point guards in the league. I hope to become a player like him.''

While the 6-foot-2 Miller sometimes statistically gets the better of the 6-4 Kidd, he never has come out on top in a game. During the previous two seasons, when Kidd was with Phoenix, the Suns went 4-0 against the Cavs.

The Nets this season are 2-0 against the Cavs. Perhaps no game was more frustrating for Miller than an 87-84 loss Nov. 10.

Miller finished with 19 points and 14 assists to 10 points and four assists for Kidd. But while Miller self-destructed down the stretch with several turnovers, missed layups and shots that were blocked, Kidd took over, scoring seven of his team's last nine points.

Since that game, Cavs coach John Lucas has toned down current comparisons between Miller, 25, and Kidd, 28, an eight-year pro. But Lucas does believe Miller is making strides to get to Kidd's level, which includes four appearances in the All-Star Game and three consecutive berths on the All-NBA first team.

``Kidd is a good matchup for Andre,'' Lucas said. ``Both can push the ball and can rebound and can run a team. Andre is getting better at running a team, but Kidd has seven or eight years advantage. The comparison is not fair yet. But can Andre be like Jason Kidd? In a couple of years.''

Kidd's advancement as a player has been slightly quicker than Miller's. After leaving the University of California as a sophomore, Kidd averaged 11.7 points and 7.7 assists as a rookie. He played in the All-Star Game in his second season, when he averaged 16.6 points and 9.6 assists.

Miller played four seasons at the University of Utah and actually was on campus for five years. He averaged 11.1 points and 5.8 assists as a rookie and 15.8 points and 8 assists last season.

Miller hasn't made any All-Star appearances and might not be picked this season considering the Cavs' mediocre record. But Kidd anticipates great things out of Miller.

``He plays hard,'' Kidd said. ``He gets in there and rebounds. He distributes the ball and tries to create for his teammates. There are some similarities (between the two players). He's a young player who's getting better each year. That's good for Cleveland fans and good for him. He should be one of the top point guards in the league in due time.''

Even if Miller doesn't join Kidd in the All-Star Game this season, there's still a possibility the two soon could be on the same team. Kidd already has been named to represent the U.S. in the World Championships in Indianapolis next August. Cavs general manager Jim Paxson predicts the other point guard selected will be either Miller or Charlotte's Baron Davis.

If Kidd and Miller are teammates, one presumes they'll talk to each other.


MARTIN TO SIT -- Nets forward Kenyon Martin won't play against the Cavs after being suspended by the NBA yesterday for one game. Martin also was fined $7,500 for a flagrant penalty 2 foul against Utah forward Karl Malone with 1:37 remaining in last Saturday's game. With Martin out, the Nets will have to make their first lineup change of the season. The same five players have started in each of their 25 games.