The 3 J's
The 3 J's was a nickname for the trio of Dallas Mavericks stars Jason Kidd, Jim Jackson, and Jamal Mashburn. They played together from the 1994-1995 NBA season until the 1996-1997 season.
Prior to the formation of the 3 J's, the Dallas Mavericks were floundering as an NBA franchise. They were coming off a disappointing 1993-1994 campaign having finished with a 13-69 record, and were in the process of finding a replacement for Quinn Buckner as head coach. Jim Jackson and Jamal Mashburn, both considered to be building blocks for the Mavs' chances of becoming a contender, were struggling to live up to the potential that had been predicted for them since being drafted out of college. But Dallas would soon work to change their fortunes by drafting Cal star point guard Jason Kidd. Kidd wasted no time in leading the Mavericks out of the NBA cellar.
Under the guidance of [...] Motta, who was making his second go-round as Dallas head coach, the 3 J's would blossom as NBA superstars. Jackson and Mashburn finally realized their potential and flourished as deadly scorers. Meanwhile, Kidd proved to be one of the NBA's best point guards, showing both leadership and playmaking skills and leading the NBA in triple doubles. Jackson would suffer an ankle injury that would end his season after 51 games, but he still finished with a 25.7 scoring average while also averaging 5.1 rebounds per game. The Mavericks finished with a vastly improved 36-46 record, and Kidd shared the NBA Rookie of the Year award with Grant Hill. As the 1995-1996 season began, Mavericks fans were optimistic AbOUT their team's chances of making the NBA Playoffs. However, the season would soon turn into a recipe for disaster. Mashburn needed to have season-ending surgery to repair his sore right knee only 18 games into Dallas's schedule. To make matters worse, Kidd and Jackson fought with each other the whole season. Unsubstantiated rumors point to a love triangle between Kidd, Jackson, and R&B singer Toni Braxton. Kidd would become the first Maverick selected to start in the NBA All-Star Game, and Jackson would have a solid season in his own right, but the damage was done. Dallas finished with a 26-56 record, and Motta was subsequently fired as Mavericks head coach.
Kidd, Jackson, and Mashburn were all traded away from the Mavericks at various points during the 1996-1997 season. While Kidd went on to become arguably one of the NBA's greatest point guards, Jackson and Mashburn only enjoyed minimal success for the rest of their NBA careers.