Jason Kidd ranks second on the NBA's career assists list, trailing only John Stockton.
(NBAE/Getty Images)
(NBAE/Getty Images)
“This could be it because it would be hard to come back after a lockout,” Kidd told Yahoo! Sports. “I would probably move on and join the next chapter of what I would be doing in life. But I hope that isn’t the case where it just ended without having one more season.”
Some of the league’s other elder statesmen will be facing similar decisions. Shaquille O’Neal(notes) (39), Steve Nash (36), Tim Duncan (turns 35 in April) and Kevin Garnett (35 on Saturday) will each have a year left on their contracts that could be wiped out by a season-long lockout. Grant Hill (38) will be a free agent this summer.
Garnett has hinted he could be done if the lockout cancels next season while O’Neal told Yahoo! Sports in an e-mail he’ll likely try to keep playing. Regardless, the NBA could be waving farewell to a generation of stars sooner than expected.
Kidd admits he could be facing a dilemma. His strong relationship with famed hotel and casino financier Steve Wynn also could lead to a new career opportunity.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing what his business was all about with the hotel business and understanding the success that he’s had here in the States and also in Macau,” Kidd said. “Also … hopefully I can go upstairs [to an NBA team’s front office] and put the pieces together with a basketball franchise. That would be fun. Front office or maybe coaching, play a little golf and look at it from a different side.”
Kidd was with the Phoenix Suns during the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season. And he remembers how tough it was to sometimes play on three consecutive nights.
“It’s just too much basketball, too short amount of time,” Kidd said. “I think this [Dallas] team would be fine because of our depth. But at the end of the day it becomes a sprint, not a marathon. Every game counts.
“It would be a great challenge, a fun challenge. In those types of circumstances, that’s what you hope the body and the mind are up for. I wouldn’t mind having that challenge, but I hope that’s not the case because there would be a lockout.”
Kidd’s play hasn’t dropped much in his 17th season, even while he’s had to battle an ever-increasing list of talented point guards that includes All-Stars Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Rajon Rondo and Russell Westbrook(notes). The key for Kidd? He’s the “smartest player to ever play this game,” Mavs guard Jason Terry said.
“I’ve never seen a guy like him take one shot in a game and be the MVP of a game,” Terry said. “He gets 17 assists and only takes one shot. It’s unbelievable how he affects a game. He guards the toughest guards. At his age people say he’s getting slower, but he’s still there [defensively]. Guys ain’t just blowing by J-Kidd.”
Kidd ranks in the top 10 this season in assists per game (8.4), steals (1.6) and assist-to-turnover ratio (3.7-to-1). Despite having microfracture knee surgery in 2004, Kidd has played in at least 80 games since the 2005-06 season and has not missed a game this season. Another key to his longevity is strengthening his legs with a daily weight-lifting regimen and an improved 3-point.
Still, he knows the time is coming when he’ll eventually be asked to move to the bench to make room for someone younger.
“I feel good now, but be it at 39, 40 [years old], giving a younger guard a spell for five or six minutes, I wouldn’t mind that because I still feel I can compete and help the team win,” Kidd said. “I can also share my experiences with that guard to make them better.”
Kidd has helped the Mavericks stay in contention with the Los Angeles Lakers for the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed. After twice losing in the NBA Finals with the New Jersey Nets, he knows this could be his final chance to win a title. And if a lockout stretches too long into next season, his final game could coincide with the end of the Mavs’ playoff run.
“You’re not promised anything so this is a great opportunity,” Kidd said. “You got to take full advantage of it.”
Kidd has marked his own legacy in the league, most especially now that he already won a ring. I think it would be good for him to retire, if the NBA decides to proceed with the lockout. He doesn't need have to prove anything anymore. Cheers to the one and only Kidd! :)
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