Jason Kidd

Jason Kidd

Dallas Mavericks
Position	Point guard
League	NBA
Personal information
Born	(1973-03-23) March 23, 1973 San Francisco, California
Nationality	American
Listed height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight	210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
College	California
NBA draft	1994: 2nd overall
Selected by the Dallas Mavericks
Playing career	1994–present
Career highlights and awards
1995 NBA co-Rookie of the Year 9-time All-Star 6-time All-NBA Selection 9-time All-Defensive Selection 1992 Naismith High School Player of the Year
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

Jason Frederick Kidd (born March 23 1973) is an American professional basketball player in the NBA who currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks. On February 19, 2008, the Nets agreed in principle to send Kidd to the Mavericks in a trade.

He led the Nets to two consecutive NBA Finals appearances (2002 and 2003) and is considered to be one of the best players of his generation, one of the greatest playmakers in NBA history and also one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. His on-court versatility also makes him a regular triple-double threat, and he is in third place all-time for regular season triple-doubles in the NBA with a career total of 99 (as of February 8 2008) and second in playoffs triple-doubles with a career total of 11 (as of May 12, 2007).

Early life

Kidd was born in San Francisco, California, the oldest of three children of Steve and Anne Kidd. His father, now deceased, was African American and his mother is Irish-American. He was raised in the Oakland Hills, an upper middle class section of Oakland. He attended St. Paschal's Baylon school in the Oakland Hills. He frequented the city courts of Oakland, where he often found himself pitted against future NBA All-Star Gary Payton. The two still reminisce about the playing days of their youth. During his youth, Kidd also excelled at soccer as well as other sports.

At St. Joseph Notre Dame High School in Alameda, California, under the guidance of legendary prep coach Frank LaPorte, Kidd led the Pilots to back-to-back state championships, averaging 25.0 points, 10.0 assists, 7.0 rebounds and 7.0 steals his senior season. During that year, he also received a host of individual honors, including the Naismith Award as the nation's top high school player, and was named Player of the Year by Parade Magazine and USA Today. The all-time prep leader in assists (1,155) and the state’s sixth-best career scorer (2,661 points), Kidd also was voted California Player of the Year for the second time, as well as a McDonald's All-American, sharing MVP honors in the 1992 McDonald's All-American Game with Georgetown University-bound forward Othella Harrington.

After a highly publicized recruiting process, Kidd shocked many fans and pundits alike by choosing to attend the University of California, Berkeley -- a school that was coming off a 10-18 season and hadn’t won a Pac-10 title since 1959 -- over a slew of top-ranked collegiate programs including the University of Arizona, the University of Kentucky, the University of Kansas, and The Ohio State University.

College

During his first year at Cal, Kidd averaged 13.0 points, 7.7 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.8 steals per game which earned him national Freshman of the Year honors and a spot on the All Pac-10 Team, making him the fifth newcomer in conference history to do so. His 110 steals broke both the NCAA record for most steals by a freshman and set a school record for most steals in a season, while his 220 assists that season also was a school record. His play also was a key factor in the resurgence of Cal Basketball and helped The Golden Bears earn an NCAA Tournament bid, where they upset two-time defending National Champion Duke University in the second round of that tournament before losing to Kansas in the Sweet 16.

Despite enormous expectations stemming from his past season's success, Kidd continued his success as a sophomore, tallying averages of 16.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 9.1 assists, breaking his previous school record for most assists in a season with 272, while also leading the nation in that category. He was also selected a First Team All-American, the first Cal player to be so named since 1968, as well as Pac-10 Player of the Year, becoming the first sophomore to receive that honor. He also was named a finalist for both the Naismith and Wooden Awards as college basketball's top player and subsequently opted to enter the NBA Draft in 1994. In 2004, the University of California, Berkeley retired Kidd's number 5 jersey, cementing his place among the school's all-time greats.

NBA career

Rising star: From Dallas to Phoenix

Kidd was selected as the second pick overall by the Dallas Mavericks, behind Glenn Robinson of Purdue, and just ahead of Duke's versatile swingman Grant Hill. In his first year he averaged 11.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 7.7 assists, sharing 1995 NBA Rookie of the Year honors with Grant Hill of the Detroit Pistons. He was a member of the "Three J's" in Dallas along with Jim Jackson and Jamal Mashburn however, that plan did not come to fruition, as all three found themselves playing for other teams shortly thereafter. Kidd was traded to the Phoenix Suns along with Tony Dumas and Loren Meyer for Michael Finley, A.C. Green, and Sam Cassell during the 1996-97 season. In 2001, after five seasons in Phoenix in which the team made the playoffs each year under Kidd, he was traded to the New Jersey Nets for Stephon Marbury.

New Jersey Nets: 2001-2008

The 2001-02 season saw Kidd lead the Nets to a surprising 52-30 finish, and marked one of his best all-around seasons as he finished second to the Spurs' Tim Duncan in MVP voting. Many have argued that Kidd deserved to win the award because of his impact in New Jersey—transforming the Nets from perennial league doormats into championship contenders seemingly in the space of a single training camp. His contribution to the Nets during his first season in New Jersey was huge, and resulted in one of the greatest turnarounds in NBA history. He was also fortunate to join the team when he did, as the team reaped the benefits of the newly healthy Kenyon Martin, Kerry Kittles and Keith Van Horn; along with the trading of Eddie Griffin for Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins, and Brandon Armstrong.

Under Kidd's guidance, the young Nets team prospered through the playoffs and ended up advancing all the way to the Eastern Conference title and the franchise's first-ever appearance in the NBA Finals. However, New Jersey's season would end without an improbable NBA crown, as Kidd and the Nets were swept in four games by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers. New Jersey enjoyed another stellar season under the helm of Kidd's leadership in the 2002-03 NBA season, during which the team finished 49-33 and reached the NBA Finals once again, only to succumb to Tim Duncan's San Antonio Spurs in six games.

On July 1, 2004, Kidd underwent microfracture surgery to repair a damaged knee. He made a full recovery and returned to the court in December of that year, during which the Nets acquired star swingman Vince Carter from the Toronto Raptors. With the Nets hanging on the prospect of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2001 and with Jefferson injured, Carter and Kidd combined to fuel the team to a late regular-season surge that enabled them to inch past the Cleveland Cavaliers for the eighth and final playoff berth in the East. However, their season would come to an end early as they fell in four games to top-seeded Miami in the first round.

In the 2005-06 NBA season Kidd averaged 13.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.4 assists (5th in the league). Although he has aged, the 34-year old Kidd's skills don't appear to be diminished, especially on the defensive end. This is evident as he continues to hold some of the NBA's premier point guards to well below their respective performance levels . On February 1, 2007 Jason Kidd was named a reserve for the NBA All-Star game along with teammate Vince Carter. However, he missed the game because of a sore back.

On April 7 2007, Kidd and teammate Vince Carter became the first teammates to record triple-doubles in the same game since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen did it in 1989 for the Chicago Bulls. Kidd finished with 10 points, 16 rebounds, and 18 assists. In the 2006-07 postseason, Kidd notched his 10th postseason career triple double on April 27, 2007 in game three against the Toronto Raptors. He recorded 16 points on 50% field goal shooting, a playoff career high 19 assists, 16 rebounds, 3 steals, and a block, as the Nets defeated the Raptors 102-89. He tied Larry Bird for second All-time in career postseason triple-doubles. In the first round of the postseason, Kidd averaged 14.0 points, 13.2 assists, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals, as the Nets defeated the Raptors in six games. He joined Wilt Chamberlain and Magic Johnson as the only players in NBA history to average a triple-double in multiple playoff series. In Game 3 of the second round in the 2006-07 playoffs, Kidd recorded his 11th postseason triple-double with 23 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds, breaking the tie with Larry Bird for second place on the All-Time career list. For the postseason, Kidd averaged 14.6 points, 10.9 assists and 10.9 rebounds in twelve playoff games. He became the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire postseason.

In the 2007-08 NBA season, Kidd became the third player to get a triple-double in three straight games since 1989. He did so after he logged his 97th career triple-double in a 99-115 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats.

Kidd had been mentioned in trade rumors, notably to the Los Angeles Lakers last season, but the deal fell through when the Lakers refused to give up their young center Andrew Bynum. On January 28, 2008, Kidd revealed that his agent has been talking to the Nets' front office about a trade. On February 19, 2008, Kidd was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, the team that originally drafted him.

Return to Dallas Mavericks

Rumors had always gone around about Kidd being traded somewhere. February 13, 2008, rumors broke that Kidd was going to Dallas, but the trade fell through because of Devean George's (Larry) Bird rights. The trade was retooled, and a deal was imminent. The trade required Keith Van Horn coming out of retirement and Dallas giving $3 million dolllars in cash to balance the deal.

On February 19, 2008, Kidd was officially traded to the Dallas Mavericks along with Malik Allen and Antoine Wright for signed and traded Keith Van Horn, Devin Harris, DeSagana Diop, Trenton Hassell, Maurice Ager, $3 million cash and 2008 and 2010 first round picks.

USA Basketball

Jason Kidd's first participation in USA basketball came after his first season at University of California, Berkeley. He was the only freshman chosen to take part in Team USA's 10-member team. The team played 5 games in Europe and finished with a record of 3-2. Kidd tied for team highs in assists per game with 4.0, and steals per game with 1.4. He also had averages of 8.4 points per game, and 4.2 rebounds per game.

Kidd's next stint with USA basketball came in 1999 where he participated in the USA Olympic Qualifying Team. The team finished with an undefeated record of 10-0 resulting in a gold medal and earning a berth at the 2000 Olympics. Kidd averaged 7.4 ppg 6,8 apg, 4.4 rpg, 2.7 spg and again led the team in apg and spg.

In 2000, Kidd was appointed as one of team USA's tri-captains for the 2000 Olympics at Sydney, Australia. Kidd again led the team to an undefeated record of 8-0 which resulted in team USA winning the gold medal at the Olympic games. Kidd had averages of 6.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, and had team highs of 4.4 apg, and 1.1 spg. Kidd also had a FG% of 51.6 and shot 50% from 3-point.

On Nov of 2002, Kidd was selected to participate in the 2002 USA Basketball Men's World Championship Team. However, he had to withdraw from the team due to an injury.

Kidd came back the next year and participated at the 2003 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico. Kidd again led the team to a record of 10-0, bringing home the gold medal and a berth at the 2004 Olympics. Kidd started all 10 games and had averages of 3.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 5.9 apg, and 1.2 spg.

However, Jason Kidd again had to withdraw from the 2004 Olympic team due to another injury.

In 2007, Kidd participated in the 2007 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Kidd helped the team to a 10-0 record where he brought home another gold medal and a berth at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. Kidd had averages of 1.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.6 apg, and 1.3 spg. He also shot 60% from the field and 62.5% from 3-point. Kidd led the entire tournament with assist-to-turnover ratio of 9.20. With Kidd's help team USA averaged 116.7 ppg, and defeated their opponents by a margin of 39.5 ppg.

Jason Kidd has a impressive resume in USA basketball. In his professional career, he has an undefeated record of 38-0 (44-0 if counting exhibition games). He has brought home 4 gold medals; 3 from Olympic Qualifying Tournaments and 1 from the 2000 Olympic games.

Personal life

In January 2001, Jason Kidd was arrested and pleaded guilty to a domestic abuse charge for assaulting his wife Joumana in anger. As part of his plea, Kidd was ordered to attend anger management classes for six months. Kidd completed the mandatory counseling and continued to attend on his own and it was reported that Kidd has since given up alcohol. He and his wife were both active in their church and were thought to have completely reconciled. On January 9, 2007, Jason Kidd filed for divorce against his wife, citing "extreme cruelty" during their relationship. Kidd contended intense jealousy, paranoia, and the threat of "false domestic abuse claims" to the police as reasons for the divorce. On February 15, Joumana Kidd filed a counterclaim for divorce, claiming that the NBA star — among countless instances of abuse — "broke her rib and damaged her hearing by smashing her head into the console of a car". The couple have three children (Trey Jason (T.J.), and twins Miah and Jazelle).

NBA Career Stats

(As of February 19, 2008)

SEASON	TEAM	GP	MPG	SPG	BPG	RPG	APG	PPG	STL	BLK	OREB	DREB	TREB	AST	PTS	TD
1994-1995	Dallas	79	33.8	1.9	0.3	5.4	7.7	11.7	151	24	152	278	430	607	922	4
1995-1996	Dallas	81	37.5	2.2	0.3	6.8	9.7	16.6	175	26	203	350	553	783	1,348	9
1996-1997	Dallas/Phoenix	55	35.7	2.3	0.4	4.5	9.1	10.3	124	20	64	185	249	496	599	2
1997-1998	Phoenix	82	38.0	2.0	0.3	6.2	9.1	11.6	162	26	108	402	510	745	954	4
1998-1999	Phoenix	50	41.2	2.3	0.4	6.8	10.8	16.9	114	19	87	252	339	539	846	7
1999-2000	Phoenix	67	39.0	2.0	0.4	7.2	10.1	14.3	134	28	96	387	483	678	959	5
2000-2001	Phoenix	77	39.8	2.2	0.3	6.4	9.8	16.9	166	23	91	403	494	753	1,299	7
2001-2002	New Jersey	82	37.3	2.1	0.2	7.3	9.9	14.7	175	20	130	465	595	808	1,208	8
2002-2003	New Jersey	80	37.4	2.2	0.3	6.3	8.9	18.7	179	25	110	394	504	711	1,495	4
2003-2004	New Jersey	67	36.6	1.8	0.2	6.4	9.2	15.5	122	14	85	343	428	618	1,036	9
2004-2005	New Jersey	66	36.9	1.9	0.1	7.4	8.3	14.4	123	9	94	394	488	545	951	8
2005-2006	New Jersey	80	37.2	1.9	0.4	7.3	8.4	13.3	150	29	86	494	580	672	1,065	8
2006-2007	New Jersey	80	36.7	1.6	0.3	8.2	9.2	13.0	127	23	135	520	655	736	1,041	12
2007-2008	NJ/Dal	51	37.2	1.5	0.3	8.1	10.4	11.3	74	15	58	354	412	530	577	12
Career	Dal/Phx/NJ/Dal	997	37.4	2.0	0.3	6.7	9.2	14.4	1,962	294	1,499	5,221	6,720	9,221	14,300	100

TD = Triple Doubles

NBA highlights

• 9-time NBA All-Star: 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007 (2007-did not play due to back injury/cracked ribs), 2008
• 6-time All-NBA:

• First Team: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004
• Second Team: 2003

• 9-time All-Defensive Selection:

• First Team : 1999, 2001, 2002, 2006
• Second Team: 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007

• NBA co-Rookie of the Year: 1995 (with Grant Hill)
• NBA All-Rookie First Team: 1995
• 5-time NBA regular-season leader, assists per game: 1999 (10.8), 2000 (10.1), 2001 (9.8), 2003 (8.9), 2004 (9.2)
• 3-time NBA regular-season leader, total assists: 1999 (539), 2001 (753), 2003 (711)
• NBA regular-season leader, total steals: 2002 (175)
• NBA All-Star Skills Challenge champion: 2003

NBA milestones

• In NBA history:

• ranks 2nd in playoffs triple-doubles (11, as of May 12, 2007)
• ranks 3rd in regular season triple-doubles (99, as of February 8, 2008)
• ranks 4th in guard rebounds (6,669, as of January 29, 2008)
• ranks 5th in assist-per-game average (9.2, as of January 9, 2008)
• ranks 5th in assists (9,149, as of January 29, 2008)
• ranks 11th in steals (1,969, as of January 29, 2008)
• ranks 12th in steal-per-game average (2.02)
• ranks 12th in 3-pointers made (1,306, as of January 29, 2008)

• One of only two players in NBA history to record at least 14,000 points, 6,600 rebounds, and 9,000 assists in his playing career (the other is Oscar Robertson).
• In the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals vs. the Boston Celtics, Kidd averaged 17.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game, becoming one of only two players in NBA history to average a triple-double in a playoff series of six or more games (the other is Magic Johnson). Kidd did it again in the 2007 Eastern Conference First Round vs. the Toronto Raptors, averaging 14.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 13.2 assists per game.
• One of only five players in NBA history to lead the league in assist-per-game average for 3 consecutive seasons (the others are Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, John Stockton and Steve Nash).
• Holds New Jersey Nets franchise records for career 3-pointers (729), career assists (4,090), assists in a season (808), steals (876), triple-doubles (49), and triple-doubles in a season (12, 2006-2007).
• One of five players to average a triple-double for a playoff series, joining Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson and Fat Lever.
• One of only three players (Fat Lever, Wilt Chamberlain) in NBA history to post at least 15 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists in a playoff game.
• One of three players to average a triple-double for multiple playoff series, joining Magic Johnson and Wilt Chamberlain.
• Second player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire postseason. Kidd finished with averages of 14.6 points, 10.9 rebounds and 10.9 assists in 12 games during the 2007 NBA playoffs.
  • Joined Oscar Robertson who averaged 28.8 points, 11.0 assists and 11.0 rebounds in 4 games in a 3-1 first-round loss in 1962.
• Jason Kidd is the first person in 10 years to obtain a triple-double for 3 games in a row with 13 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds (1/08/2008).

Other

Olympic medal record
Men's Basketball
	Sydney, 2000	United States

• Member of the 2000 U.S.A. Dream Team which won gold at the Sydney Olympics.
• Member of the 2003 U.S.A. Basketball Men's Senior National Team.
• 1992 Naismith High School Player of the Year
• USA Today and Parade Magazine 1992 National High School Player of the Year
• Named to the USA Today All-time All-USA Second Team in 2003.
• Named First Team All-American as a sophomore at UC Berkeley.
• His number (5) was retired by the University of California in 2004
• Gold Medal with Team USA, Tournament of Americas Olympic Qualifiers
• Kidd is expected to play for USA basketball in the 2008 Olympic Games. Kidd is 38-0 in games played for USA basketball (44-0 including exhibition games)
• Was featured on the cover of NBA Live 2003.
• Named the USA Basketball's 2007 Male Athlete of the Year.

External links

• NBA.com Profile - Jason Kidd
• Jason Kidd Official Website
• Jason Kidd Instructional Video