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Jason Kidd

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Jason Frederick Kidd (born March 23, 1973 in Oakland, California) is currently the starting point guard for the New Jersey Nets of the NBA. He led the Nets to two consecutive NBA Finals appearances (2002 and 2003) and is considered one of the best players in the game today, being a regular triple-double threat and in fact is fourth all-time for triple-doubles in the NBA, with a career total of 69 as of January 10, 2006.

NBA Career

Born the son of Steve and Anne Kidd of Oakland California, the oldest of 3 children, he was raised in a typical upper middle class suburb of the Bay Area (Oakland Hills) and excelled in Soccer as well as other sports his whole youth. His father was African American and his mother a full blooded Irish Catholic. After graduating from St. Joseph Notre Dame High School in Alameda, California, Kidd attended the University of California, Berkeley for two years before opting to enter the NBA Draft in 1994. He was selected as the second pick overall by the Dallas Mavericks, behind Glenn Robinson of Purdue; that year he shared NBA Rookie of the Year honors with Grant Hill of the Detroit Pistons who was picked third. He was a member of the "Three J's" in Dallas along with Jim Jackson and Jamal Mashburn, and it was hoped that the trio would lead Dallas for years to come; however, that plan was not to come to fruition, as all three found themselves playing for other teams shortly thereafter.

He was traded to the Phoenix Suns along with Tony Dumas and Loren Meyer for Michael Finley, A.C. Green, and Sam Cassell during the 1996–1997 season and later to the New Jersey Nets for Stephon Marbury. Kidd was named to the All-NBA First Team for four consecutive seasons (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002). He also made the All-NBA First Team in 2004. He is also a seven-time All-Star, making the game in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004, being voted by the fans as a starter for four of those games. Kidd also led the NBA in assists for five seasons (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004). Additionally he is also a 2 time Olympics Basketball Champion.

The 2001–02 season saw Kidd finish second to the Spurs' Tim Duncan in MVP voting. Many have argued that Kidd was the more deserving candidate due to the dramatic turnaround he helped perform in New Jersey—transforming the Nets from perennial doormats into championship contenders seemingly in the space of a single training camp. His turn around of the NJ nets, alone, was one of the most significant turnarounds in NBA history, and most impressive about it was that the team had otherwise remained the same as their previous disastrous year excepting his being traded to them.

He was in his High School years sometimes sarcastically referred to as "Ason Kidd" as his J (jump shot) can go missing at vital stages, but this didn't stop him from achieving co-rookie of the year and #1 NBA draft out of Cal. Overall however, Kidd has demonstrated both a strong will to win and the ability to do whatever is needed towards that end, as manifested in such ways as his perennially-strong Player Efficiency Rating and the number of wins his teams compile. Many players have considered it a great privilege to play with Kidd because of his ability to make other players look good, primarily through his much-heralded passing skills. He has also demonstrated both an ability to submerge his ego towards the goal of team success and to empower his teammates through low-key and good-natured yet firm leadership. This has made him a favorite among coaches and those who understand the game's strategy. Though not a consistent shooter, Kidd does possess above average three-point shooting ability and the ability to be a complementary scorer, he averages in the teens which while not superstar level, is significantly better than is asked of a true point guard. He is however first and foremost focused on getting the ball to where it is best needed. Overall he is recognized as one of the top point guards of the NBA's history, the best in the past decade and arguably a rare breed in this day and age and somewhat of a throwback type. In many ways his career has been hampered by the fact that he hasn't had team mates able to capitalize on his role as a superb point guard.

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.

Trivia

Dated Gabrielle Union when they were in high school together. Attended Catholic schools most of his life, and donated significantly to his alma mater.

In January 2001, Jason Kidd was arrested and pleaded guilty to a domestic abuse charge for assaulting his wife in anger. As part of his plea, Jason was ordered to attend anger management classes for a short period of time. Kidd completed the mandatory counseling and continued to attend on his own. It is reported that he has since given up alcohol. He and his wife are both active in their church and have completely reconciled. The couple has three children and are living happily in New Jersey.

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