Jason Kidd: 'Russell Westbrook is the Mike Tyson of basketball'

What's the story?

Jason Kidd, considered among the greatest point guards in league history, said Russell Westbrook, the reigning NBA MVP, is the Mike Tyson of basketball.

In case you didn't know

Kidd has an established legacy in the league as a point guard. He won his lone NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 and was named to 10 All-Star games and 6 All-NBA teams. He shared the Rookie of the Year award with Grant Hill in 1995.

The heart of the matter

Kidd's Bucks were slated to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Milwaukee on Tuesday night. Prior to that game, he shared this opinion with ESPN.

"When the jump ball [goes up], he is coming as Tyson did [in getting] off the stool,” Kidd told ESPN on Tuesday. “When the bell rings, he's coming for you. Whenever he's on the floor, he plays at one speed and that's fast and hard."

Westbrook only played 27 minutes in a game that quickly turned into a blowout. In that playing time, the reigning league MVP put up 12 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists with a +/- of +13. OKC's other All-Star duo of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony combined for 37 points in the road win.

What next?

After wrapping up a short three-game road trip (2-1), the Thunder head home to host the Boston Celtics on Friday before heading on the road for another three-game road trip. Milwaukee, meanwhile, played five of their seven games at home so far. They now embark on a four-game road trip.

Author's Take

With respect to the comparison, I believe it is a fair one because of how specific Kidd is being in terms of their similarities. The NBA fan base knows what a freak of nature Westbrook is, and Kidd heaping this praise on him, comparing him to another great athlete from another sport, just cements this point that much more.