To Jason Kidd's everlasting legacy

Jason Kidd #5, pictured here during his time with the New Jersey Nets, announced his retirement after 19 years in the league. (Getty Images)

A truly incredible journey that began 19 years ago has finally ended in the NBA. Just a few days after fellow draftee Grant Hill announced retirement, Jason Kidd called it quits. In a time where point guards thrive only if they score, Jason Kidd did it exceptionally well. But the kid from California also passed the ball, effectively, at that. And he did it a lot more effectively than any other point guard of his generation. At retirement, Kidd had more assists than anyone who graced the court since John Stockton. And it didn’t end there.

Kidd was recognized for qualities beyond just passing the basketball. He was a true champion on the court for sportsmanship. He remains the only player to win the coveted Sportsmanship of the Year Award for two consecutive seasons. And questions remain, had he remained for another season or two, would it be a three or four? In a day where players take competition to another extreme, Kidd took a rather quiet approach. They say players transform over years, some shoot more points letting go off their production in assists, while many stop playing defence to just focus on offense. Jason Kidd wasn’t any of that. Just how he entered the league as a reticent college junior in 1994, he leaves the same way.

The man’s best days were undoubtedly in New Jersey. Traded to a franchise whose other only known point guard in history was the late Drazen Petrovic, Kidd rejuvenated the Nets. As soon as he landed, he promised that the franchise would go from a 26 in the win column to a number more appreciable. Losing wasn’t a word in Kidd’s dictionary and neither was greed. He knew the only way the Nets were going to move forward in the NBA was to play the true game of basketball. Pass, pass, pass, defence, defence and defence – these were the principles that Kidd attested at New Jersey. In a span of two seasons, the productivity in the Nets organization sky rocketed. From a team grazing in the lottery, the Nets went to two straight NBA Finals. Kidd never won the MVP but to the state of New Jersey, he meant more than the measly award could to him.

Looking back at what Rod Thorn let go for Jason Kidd, it seems the trade was priceless. Thorn is best known as a NBA executive for drafting Michael Jordan at Chicago. But he will today also be thanked by the Garden State for bringing Jason Kidd to the Nets and New Jersey. A floor general, Kidd will be eulogized for not only putting triple-double numbers at New Jersey but for always bringing out the best from teammates.

Kidd’s days before the Nets shouldn’t be overlooked either. He was a Co-Rookie of the Year with Hill during his first stint at Dallas in 95. Drafted into a team that won 13 of its 82 games the season before, Kidd led the Mavericks to a 36-46 record, which was the largest improvement in the league. Kidd was also voted as a starter into the All-Star game in his rookie season, a feat achieved by only a select few. After two seasons, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns where his numbers didn’t drop. At Phoenix, he transformed a mediocre side into playoff contenders. His record there saw him picked into three All-Star games and he even led the NBA in assists for three consecutive years. After Phoenix, came the New Jersey veneration for Kidd, followed by a trip back to Dallas. And only at the team that first drafted him did he win that elusive NBA Championship in 2011.

Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki #41 and Jason Kidd #2 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrate with the Larry O’Brien Championship trophy after the Mavericks beat the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals. (Getty Images)

The manner in which Kidd won that crown deserves a mention as well. Put to guard a legend in the making named LeBron James, many feared Kidd’s age would get to him. LeBron was hitting his prime, way quicker than Kidd and had enough muscle to lift a monster truck. But Kidd played the game like he always does. Pass the ball, take a shot when needed and play strong defence. In a series that saw Dirk Nowitzki run the show, not many will forget the contribution of Kidd. Throughout the playoffs, Kidd was put by Rick Carlisle to guard the likes of Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant and finally, James. And not once did he let his coach down; Kidd won every duel. Calm, principled and composed – not many could ravel the silent storm from Oakland, California.

Kidd finished his career with the New York Knicks. He helped a side plagued by injuries and inconsistency reach the second round of playoffs. And although considered a disappointment, the Knicks wouldn’t have reached that far hadn’t it been for their real floor general. No, Carmelo Anthony does have his support cast and a certain Jason Frederick Kidd to thank.

Kidd, throughout his career took an altruistic approach to the game of basketball. Even at retirement, he spoke the same way that defined his future Hall-of-Fame career. In a statement released by the New York Knicks, Kidd said, “My time in professional basketball has been an incredible journey, but one that must come to an end after 19 years. As I reflect on my time with the four teams I represented in the NBA, I look back fondly at every season and thank each every one of my teammates and coaches that joined me on the court.”

To Jason Kidd, the one among few, who showed us how to best play the game.