Jason Kidd (Part 1)

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17 Mar 2024

Jason Kidd (Part 1)

Jason Frederick Kidd, born on March 23, 1973, is a distinguished American professional basketball coach and former player, currently serving as the head coach for the Dallas Mavericks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Revered as one of the greatest point guards and passers in the history of the game, Kidd boasts an illustrious career adorned with numerous accolades.
Throughout his playing days, Kidd was a fixture at the NBA All-Star Game, earning selection 10 times. He also secured recognition as a five-time All-NBA First Team member and a nine-time NBA All-Defensive Team member. Kidd's prowess on the court culminated in an NBA championship victory in 2011 with the Dallas Mavericks. Additionally, he represented the United States national team, clinching gold medals in the Olympics in 2000 and 2008. In honor of his exceptional contributions, Kidd was enshrined as a player in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Kidd's journey in the NBA commenced when he was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks as the second overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft. He quickly made his mark, earning co-NBA Rookie of the Year honors alongside Grant Hill in his debut season. Subsequently, Kidd showcased his talents for the Phoenix Suns from 1996 to 2001, followed by a tenure with the New Jersey Nets from 2001 to 2008. It was with the Nets that Kidd led his team to consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. Amidst the 2007–08 season, Kidd returned to the Mavericks, where he secured his lone NBA championship at the age of 38, defeating the Miami Heat in the 2011 finals.

Following the conclusion of his playing career with the New York Knicks in 2013, Kidd seamlessly transitioned to coaching. He assumed the role of head coach for the Brooklyn Nets in the subsequent season after their relocation from New Jersey. After a stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, Kidd enjoyed success as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, contributing to their NBA championship victory in 2020. In a notable return to the Mavericks organization in 2021, Kidd assumed the helm as the franchise's head coach, guiding them to the Western Conference finals in his inaugural season.
Kidd's multifaceted skill set made him a perennial triple-double threat on the court, earning him a place among the NBA's elite. He retired ranked third all-time in regular-season triple-doubles with a career total of 107 and third in playoff triple-doubles with 11. Additionally, Kidd holds the second position on the NBA's all-time lists for career assists and steals, solidifying his legacy as one of the game's greatest playmakers.

Jason Kidd was born in San Francisco and grew up in an affluent neighborhood in Oakland. His father, Steve, was African-American, while his mother, Anne, hailed from an Irish-American background. As a youngster, Kidd's basketball talent was evident, and he drew attention from AAU teams and tournaments, earning numerous all-star and MVP honors. He honed his skills at the East Oakland Youth Development Center and frequently competed on the city courts of Oakland, often facing off against future Basketball Hall of Famer Gary Payton.

At St. Joseph Notre Dame High School in Alameda, under the tutelage of coach Frank LaPorte, Kidd led the Pilots to back-to-back state championships. His senior season saw him excel, averaging an impressive stat line of 25 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds, and 7 steals per game. Kidd's stellar performance earned him a plethora of individual accolades, including the prestigious Naismith Award for the nation's top high school player. He was also named Player of the Year by PARADE and USA Today. Finishing as the all-time leader in assists (1,155) among high school players and ranking seventh in career scoring in the state of California (2,661 points), Kidd was recognized as California Player of the Year for the second time and earned selection as a McDonald's All-American. In 2012, he was further honored as one of the 35 Greatest McDonald's All Americans.

Despite offers from several top-tier collegiate programs, Kidd made a surprising decision to attend the University of California, Berkeley. This choice was unexpected, given Cal's struggling basketball program at the time, with a 10–18 record and no conference titles since 1960. Nevertheless, Kidd's decision to stay close to home and revitalize the Cal basketball program demonstrated his confidence and belief in his abilities to make an impact at the collegiate level.

In his inaugural season with the Golden Bears, Jason Kidd showcased his remarkable talents on the basketball court, averaging impressive numbers of 13.0 points, 7.7 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.8 steals per game. His exceptional performance earned him national Freshman of the Year honors and secured him a spot on the All-Pac-10 team. Kidd's impact extended beyond individual accolades as he played a pivotal role in the resurgence of Cal basketball. His 110 steals during the season set an NCAA record for most steals by a freshman and established a new school record for steals in a season. Additionally, Kidd's 220 assists also set a school record. Under his leadership, the Golden Bears earned an NCAA Tournament bid and made headlines by upsetting two-time defending national champion Duke in the second round before falling to Kansas in the Sweet 16.

Building on his freshman success, Kidd continued to excel during his sophomore year. He elevated his game to new heights, boasting averages of 16.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 steals, and 9.1 assists per game. Kidd's stellar performance earned him recognition as a First Team All-American, marking the first time a Cal player had received such an honor since 1968. Additionally, he was named Pac-10 Player of the Year, becoming the first sophomore to earn this prestigious accolade. Despite his individual achievements, the Golden Bears suffered an upset in the NCAA Tournament as a fifth seed, falling to Dick Bennett's Wisconsin–Green Bay team in the first round.

Kidd's outstanding contributions to collegiate basketball did not go unnoticed, as he was named a finalist for both the Naismith and Wooden Awards, recognizing him as one of the top players in college basketball. Subsequently, Kidd made the decision to enter the NBA draft in 1994, marking the beginning of his professional career. In recognition of his impact on Cal basketball, the university retired Kidd's number 5 jersey in 2004, immortalizing his legacy within the program.