The Brooklyn Nets Take a Gamble with Jason Kidd

Jason Kidd was recently hired as the Head Coach of the Brooklyn Nets. J-Kidd recently played his last season with the New York Knicks. Being the floor general that Kidd is it seems like it will be an easy transition for the future hall of famer.

Coaching in this day in age is more about managing egos, and making the proper adjustments on the floor. Kidd, who has a close relationship with point guard Deron Williams, should be excited to learn from one of the All-Time greats.

General Manager Billy King wants to think that the Nets are an upper-echelon team, but in reality they aren’t. The Nets may have a high payroll, but they are far from a finished product. Winning in Brooklyn will not be easy.

With the Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks ahead of the pack it is hard to see the Nets becoming more than a middle of the pack team. Kidd will have a great impact, and the players will respect Kidd due to his credentials in the game of basketball.

Former players always try their hand at coaching. Star players have not had the luck in coaching similar to players that were previously role players. Former players like Doc Rivers, Phil Jackson, and Pat Riley were role players who turned into great coaches.

Stars like Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, and Elgin Baylor did not fare well when on the sidelines. Not saying that Kidd will flop as a head coach, but history is not on his side.

I believe that if there is any player that can buck the trend it is Jason Kidd. Guys like Patrick Ewing, Brian Shaw, and Sam Cassell will have to continue to wait patiently for their number to be called.

This is the second summer that Brooklyn has made noise in the off-season, let’s hope it translates to the regular season.

The hiring of Jason Kidd will be criticized due to his lack of coaching experience. Will the Nets win a title during his tenure? Probably not, but this is a coach that the players will have the utmost respect for.

With Jason Kidd’s 19 years of experience, and being that he was a point guard I think he will make a smooth transition. Good job Brooklyn, I think Kidd was worth the risk.

The great Jason Kidd unlaces his Nike’s

First Grant Hill hangs up his Fila’s, now Jason Kidd hangs up the Nike’s. It seems like my childhood is ending right before my eyes. Dog I’m getting old but that’s besides the point.

Kidd played for 19 seasons after being drafted in 1994, yeah think about it man that’s a long time. Kidd played for the Mavs 2xs, Suns, New Jersey Nets and Knicks. He also was co rookie of the year with Grant Hill, an All Star 10xs, All NBA Defensive 9xs (1st or 2nd), All NBA 6xs (1st or 2nd team) and an owner of one NBA Title.

Kidd was never a lethal scorer but he made due. He was a master creator for his teammates on the floor, he will be remembered most for his great passing ability, one of the greatest point guards to ever play. For his lack of scoring he made up for it with the hands of a ninja on defense plus the size to guard multiple positions.  Kidd even had a few pair of dope Nike’s which didn’t hurt his fan appeal either.

Don’t hold Kidd’s last year against him, this guy got many players max deals with his ability, Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson probably are thanking him as I write for their hefty bank accounts right now. Once I got to college I tried to base my game off of his style, I called it a fusion between him and Dre Miller. Kidd was dope man, enjoy your free time, the Hall of Fame will be waiting on you.

NBA’s Top 5 Point Guards

Now that the NBA season is over and we, the fan’s, are not caught up in the moment of the most recent playoff game anymore, I’m going to make a top point guard list. We all know PG’s are very important to teams, good, bad or solid they are the engine that makes the car run or not run.

Before I get into this list I want to exclude a few PG’s that have put in too much work to be included in this list. Steve Nash, the 2x MVP and 7x All-Star could be anywhere from 1-3 on the list no matter how you cut it. Jason Kidd,the 38 year old is a 10x all-star former rookie of the year and recent NBA Champ, who isn’t top 5 now but is a sure-fire hall of famer and still player a high level. Chauncey Billups, 4x all-star, NBA Champion and Finals MVP, a floor leader who has a championship ring under his belt like Kidd wouldn’t be top 5 but you still have to respect the work he has put in over his entire career. Tony Parker, who has been apart of the Tim Duncan dynasty in San Antonio, the (3x) All-Star and NBA Champ is only 29 years old but has been playing for 10 years. Andre Miller, the 1x NBA season assist leader, an under appreciated player and also one of my favorite players who wouldn’t be on the list either but has put in enough work to get some respect. He probably will be the less likely member of the excluded group, but he is a solid player who has made a lot of players better.

We going to start the list from 5 down to 1.

5. Rajon Rondo- Boston Celtics. Rondo is the best defensive guard on the list. He’s a great passer and finisher at the rim. One-time NBA Champion, the glue that keeps the big 3 happy in Celtic-land. 2x all-star, has the most extra accolades but the main reason Rondo is so low on the list is his jump shot.  He shoots under 65% at the free-throw line and that is a not good for a person who is a main ball handler. His jump shot hasn’t gotten much better, during his tenure in the league defenders still play way off of him because of this weakness. If Rondo goes to the Westbrook-Rose shooting camp this summer he may be able to shoot up this list.

4. Russell Westbrook– Oklahoma City Thunder– A hard worker coming into the league people didn’t think he could play the point. Athletic enough to play the 2 guard Westbrook isn’t a pure pg, but not really too many people are nowadays. He is definitely learning the position at a fast pace, actually has developed some sort of outside shot. The man is a one man fast break, can block shots, get steals, and clean the glass. The 1st time all-star definitely improved at the summer games were the USA took gold. With his ability and work ethic the sky is the limit.

38 Special

38 isn’t a large number by any means. 38 years old isn’t old by regular living standards. However, 38 years old as a basketball player is ancient. To be able to still be playing professionally at this age and at a high level is amazing. Jason Kidd, the Dallas Mavericks starting point guard, is currently accomplishing all of these feats. Did you think this post was gonna be about a 6 shooter .38 caliber gun?