Value of Kidd: Waking up from a dream

Buck Harvey<br>
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San Antonio Express-News <br>
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Web Posted : 06/05/2002 12:00 AM <br>
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LOS ANGELES — Those around the Nets say it's still possible, if not probable.<br>
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Jason Kidd to San Antonio in a year.<br>
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Even New Jersey's remarkable playoff run hasn't changed that thinking. Kidd has publicly said as much.<br>
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And if it happens, the Spurs would have their dream. Tim Duncan would likely finish his career in South Texas with Kidd, the one who finished second to him in the MVP race.<br>
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But there's another side to the dream. The Suns saw it before, and this side still exists, hidden now by New Jersey's success in the East.<br>
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This side?<br>
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It's about how Kidd plays. And how Kidd ages.<br>
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This is heresy to even discuss today. Kidd survived a head-on collision against Charlotte, then the taunting of his family in Boston, and now he's healed a terminally ill franchise.<br>
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Better yet, he plays the game as it should be played. No wonder he and Duncan connected. Kidd can shoot 37 percent and still control the floor. The same Derek Fisher who struggled against Tony Parker and Mike Bibby will struggle some more, and don't be shocked if Kidd steals Game 1 from the tired Lakers.<br>
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But when the New York area is involved, so is hype. Kidd has now been anointed as an unstoppable, Yankee-like force of destiny worth at least one as-told-to book.<br>
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Isn't he the best player in the game? Shouldn't he have been the MVP? Celtics coach Jim O'Brien joined in last week, saying the West is in for "a rude awakening."<br>
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It's as if Kidd didn't grow up in California, didn't play college ball in California, didn't start his NBA career in Dallas, didn't play five seasons in Phoenix.<br>
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Rude awakening?<br>
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Shaq and Kobe have eliminated him before.<br>
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Kidd was better this season. Those in Phoenix say that, as does the Nets exec who traded for Kidd.<br>
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"Out in Phoenix," said Rod Thorn, "he always threw it to somebody else or he just didn't make those kinds of shots."<br>
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Out in Phoenix, Kidd also didn't drive the middle to find only Tony Battie in his way. Life was different with the Suns.<br>
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In five seasons in Phoenix, Kidd made it out of the first round only once. Shawn Kemp, then in his prime in Seattle, knocked him out first. Then came Duncan as a rookie, then Rasheed Wallace and Portland, then Chris Webber and Sacramento.<br>
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The one time Kidd got to the second round was in 2000, when Duncan was out. Kidd, too, was hurt, and couldn't play against the Spurs until the fourth game of that series.<br>
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In the next round, with everyone healthy, Shaq took out Kidd in five games.<br>
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In the taller, deeper, better West, Kidd was rarely a viable MVP candidate. The highest he ever finished in the voting was fifth, in 1999.<br>
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Duncan, in contrast, has been in the top five every year he's been in the league. He's also finished first, second and third, and that's why the East Coast outrage about Duncan's trophy is so twisted.<br>
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What changed this year?<br>
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Kidd? Or his conference?<br>
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The top four teams in the Western Conference would have won the East this season. Maybe the top six would have, as well, if not every playoff team in the West. Wouldn't eighth-seeded Utah have pressed the Nets?<br>
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Kidd still made big plays, and he made them in fourth quarters. The Spurs, in particular, should want such a player.<br>
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But the Suns liked Kidd, too. The wife-beating incident certainly changed the franchise's thinking, and the 911 phone call was especially disturbing. The he's-done-worse comment from his wife made the Suns wonder about the depth of the problem.<br>
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Still, the Suns didn't make this trade just for character (Stephon Marbury is proof). They factored in money, and how Kidd couldn't take the next step in the West, and how old Kidd will be next summer when his contract is up.<br>
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Then, at age 30, Kidd can get a six-year contract from the Spurs or a seven-year one from the Nets. That extra year might be the difference-maker even after New Jersey taxes are included. A seventh year will be worth at least $20 million to Kidd.<br>
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So if Kidd comes to South Texas, the Spurs' approximate $100 million package would be lower. It would also be a bargain if Kidd played those six years as he did this season.<br>
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But what's the chance of that? Kidd has never been a shooter, the reason he isn't Duncan's ideal match. So what happens when Kidd is 34, 35 and 36 years old? Can he chase down loose balls, attack defenses, rebound? Will his game age well?<br>
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Meanwhile, Parker will be 21 next summer. Can Parker and Kidd play together?<br>
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So a dream is possible.<br>
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As well as another side to it.<br>
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bharvey@express-news.net<br>
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06/05/2002 <br>
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Excellent article. A lot has been made of Kidd saying he would like to play with Tim. This leads to the anything-to-win-now-and-don't-worry-about-the-future vs. the plan-for-the-long-haul debate. This is better know as The Tale of the Ant and the Grasshopper.<br>
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I've always identified with the Ant. That means I would rather keep Tony and groom, mold, teach, and nurture him. He will be an all-star and can play for the Spurs for 15 years; longer than Tim will be around.<br>
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The Grasshoppers want to get Kidd because he is shining now. He has 6 maybe 7 years left and in the NBA, after 30, it's patch, patch, patch.<br>
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I was particularly struck by Harvey's observation that Kidd looks so good because of the conference he's in. He probably wouldn't be shining so brightly if he was still in the West.<br>
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<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><b><i>Quote:</i></b><hr> Can Parker and Kidd play together? - Harvey<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br>
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I don't think so. Kidd is not a good enough shooter to play SG. Tony is too good to be relegated to a back-up role. That would be a major insult after the way he played this year. We would lose him after his rookie contract is up. <br>
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We have a great PG. We need to use our cap money for a swingman and/or big man, not a max contract for Kidd.<br>
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Kidd plays a whole lot better in the East. Let him stay there. <br>
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I totally agree - I am ant as well. I was talking about this very subject at the gym yesterday. I think we need a Center to replace DROB first and foremost. I would also like to see us pick up a young small forward that has allstar potential that Bruce can teach his defensive expertise to. <br>
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The only problem is I've heard rumblings that TD REALLY wants Kidd in SA, and whatever Timmy wants the SPurs will move heaven and Earth to get. <p><center><a href=http://pub61.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937><img src=http://www.boomspeed.com/spurscentral/SCsig3.jpg></a></center> </p><i></i>

I too am an ant. I think the Spurs need a center, a shooting guard and a small forward to back up Bowen (a young Elliott-great defender and 10-15 points on offense). I like what I saw in Tony and think there is nothing but an upside to him. If he continues to develop and gains more confidence, we have what we need at point. So why go get a 30 year old Kidd, except to appease TD. <p></p><i></i>

I completely agree that the cash would be better spent elsewhere. There will be a few bigmen out there that would be a more valuable addition to this team than Kidd. I think that Tony and Kidd could coexist quite nicely though, if it were to somehow happen. <p><center><a href=http://pub61.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937><img src=http://www.sahoops.net/SCsig1.jpg></a></center></p><i></i>

Uh - oh........ Tim sounds like a Grasshopper. Does that say anything about his long term plans or am I just feeling paranoid today?<br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><b> BiggDrew</b><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->, how do you see Tony and Kidd co-existing - with one of them playing SG or with one coming off the bench? Which one?<br>
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I've been reading that Bonzi Wells wants out of Portland. I'm willing to debate his fit in the locker room, but no doubt that he would look good next to Tony on the court. <br>
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(After last night's game, I think Buck Harvey really does have Kidd's number!) <p></p><i></i>

I do think that if we can sign Kidd then we should do it, but if we have a chance to sign another star big man(McDyess O'neal) instead of Kidd then we should do it. <p>Go Bowen!!<BR>

<img src="http://www.boomspeed.com/nz_spurs/SpursFanIsrael1.jpg"></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub61.ezboard.com/uspursfanisrael.showPublicProfile?language=EN>SpursFanIsrael</A>  <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://www.psypoke.com/pictures/anigifs/ani_poliwhirl.gif" BORDER=0> at: 6/8/02 6:28:06 pm<br></i>

Well Rily, I see Kidd starting at SG if the situation were to arise. I know he can't shoot like a SG, but he can sure as hell defend any SG in the league. He and Tony would both be available to handle, and either one could distribute at any time. Tony is naturally more of a scorer than a passer, though he is perfectly capable of playing either role (passer or scorer). Tony's D on PGs can not be questioned. The man has proven that he can defend the best. If Tony's scoring ability is an issue, I am not sure why. He has proven that he can score on the best of the best... (ask Payton). It would not be a traditional lineup, but would be very effective. Both players can score. Both can defend. Both can handle and run (transition or half court). Both are extremely quick with the ball and are very unselfish. With a man like Tim anchoring the floor, that backcourt would be one of the most feared in the league, and certainly a blast to watch. <br>
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...Yeah, I know it is far fetched... but it works for me. <p><center><a href=http://pub61.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937><img src=http://www.sahoops.net/SCsig1.jpg></a></center></p><i></i>

I think Tony is going to improve exponentially while Kidd is at his prime right now. And he looks much better in the East than he ever did in the West even though he has always been a top tier point guard.<br>
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Remember we already have a starting SF (if we get him re-signed) who is a defensive specialists and contributes limited points per game. I don't think we can afford to have a starting SG as a defensive specialists also. Tim can't score all the points. <br>
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It was obvious last season that we desperately needed another scorer. Defense is good. (And there will never be a Pop coached team that doesn't honor defense.) But we have to get someone who can help Tim rack up points. <br>
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What a position for the Spurs to be in! It is unbelieveable to pass on an all-star point guard. Will Tony become an all-star? Life is a gamble. <br>
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I just don't see Tony and Kidd playing together. I think Tony would feel the pressure and Kidd would feel frustrated. I honestly don't think either one would flourish.<br>
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IMO what we need are two young big guys. Both a center/PF and a good young SG. Now if you did get Kidd he could be a tandem in the backcourt with TP at the PG and Kidd at the SG. If we could get Jermaine O'Neal and a Jason Kidd (for example) we would be doing very well. <p><img src="http://spursman.freeservers.com/Sub_1.gif"><img src="http://spursman.freeservers.com/LAL.gif"><img src="http://spursman.freeservers.com/shoot.gif"></p><i></i>

Jason Kidd a Spur in 2003?<br>
Word among Spurs fans is that it is a very high probability.<br>
Already some are drooling over the thought of Kidd and Duncan playing together. I can just hear the comparisons being made between the Duncan and Kidd combo versus the Shaq and Kobe tag-team.<br>
But wait a minute. Weren’t Spurs fans drooling over the thought of Duncan and Tony Parker playing together for several years? <br>
What happens to Tony Parker should Kidd arrive in San Antonio in a year? After all, both Kidd and Parker play the same position. Does Parker get traded? Does Gregg Popovich bench him in favor of Kidd? Do Kidd and Parker play in the backcourt together?<br>
These are questions Spurs management must answer before they decide to even go after Jason Kidd in the free agency market. And before they can consider the answers to those questions they must first see how Parker’s game develops over the course of the next year. But foremost, they must consider whether Kidd will be their first choice among the free agents available. After all, won’t the Spurs need to search for an offense generating perimeter player first? How about a big man to replace the then retired David Robinson?<br>
There is also one other thing to consider when it comes to Jason Kidd. His age.<br>
Jason Kidd in the summer of 2003 will be 30 years of age. Tony Parker will be 21. Take it further into the future. Should Kidd sign a six-year contract with the Spurs, he’ll be 36 at the end of that contract and maybe slowing down. Parker on the other hand will be 27 and hopefully will have another 10 years left in him. So, which one will be able to contribute to Tim Duncan’s and the team’s success the longest?<br>
Can Kidd and Parker co-exist? Some say yes. Others say Parker may not like playing second fiddle to Kidd, and hence cause problems for the Spurs coaches. Will Gregg Popovich be able to convince Parker that sharing time with Kidd at the point guard spot will be in the team’s best interest and at the same time keep Parker happy? And I am not sure if either Kidd or Parker would be able to play the shooting guard position effectively. Either way, can the Spurs risk losing Parker when he becomes a free agent in 2005 because Kidd and Parker can’t co-exist? <br>
Trading Tony Parker may not help either. Due to Parker’s rookie contract he doesn’t make enough for the Spurs to receive anything of value in return. And even if they could get another player in return for Parker, they would still be trading away a 21-year-old point guard with NBA starting experience.<br>
The Spurs may be hard pressed to turn away a Jason Kidd, especially if other free agents have no interest in joining the Spurs. After all, Kidd is another superstar player. And while Kidd shoots only 37 percent he can still control and run the floor. Teaming him up with Tim Duncan may be just what the Spurs need to get them over the hump and back into the NBA Finals.<br>
Then again, after another year of experience, might not Tony Parker be able to do the same?<br>
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All good points MR Carmen..........I think what the Spurs do will hinge on what TD wants. I am hoping he thinks enough of Parker to stick with him. <p></p><i></i>

We need to wait and see how Tony develops and then decide... <p>Go Bowen!!<BR>

<img src="http://www.boomspeed.com/nz_spurs/SpursFanIsrael1.jpg"></p><i></i>

Keep Tony, don´t take Kidd, instead try to get O´Neal or some other playmaker. <p>"David Robinson represents everything that is good in the world, and everything that is good in the world of sports," former NBA star and current NBC commentator Bill Walton said. "We can never thank him enough for his leadership. Everything he did represents the great values you look for in a human being. We are going to miss him terribly."
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The Cliipers have a penchant for screwing the SPurs over, but would Olowokandi be someone they are considering? I have heard that O'Neil is too banged up........ <p></p><i></i>