Jason Kidd retires from the NBA after 19 seasons



After 19 years of playing in NBA, Jason Kidd finally declared its retirement. This hall of famer point guard who represented four NBA teams and team USA will always be remembered for his incredible passing ability.

In an interview in ESPNNewYork.com, Kidd verbalized that it is the right time to retire. According to him, "When you think about 19 years, it has been a heckuva ride. Physically, I want to be able to participate in activities with my kids so it has taken a toll. It is time to move on and think about maybe coaching or doing some broadcasting.”

Kidd who averages 6.3 rebounds, 12.6 points, 1.93 steals and his famous 8.7 assists in 1,391 games was awarded rookie of the year in 1994-95 together with Grant Hill. He was picked by Dallas Mavericks because of his speed, size and incredible passing skills. According to Adi Joseph of USA TODAY Sports, “Kidd's playing style was irresistible, and he finished with 12,091 assists and 2,684 steals, both second in NBA history.”

But despite these figures and appraisals, Kidd still emphasized that winning a game is still the most important part of success. In an interview in ESPNNewYork.com, he stated that, "The biggest thing is winning and no matter what percentage, no matter what my numbers say in the sense of points, assists, rebounds and steals, it's always been about winning. And it will always be about winning … making my teammates better." This attitude made Kidd lead some of the teams in NBA.

After placing the Mavericks in a 36-win season with 23-game improvement, he then led the Suns to a 16-game improvement in 1997-98. When he was in Nets, he encouraged his team to pursue their dreams of winning. This result to a 26-game improvement compared to the previous season. Kidd said to the ESPNNewYork.com that, "What we accomplished in New Jersey with the Nets, from the bottom and being able to get to the Finals, back to back, that was really special."

Now, as he finishes the 2 years contract with the Knicks, the team’s management is hopeful they could find someone who is as skilful and determined to win as Jason Kidd. Woodson, the coach of New York Knicks also expresses his acknowledgement to Jason Kidd’s announcement. He said, “Jason Kidd provided an incredible voice inside our locker room and I considered it an honour to say I coached him.”

As for Jason Kidd’s last words in ESPNNewYork.com, he said, "It's a grind," Kidd said of playing all these years. "Physically, I feel good. Mentally, I might be just a little tired because of the grind. And once if your mind is not into it 100 percent, then you are not going to be successful and bad things can happen with the sense of injuries. I don't want to go down that road. It is time for me to look forward to doing something new."


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