After weeks of negotiations between the Dallas Mavericks and the New Jersey Nets, a trade agreement was met this Wednesday which, among other things, sent Nets veteran Jason Kidd back to his draft team. Way back in 1994, Kidd was picked up by the Mavericks as the second overall pick in the NBA Draft, but traded just two years later to the Phoenix Suns. Four productive seasons later, during which
Already a league-leading player, it was
Kidd made good on that promise, leading the Nets to a terrific 52-30 record in the ’01-’02 season, earning them only their second playoff berth in the last eight seasons.
But the Nets didn’t just make the playoffs…they battled all the way to their first-ever NBA Finals appearance. Despite losing in four straight games to the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, featuring the unstoppable duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, it was a franchise-changing year for the Nets, mostly thanks to Kidd’s leadership.
So after five seasons at .500 or better, including back-to-back NBA Finals appearances, the New Jersey Nets have finally struck a deal with the Dallas Mavericks, and Jason Kidd is back to where he started.
As a fan myself, I'm a New Yorker at heart, but I've attended countless Nets games over the past two decades, and I've certainly seen them struggle through some rough times. But when Kidd came in 2001, I remember it was like watching a whole new team. All of a sudden, he used to make the two or three games I would see every year more about the Nets than the visiting team, and for that, he will be missed.
Kidd began his tenure with the Mavs last night in New Orleans, posting eight points, six rebounds and five assists in a 104-93 loss to the Hornets.
2 comments:
THis was a really good move by the NEts. Kidd is getting really old and they needed to deal him and try to get something for the team. I do not know how much kidd will help out but he is a solid point gaurd to add to your roster.
As much as Kidd was vital to the Nets, it was important to get rid of him while they were still able to get something for him in return. It was a smart move by the front office to clear cap space, and to get rid of aging players. This should be something the Knicks should look into if they're going to be a good team anytime soon.
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