Jason Kidd: Getting Better With Age
It has become common knowledge that once NBA players start to age, their skills and their value start to decline.
For Jason Kidd, however, that has not been the case.
While it is true that he is no longer as quick or as explosive as he once was during his prime years with the New Jersey Nets, Kidd is still a very solid point guard.
Even at the age of 39, Kidd's leadership and playmaking abilities make him a valuable asset to have on any team.
Ever since leaving the Dallas Mavericks to sign with the New York Knicks, Kidd has been averaging 7 points to go along with 3.
4 assists and 4 rebounds a game this season.
Not exactly impressive numbers when you look at them, but it's what he does that don't appear on the stat sheets which really count.
Even at his age, Kidd is still a very capable defender and is quite the thief as well, averaging a respectable 1.
7 steals per game this season.
He is good at setting up teammates, something that we have all grown accustomed to seeing him doing, he is always willing to make the extra pass, and his leadership on the court speaks volumes.
Earlier in his career, Kidd was criticized for having an inconsistent jump shot.
Critics even went as far as to call him "Ason Kidd" because he had no "J," which is basketball slang for "jump shot.
" He would work hard to improve on his jumper until he eventually became a three-point threat later on his career.
We can never again expect to see the regular triple double threat that Kidd was earlier in his career.
Age is one reason for this, but another one is due to Kidd preferring to play more of a supporting role instead of being the team's go-to guy.
He knows that his old legs will no longer allow him to run up and down the court with the same speed he once had nor will they help him snatch away rebounds from bigger players down the paint.
So, even though Kidd has lost much of his physical abilities due to age, one thing that he still has is his high basketball IQ.
Watching Kidd play, you can see that he seldom forces things and lets the flow of the game come to him.
These are the signs of a player that can still be a valuable piece of a championship puzzle.
Who knows? Maybe he just might help the Knicks go all the way this season.
For Jason Kidd, however, that has not been the case.
While it is true that he is no longer as quick or as explosive as he once was during his prime years with the New Jersey Nets, Kidd is still a very solid point guard.
Even at the age of 39, Kidd's leadership and playmaking abilities make him a valuable asset to have on any team.
Ever since leaving the Dallas Mavericks to sign with the New York Knicks, Kidd has been averaging 7 points to go along with 3.
4 assists and 4 rebounds a game this season.
Not exactly impressive numbers when you look at them, but it's what he does that don't appear on the stat sheets which really count.
Even at his age, Kidd is still a very capable defender and is quite the thief as well, averaging a respectable 1.
7 steals per game this season.
He is good at setting up teammates, something that we have all grown accustomed to seeing him doing, he is always willing to make the extra pass, and his leadership on the court speaks volumes.
Earlier in his career, Kidd was criticized for having an inconsistent jump shot.
Critics even went as far as to call him "Ason Kidd" because he had no "J," which is basketball slang for "jump shot.
" He would work hard to improve on his jumper until he eventually became a three-point threat later on his career.
We can never again expect to see the regular triple double threat that Kidd was earlier in his career.
Age is one reason for this, but another one is due to Kidd preferring to play more of a supporting role instead of being the team's go-to guy.
He knows that his old legs will no longer allow him to run up and down the court with the same speed he once had nor will they help him snatch away rebounds from bigger players down the paint.
So, even though Kidd has lost much of his physical abilities due to age, one thing that he still has is his high basketball IQ.
Watching Kidd play, you can see that he seldom forces things and lets the flow of the game come to him.
These are the signs of a player that can still be a valuable piece of a championship puzzle.
Who knows? Maybe he just might help the Knicks go all the way this season.