Knicks' Jason Kidd announces retirement
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Jason Kidd made the All-Star team in 10 of his 19 seasons. (Paul K Buck/AFP)
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Ten-time All-Star Jason Kidd retired Monday after 19 NBA seasons.
The 40-year-old Kidd, who signed a three-year, $9.3 million with the Knicks last summer, announced his decision in a statement released by the organization.
"My time in professional basketball has been an incredible journey, but one that must come to an end after 19 years," Kidd said. "As I reflect on my time with the four teams I represented in the NBA, I look back fondly at every season and thank each every one of my teammates and coaches that joined me on the court."
Kidd, the No. 2 pick in the 1994 draft after earning All-America honors as a sophomore at Cal, played for the Mavericks, Suns, Nets and Knicks. The 1995 co-Rookie of the Year finishes with career averages of 12.6 points, 8.7 assists, 6.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals. Kidd made the All-NBA first or second team six times and the All-Defensive team nine times. He also won a gold medal with USA Basketball at the 2000 and 2008 Olympics and he received the NBA's sportsmanship award twice.
"I think it is the right time," Kidd told ESPNNewYork.com. "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."
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Regarded as one of the greatest all-around point guards in NBA history, Kidd ranks No. 2 all time in assists and steals, trailing only Jazz Hall of Fame guard John Stockton in both categories. He won the 2011 championship with the Mavericks and went to the 2002 and 2003 Finals with the Nets. Kidd leaves the NBA having earned more than $187 million in contracts.
"Anybody who wants to learn to play point guard should study Jason Kidd," former NBA point guard Mike Bibby told Sports Illustrated in 2000. "Nobody does everything a point guard needs to do as well as he does."
"Jason’s value to the Knicks and the National Basketball Association cannot be quantified by statistics alone," Knicks GM Glen Grunwald said in a statement. "Everyone here in New York saw firsthand what a tremendous competitor he is and why Jason is considered to be one of the best point guards, and leaders, the game has ever seen."
Kidd, one of the NBA's oldest players this season, averaged six points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 76 games. He went scoreless in the Knicks' final 10 playoff games, shooting 0-of-17 in that stretch. He told ESPNNewYork.com that those struggles didn't influence his decision.
"[I] didn't come into the league as a shooter or scorer and I guess I won't be leaving as one," Kidd said. "I just tried to play the game the right way. As you get older, Father Time is undefeated. The ball just wouldn't go in for me at the end. I thought I had a great season."
Kidd's announcement comes two days after Grant Hill, with whom Kidd shared the 1995 Rookie of the Year award, announced his retirement. Miami's Juwan Howard is now the only active player from the 1994 draft, which had a top five of Glenn Robinson (who retired in 2005), Kidd, Hill, Donyell Marshall (who retired in 2009) and Howard.