During New Jersey’s 99-88 victory against Seattle last night, Jason Kidd grabbed five rebounds, pushing his career total to 6,605. Only Oscar Robertson [7,804], Clyde Drexler [6,677] and Michael Jordan [6,672] are ahead of him.
Kidd -who has averaged no fewer than six boards per game since 1997-98, and is tied for 29th [first among guards] with 8.7 rpg this season- should be passing both MJ and ‘Clyde The Glide’ over the next nine games.
Kidd’s resume includes 14,117 points, 9,056 assists [6th, but only five dimes behind Isiah Thomas], and 1,960 steals [11th]. He is, far and away, the modern leader with 97 regular season triple-doubles [3rd overall, behind Robertson’s 181 and Magic Johnson’s 138].
The game against the Sonics was never in doubt and, thus, Kidd [who also tallied 16 points and 11 assists] was benched for the final 12 1/2 minutes. He appeared to be in line for his 11th triple-double of the season, after collecting eight points, five assists and four rebounds in the opening quarter.
Kidd entered with a string of three consecutive triple-doubles. Jordan, in 1989, was the last player to have four straight. The NBA record is nine, by Wilt Chamberlain in 1967-68.