ESPN: On Kidd getting benched....

[IMG]http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0803/nba_g_kidd_580.jpg[/IMG]

By Chris Sheridan
ESPN.com

SHANGHAI, China -- Jason Kidd sat and watched the final 20 minutes of Team USA's friendly competition against Russia from the bench Sunday, his warm-ups never coming off.



Coach Mike Krzyzewski, when asked why he benched Kidd, was in the middle of answering during his postgame interview when Kobe Bryant interrupted with a two-word explanation: "He's old."

Krzyzewski said Kidd will be back in the starting lineup Tuesday night when the Americans play their final pre-Olympic exhibition game against Australia, but what will happen beyond that point is fair game for open speculation.

With Chris Paul and Deron Williams looking especially effective against Russia's zone defense, what we saw in Team USA's 89-68 victory over the reigning European champions could be an indication of what we'll see in the next couple of weeks.

J-Kidd could be done, or at least on his way to being marginalized. That's not the way he saw it, though.

"Coach wanted to get those guys more time. He wanted to see something different, get those guys into some situations," Kidd said. "I've seen everything, so I'm fine with it. I can use the rest. There's nothing to read into it."

Except there is.

[url]http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=USARussiaRecap-080802[/url]

Kidd shouldn't be there in the first place. Not that he doesn't quote "deserve" it. It's just that Team USA has no use for him whatsoever... he's sort of there on creds alone.

Yeah, I mean with Paul and Williams on the team there isnt much place for Kidd...

Jason Kidd really isn't a good point guard against the zone.
He can't penetrate especially well, nor does he have a good outside shot.
His rebounding will definitely help the squad, though.

man its like espn is trying 2 start a fight in the USA team or trying 2 get a feel good story out of the best player.

espn and mass media on basketball is fkd!

Honestly, I think if Coach K plays Kidd (too old), Bosh (isn't helping at all), Boozer (mediocre), Prince (out of place), and perhaps Redd (good shooter, bad everything else) a lot of minutes, we could definitely not get gold. Rotation should just be:

Paul/Williams/Kidd
Kobe/Wade/Redd
Melo/Bron/Prince
Bron/Melo/Bosh
Dwight/Boozer/Bosh

I basically think we should only play 7 players. Maybe throw some others in for very short intervals (10 mins or something).

[QUOTE=gencbiba]I wouldn't trust either Williams or Paul in crunch time over Kidd.

They might be flashier, faster and better shooters, but experience will always outweigh that. Where was USA when we had the "greatest" athletes on this team? Yeah, almost 7 years of disappointment.

However, little kids will always say the same things... It's like those idiots that started watching NBA after AI crossed MJ a bit, or the ones that have never seen MJ play a game and they say that Kobe is a better player. Please...

Your baseless opinions on Kidd will never be taken seriously, just like ESPN's.

These games mean nothing. When the real games start, you'll see that Kidd won't be sitting on the bench during the end of games. For now, it's best for W and P to gain more experience.[/QUOTE]

You are being overly harsh.

I don

[QUOTE=Dbrog]Honestly, I think if Coach K plays Kidd (too old), Bosh (isn't helping at all), Boozer (mediocre), Prince (out of place), and perhaps Redd (good shooter, bad everything else) a lot of minutes, we could definitely not get gold. Rotation should just be:

Paul/Williams/Kidd
Kobe/Wade/Redd
Melo/Bron/Prince
Bron/Melo/Bosh
Dwight/Boozer/Bosh

I basically think we should only play 7 players. Maybe throw some others in for very short intervals (10 mins or something).[/QUOTE]
So Boozer and Howard as the only bigs? Yeah, right

[QUOTE=chains5000]So Boozer and Howard as the only bigs? Yeah, right[/QUOTE]

Well unfortunately it's all we have. Bosh plays like a SF.

[QUOTE=gencbiba].
your baseless opinion on kidd means nothing[/QUOTE]

did you read the article? its not just his opinion its talking about how kidd is slower and not as effective against zone d

[QUOTE]Until Sunday, Paul and Williams usually had been paired as the second unit's backcourt, with Williams playing shooting guard and Paul running the point. But Paul was the starter when the second 20 minutes began, and Williams was the most effective player on the court after the Russian team made a nice little run to cut a 20-point deficit in half, throwing the closest thing to a scare into the Americans as they've seen in their four games together thus far.

The scare went away quickly as the Americans turned up their defensive pressure and forced expatriate American J.R. Holden into an ill-advised shot and a turnover. (Williams came up with the steal.) Michael Redd then hit a pair of 3-pointers, the second in transition, to turn a 61-51 game into a 71-51 game. [/QUOTE]

uh, was this guy even paying attention to the game? Russia got back in it when Paul was teamed with Melo and both were acting like a screen door on a submarine. As soon as though two were taken out USA got its 20 point lead back. Paul was getting killed defensively by a guy that looked to be on par with Mike James at best.

That kind of makes me sad for Kidd..

it's times like these when it must suck to be a mavs fan...

Okay I don't see why the ESPN "experts" are writing about Team USA and the Point Guard situation. Let it handle itself. Jason Kidd is a professional and probably doesn't even care if he plays more than 5 minutes.

What Chris Sheridan and John Hollinger should be writing about is a detailed scouting report of the European teams. What is the biggest strength of Team Argentina and Spain? Who is the darkhouse candidate to hurt us ala Sarunas Jasekevicius? Get to scouting.

[QUOTE=Dbrog]Honestly, I think if Coach K plays Kidd (too old), Bosh (isn't helping at all), Boozer (mediocre), Prince (out of place), and perhaps Redd (good shooter, bad everything else) a lot of minutes, we could definitely not get gold. Rotation should just be:

Paul/Williams/Kidd
Kobe/Wade/Redd
Melo/Bron/Prince
Bron/Melo/Bosh
Dwight/Boozer/Bosh

I basically think we should only play 7 players. Maybe throw some others in for very short intervals (10 mins or something).[/QUOTE]

lol at bosh not helping at all....maybe because the coach doesn't run plays for any of the bigs...

The one thing I don't understand is why we recruit big men who CAN score. Since were obviously going to go with a guard-orientated offense why don't we get players who defend at the C and PF position? Dwight Howard is definitely a good defender but Boozer and Bosh are far from good defenders, there actually pretty mediocre.

And whoever said Michael Redd, Prince, Boozer, and Bosh are worthless. Watch more basketball, and you'll realize Boozer, Bosh, Prince and Redd are here to fill ROLES.

Coach K on Bosh after the Russia game

[QUOTE=PainDog]You are being overly harsh.

[B]I don

Kidd still brings leadership to Team USA. I would rather have him sitting on the bench than at home on his couch. And IMO Paul and Williams are both better "skill-wise" than Kidd ever was. They have Kidd's passing ability along with scoring. At one point Kidd may have had the "intangibles" Paul and Williams don't have but it's obvious those two are beginning to show them.

He can make 3s

[QUOTE=BIZARRO]I am absolutely questioning it. Not only am I questioning it; I am answering it.

He has NO offensive game. ZERO. ZILCH. NADA. CRAP. AWFUL. Playing 4 on 5 when he is in the game. He's OLLLLLLLLLLLLLLDDDD.

Starting to slow down? His stats are like 1, 2, and 1. BRUTAL!!!

Taken like 2 shots in 50 MINUTES of play. Has 4 ASSISTS in the tourney so far!! YOU COULD STEP ON THE FLOOR and have more assists playing with these players.

At the moment you, I don't think you could say he is beter than Paul and Williams? To even make this sentence up is insane. He doesn't belong in the same paragraph with Paul or Williams currently, let alone the same sentence.

I am hoping that one day the Jason Kidd overrating delusionists one day wake up on here. He is and always has been THE most overrated player on ISH.

Don't get me wrong, he used to be very good. LONG, LONG, LONG time past.

He can't play dead now.[/QUOTE]
yep and he TO the ball alot.

[QUOTE=Posts Penyeach]Kidd shouldn't be there in the first place. Not that he doesn't quote "deserve" it. It's just that Team USA has no use for him whatsoever... he's sort of there on creds alone.[/QUOTE]


Not true

You have 2 remember where Chris Paul and Deron were when they assembled this team. Kidd was the obvious starter at moment in time.

Had they known then, how good those 2 would be now. Kidd may be taking some much needed offseason rest. Which since he already has a gold medal he prolly wouldn't mind. Plus another Big would be added to the roster.

Reality is against a zone, Kidd is pretty much useless which is why Espn is overeacting because their dying for some controversy from this USA Team.
They want a story and they know no one gives a sht if USA wins which is more than likely so their turning their attention elsewhere.

Writters & Analyst want this team to fail or not get along so they can run wild with related topics and articles.

His experience playing these big olympic games is what Kidd will bring the most. I think Deron should be the starter bc he is big enough for international guards. But it is true, Kidd has noticably slowed down. But to say he doesnt deserve or need to be on the team is laughable. He is the one guy with playoff gold experience.

[QUOTE=gencbiba]I wouldn't trust either Williams or Paul in crunch time over Kidd.

They might be flashier, faster and better shooters, but experience will always outweigh that. Where was USA when we had the "greatest" athletes on this team? Yeah, almost 7 years of disappointment.

However, little kids will always say the same things... It's like those idiots that started watching NBA after AI crossed MJ a bit, or the ones that have never seen MJ play a game and they say that Kobe is a better player. Please...

Your baseless opinions on Kidd will never be taken seriously, just like ESPN's.

These games mean nothing. When the real games start, you'll see that Kidd won't be sitting on the bench during the end of games. For now, it's best for W and P to gain more experience.[/QUOTE]

i would trust deron williams, dude is a solid floor leader and a much better player then kidd right now and so is cp, even though i have seen him get rattled a couple times in international play

[QUOTE=BIZARRO]I am absolutely questioning it. Not only am I questioning it; I am answering it.

He has NO offensive game. ZERO. ZILCH. NADA. CRAP. AWFUL. Playing 4 on 5 when he is in the game. He's OLLLLLLLLLLLLLLDDDD.

Starting to slow down? His stats are like 1, 2, and 1. BRUTAL!!!

Taken like 2 shots in 50 MINUTES of play. Has 4 ASSISTS in the tourney so far!! YOU COULD STEP ON THE FLOOR and have more assists playing with these players.

At the moment you, I don't think you could say he is beter than Paul and Williams? To even make this sentence up is insane. He doesn't belong in the same paragraph with Paul or Williams currently, let alone the same sentence.

I am hoping that one day the Jason Kidd overrating delusionists one day wake up on here. He is and always has been THE most overrated player on ISH.

Don't get me wrong, he used to be very good. LONG, LONG, LONG time past.

He can't play dead now.[/QUOTE]

damn yo i thought i was the only person on this board to think kidd is one of the most overated players of all time

[QUOTE=BIZARRO]I am absolutely questioning it. Not only am I questioning it; I am answering it.

He has NO offensive game. ZERO. ZILCH. NADA. CRAP. AWFUL. Playing 4 on 5 when he is in the game. He's OLLLLLLLLLLLLLLDDDD.

Starting to slow down? His stats are like 1, 2, and 1. BRUTAL!!!

Taken like 2 shots in 50 MINUTES of play. Has 4 ASSISTS in the tourney so far!! YOU COULD STEP ON THE FLOOR and have more assists playing with these players.

At the moment you, I don't think you could say he is beter than Paul and Williams? To even make this sentence up is insane. He doesn't belong in the same paragraph with Paul or Williams currently, let alone the same sentence.

I am hoping that one day the Jason Kidd overrating delusionists one day wake up on here. He is and always has been THE most overrated player on ISH.

Don't get me wrong, he used to be very good. LONG, LONG, LONG time past.

He can't play dead now.[/QUOTE]


Kidd does not need to score on this team. it is loaded.

his job is to bring the ball upcourt, set up the plays (even if he only gets the hockey assist), rebound, push the ball in the open court, and be a mental leader.

those who disregard the mental aspect of the game clearly have never played at any organized level of play before. merely armchair athletes.

Kidd is still a key cog for this team. He is essential for the chemistry here on this team, and a leader for the guys and leads the unselfish movement. Last summer while he wasn't amazing statistically, anyone who watched the games could see how awesome he was in running the offense and helping to lead the D. He's the only guy on the team that doesn't care if he takes a shot the whole tournament, and maybe the only one that could be very effective without doing so. I still trust him more defensively than either other younger pg, and I certainly trust him to move the ball better than what's Paul been doing.

And I don't see the big deal in not playing a 35yo player in a tune up game. How the hell do people just automatically believe its over for him?

[QUOTE=Posts Penyeach]Kidd shouldn't be there in the first place. Not that he doesn't quote "deserve" it. It's just that Team USA has no use for him whatsoever... he's sort of there on creds alone.[/QUOTE]
WTF? The guy is still a good defender in international play, and he's still got great court vision for the fastbreaks that make Team USA so effective. He's a good pace PG, and his offensive deficiencies aren't significant on this team. He may not be a top PG in the league for what he can't do, but that doesn't matter on this squad.

I think Sheridan might be reading too much into it. Although there is a poll on ESPN right now and Kidd is leading in who should be getting the least amount of PT between the 3 pgs. I think Coach K will let Kidd continue starting. But just because he's starting doesn't mean he'll get the bulk of the minutes.

[QUOTE=Copperhead]I think Sheridan might be reading too much into it. Although there is a poll on ESPN right now and Kidd is leading in who should be getting the least amount of PT between the 3 pgs.[/QUOTE]

I'm betting 90% of the people voting on the poll haven't even seen one full tune up game.

Kidd shouldn't be there!!!! In international ball you have to be able to shoot the ball...especially from the guard positions......he's our worst shooter!!!

[QUOTE=gencbiba]Because basketball is all about shooting.:hammerhead: There are 5 players at a given time on the field. I'm guessing that you haven't even seen a USA game yet this year.

Watch one, and see how Kidd sets up the offense. A lot of plays, Kidd will be the one passing to the one getting the assist. It's like he can predict the future.[/QUOTE]
The other teams KNOW Kidd isn't a threat in the offense so they don't have to worry about him which will result in double teaming other players. And from what I've seen in ALL games so far, Kidd has been the least effective PG in setting up the offense.

Seriously, you guys are reading WAY too much into this.

The entire point of bringing Kidd on was to provide veteran leadership and FIBA experience. He was NEVER expected or asked to play any significant minutes, not during the 07 Qualifiers or the 08 Olympics. He averaged about 10 minutes a game during the qualifiers. I would expect him to average even fewer during the Olympics. His job was to start the game, set the tone for the team, and be a teacher for the young point guards.

So basically, what the hell is the big deal?

As long as we've got Kidd setting the tone, teaching Deron, and having Deron play the big minutes at point guard, we should be fine at that position.

[QUOTE=AppleNader]Seriously, you guys are reading WAY too much into this.

The entire point of bringing Kidd on was to provide veteran leadership and FIBA experience. He was NEVER expected or asked to play any significant minutes, not during the 07 Qualifiers or the 08 Olympics. He averaged about 10 minutes a game during the qualifiers. I would expect him to average even fewer during the Olympics. His job was to start the game, set the tone for the team, and be a teacher for the young point guards.

So basically, what the hell is the big deal?

[B]As long as we've got Kidd setting the tone, teaching Deron, and having Deron play the big minutes at point guard, we should be fine at that position[/B].[/QUOTE]

Thing is that Coach K seems to think Paul is better then Deron for the team.

In my opinion, Deron is better. Of course, I'm no coach, but I think his shooting ability, something important in INTL play, is far superior to Paul's.

i honestly don't see why paul is even here. Ithought we were better off last year with kidd williams and Billups.

I've been saying htis for years Paul just doesn't belong on this team he is not effective at all without NBA refs. Anyone who has actually watched basketball for the past couple years knows Deron is the better player, but Paul's game seems to attract the dumb fans who think flash is more important than winning. I think this team would be better off with Deron getting 30 minutes and Kidd getting 10. Paul is way way overrated, as evidenced by Deron outplaying him badly in the Russia game.

[QUOTE=Y2Gezee]Kidd is still a key cog for this team. He is essential for the chemistry here on this team, and a leader for the guys and leads the unselfish movement. Last summer while he wasn't amazing statistically, anyone who watched the games could see how awesome he was in running the offense and helping to lead the D. He's the only guy on the team that doesn't care if he takes a shot the whole tournament, and maybe the only one that could be very effective without doing so. I still trust him more defensively than either other younger pg, and I certainly trust him to move the ball better than what's Paul been doing.

And I don't see the big deal in not playing a 35yo player in a tune up game. How the hell do people just automatically believe its over for him?[/QUOTE]
---Ditto
IF the USA Team brings back the GOLD , Kidd was a part of it .
This isn't the NBA , any player on a Olympic team that gets a metal contributed PERIOD>
Kidd is there for a on the floor leader with past experience. I don't care if he scores a point as long as the US team brings back the GOLD.
These posts writting off Kidd have no idea what happens in practice as well as in the locker room with a veteran like Kidd assisting 'newby's how to play the International game'

[QUOTE=BIZARRO]I am absolutely questioning it. Not only am I questioning it; I am answering it.

He has NO offensive game. ZERO. ZILCH. NADA. CRAP. AWFUL. Playing 4 on 5 when he is in the game. He's OLLLLLLLLLLLLLLDDDD.

Starting to slow down? His stats are like 1, 2, and 1. BRUTAL!!!

Taken like 2 shots in 50 MINUTES of play. Has 4 ASSISTS in the tourney so far!! YOU COULD STEP ON THE FLOOR and have more assists playing with these players.

At the moment you, I don't think you could say he is beter than Paul and Williams? To even make this sentence up is insane. He doesn't belong in the same paragraph with Paul or Williams currently, let alone the same sentence.

I am hoping that one day the Jason Kidd overrating delusionists one day wake up on here. He is and always has been THE most overrated player on ISH.

Don't get me wrong, he used to be very good. LONG, LONG, LONG time past.

He can't play dead now.[/QUOTE]

no offense, but posts like this just show how stat-obsessive you are. You have absolutely no understanding of what J-Kidd brings to this team, nor do you even know the backstory on why Mike K wanted him on the roster in the first place.

All you care about is stats. Stats without context. Stats without the big picture.

This is the worst type of mindset.

[QUOTE=AppleNader]no offense, but posts like this just show how stat-obsessive you are. You have absolutely no understanding of what J-Kidd brings to this team, nor do you even know the backstory on why Mike K wanted him on the roster in the first place.

All you care about is stats. Stats without context. Stats without the big picture.

This is the worst type of mindset.[/QUOTE]


Wrong. Yes, his stats do suck. But I've watched the games and he has sucked too.

You can take your Coach K backstory and your big picture and your mindset and go to the back of the room with all the other delusional J-Kidd overraters.

I swear, Jason Kidd has drugged 1/3 of the posters on ISH.

He doesn't belong on the team. He can't play dead anymore, stats or not. Period.