Should Jason Kidd Be Demoted As Team USA’s Starting Point Guard?
J-Kidd (photo. Jordan Hollander)Even though Coach K said it was just a matter of giving Jason Kidd’s 35-year old legs a rest, the fact that he spent the entirety of the second half on the bench has people questioning Kidd’s role on Team USA.
“This doesn’t seem very complicated to me,” writes Tim MacMahon of the Dallas Morning News. “Kidd is clearly the third-best point guard on the team. Chris Paul and Deron Williams are significantly better players at this point in their careers. So it makes sense that Kidd, even with his extensive international experience, would get the fewest minutes of the floor leaders.”
Coming into the Games, Kidd’s 44-0 record in international play had been enough to quell any dissent about giving CP3 the starting job – even though Paul’s coming off of a historic season. But Kidd has played 20 total minutes in Team USA’s last two games, and hasn’t made a Kidd-type impact on the game since that sick full-court pass to ‘Melo during the Canada exhibition.
Even if Kidd hasn’t played like the same floor general who built this ridiculous resume, his role in the starting lineup still gives Team USA a strategic advantage: more than CP or Deron, Kidd looks to get the ball out on the break. After watching four exhibition games, it’s obvious that the more we can do this, the closer we get to gold. And when Kidd comes out of the game – whether it’s five minutes or fifteen minutes in – Paul shifts the tempo. There, CP’s effectiveness on the bounce is enhanced because of how his style contrasts with Kidd’s.
With this militia of All-Stars, it might not make sense to establish a definitive depth chart. Instead, bringing them in and out of the game allows everyone to stay fresh and to play off of the tone established by their counterparts.
Do you think Coach K should move Jason Kidd to the bench, or should he let CP3 and Deron Williams play off of the tone that Kidd establishes?
Source: Dallas Morning News
August 4th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Three Stacks says:
Even though he’s not as good as CP and Deron, benching him would probably cause too much of a ruckus and media speculation about this and that. You gotta leave him in the starting 5, at least until there’s some more evidence that USA can’t win the gold with him starting.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
the mamba says:
It’s a no-brainer, kidd should be 3rd on the depth charts, but i think his senoirity will mean plenty more games like this. Kidd starting and playing 5 or 10 minutes before watching the rest of the game on the bench.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
fallinup says:
It doesn’t matter really. It’s all about the gold, so I doubt anyone would complain. In all though, Kidd should start to set the tempo. He can hold his own. But as every game passes, we see the passing of the mantle…Paul is the new and improved Jason Kidd.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Michorizo says:
Can’t the US squad trade Kidd for Devin Harris?
August 4th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
shake&bake says:
Kidd isn’t a scorer and he doesn’t need to be playing with the 1st team. CP3 and Deron are better scorers which is needed a little bit more with the subs. I also think it’s a good change of pace going from Kidd to those two because all 3 are such different types of players. Kidd is mature enough to handle a demotion if it did happen but I don’t think it’s likely. However, it’s a nice problem to have for Coach K and Team USA.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
the haters POV says:
They should continue to start Kidd, but the bottom line is if the game is on the line Paul or Williams gives them the better chance to win because they are a threat scoring and passing the rock. JKidd can’t score like that.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
doc says:
He should keep it like it is.Its not about who starts anyway.Let Kidd play the 1rst and depending on how he holding up you make your moves.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
nick says:
kidd should still start even though he may not be the best pg on the squad anymore. his offense is not what cp3 or deron’s is but he does the other things to warrant a starting spot plus its easy enough to switch him out when time be.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Brandon Hoffman says:
I think people are making a big deal out of nothing. Team USA has played inferior opponents thus far. Those opponents are incapable of taking away our main strength: athleticism. But teams like Greece and Spain will slow the game down and put pressure on the ball-handler. When that happens, Jason Kidd will be our best point guard.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Celts Fan says:
You should leave it how it is. Dime was dead on with, “CP’s effectiveness on the bounce is enhanced because of how his style contrasts with Kidd’s.” I also think you’ve found a VERY solid backup set with CP3 and Deron out there together, along w/ Boozer sometimes (you know he and Deron can’t play together starting and they have great chemistry from playing together in the pros.) This is a Manu in SA situation. Kidd/Finley starts, but you know his backup will get the bulk of the minutes, but is a better fit going in with the backups at first.
August 4th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Kudabeen says:
His job was to be a catalyst and an example of unselfishness. I think he has done that well. He is spending the time it takes to encourage team play and instill confidence in the younger point guards in their abilities to dominate their matchup on an international level. People are making way to much of this. It’s not Kobe losing minutes to D-Wade type news…
Kidd is a VET…Let the young guys take his lead and run with it.
side note:
Wade needs to slow his roll on scowling and attempts of intimidation on the refs. Is he a convincing “tough guy”? I guess if he keeps punching it on cats heads it is hard to say no…
August 4th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
AY says:
starting line up needs to be merit based, not seniority based. team usa hasn’t lost with jason kidd in the starting line up, i’d let him start the game just for psychological reasons.
August 4th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Kudabeen says:
Speaking of psychological:
Fran Friscilla (sp) made a great point about Coach K’s coaching that went under the radar. He says that Coach K should be utilizing his timeouts better, if for nothing else, to get the players use to it.
Think about in the past games where we could be up then lose a good portion of the lead…a timeout is call…then guys start feeling like they are losing or the other team has an advantage… I think he should definitely make use of his timeouts more as well emphasize the pick and roll offense a little more when bosh and boozer come in the game…
August 4th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
kingkite says:
The rest of the starters want him there. He is just as good of a passer as the other point guards, they are only better at scoring. This team has enough scorers.
BOTTOM LINE – It would only cause confusion and friction not to have him the starter. This shouldn’t even be a topic.
August 4th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
What is this!? says:
Kidd should be able to continue to start considering that it was when he came along that the team USA came together completely. He was the biggest difference maker last summer. They don’t need 5 scorers out on the floor at one time, and that is NOT what J-Kidd is there to do..he is there to bring leadership. People kill me wanting to push that guy aside because he is older, whe the fact of the matter is he is one of team USA’s most important pieces to the puzzle.
August 4th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
BxBaller says:
Sounds like people are drinking the CP3/Deron juice.
This is not an issue, remember these games are exhibitions, and don’t mean anything. Coach K is probably resting Kidd for when the real games count. I don’t care how they get the job done, as long as they come back home safely and with the gold.
August 4th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Jim says:
The worst thing Coach K could do would be to lose the trust of veteran players. I don’t think USA should be making PT promises, but we also shouldn’t be in the business of embarrassing people. Our success is predicated on having big names coming back, and they won’t do that if they think they pecking order won’t be respected.
August 4th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
AB_40 says:
no, and what that guy wrote on espn is IGNANT… He’ll get his 25 mpg. as the floor general. If not then the talkt that usa gives is cheap and no to verry little vets will go into this usa ‘program’
August 4th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
GEE...1 word says:
No
August 4th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Big shot bob says:
I think they all bring something different to the table Kidd is the best and most experienced floor leader they have. Plus he can pass the ball and get his teamates easy shots. He is also the best rebounding guard. Check out the first few game snad you’ll notice Kidd getting alot more boards than any of the guards. Paul can’t defend as well on some of the bigger guards we’ll see later on but he is the best handler off the dribble and penetrating the lane. Deron in my opinion is ahead of Paul on the depth chart because he can do all the things Paul can do but he has the sze to defend and can shoot better.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:30 am
Get Some Education, BITCHEZ says:
B-ball 4 LIFE!
August 5th, 2008 at 12:38 am
HUH!!!! says:
Keep it the way it is, watching D Will and CP play together is a thing of beauty. They have both been very effective at being scorers and distributors. The U.S. will be fine Coach K will figure it out. Jason Kidd will be fine, and when the teams try to slow the game down Jason Kidd will be much more effective.
August 5th, 2008 at 2:12 am
daquest?on says:
jkidd is done
August 5th, 2008 at 2:16 am
daquest?on says:
u know wat is annoying?? the announcers saying cp3 everytime paul touches the ball.
August 5th, 2008 at 7:52 am
N B says:
Its clear that everyone hated the Kidd trade, and are further establishing their hate by pointing out every day how old Kidd is. Yes, CP3 had an outstanding playoff series, and yes I think D-Will is a monster, but neither have the experience it takes to truly lead a team of talent like Kidd does. I really can’t wait for the season to start because I am eager to see how Kidd really meshes with the Mavericks now that the “Little General” and his wack offensive sets are gone.