Jason Kidd

Lore & Background

Kidd's time in Phoenix saw him rise to the status of the league's best playmaker. In the 1998–99 season, he averaged 10.8 assists per game to dethrone Washington's Rod Strickland as the league's assists leader. He also led the NBA with seven triple-doubles (the rest of the league had just 11) and was second in the NBA with 41.2 minutes per game (behind Allen Iverson's 41.5 mpg). Kidd averaged career highs in points (16.9 ppg), field goal percentage (.444), rebounds (6.8 rpg, best among NBA guards) and steals (2.28 spg, fourth in the NBA) and was the only player to be ranked among the top 50 in the NBA in 10 different statistical categories. The Suns won all seven of the games in which he had triple-doubles. The Suns acquired Penny Hardaway from the Orlando Magic before the start of the 1999–00 season in hope of creating the best backcourt duo in the league, often labeled as the BackCourt 2000. Despite a decent 53–29 record, the Suns' season was spoiled by injuries to both superstars. Kidd, who broke his ankle late in the regular season, returned during the playoffs to help his team beat the defending champion San Antonio Spurs and advance to the second round for the first time in his career. The 2000–01 season was affected by Kidd's personal problems as he was charged with domestic abuse of his wife. The Suns finished strongly with a 15–6 record to secure another 50-win season. Kidd took on more of the offensive load after his teammates encouraged him to be more selfish. He recorded 30-plus points six times on the year and five times in the last 19 games. In one particular hot stretch, he scored 36, 32, and 31 in three consecutive games in mid-March, prior to which he had never recorded consecutive 30-point games.

Reader's Guide

Jason Kidd is defined by his evolution into the league's best playmaker during his Phoenix Suns tenure. He led the NBA in assists for three consecutive years (1999–2001). He made the All-Star Game in 1998, 2000, and 2001 (in 1999 it was not held because of a lockout). It was with the Suns that he was voted to the All-NBA First Team and NBA All-Defensive Team. His skills were rooted in basketball IQ and relentless improvement. He possessed uncanny passing range and defensive anticipation that allowed him to dictate games. Defining moments include leading the NBA in assists for three straight years, recording seven triple-doubles in the 1998–99 season (the rest of the league had 11), and helping the Suns beat the defending champion San Antonio Spurs in the 2000 playoffs to advance to the second round for the first time in his career.

Did You Know?

• Kidd was the only player ranked among the top 50 in the NBA in 10 different statistical categories during the 1998–99 season.
• Kidd scored 36, 32, and 31 points in three consecutive games in mid-March 2001, despite never having recorded consecutive 30-point games before.