How good was Jason Kidd as a prospect?

[Goudelock]

I'm watching some Kidd college games and clips for my project, and his speed is breathtaking for someone who grew up watching a geriatric Kidd plodding up and down the court for the Mavs and later Knicks. Defensive tenacity on-ball is absurd.

His passing is relentless on the collegiate level, and he's special in transition. Can make outlet passes, quick hit-aheads, lobs, etc.

Kidd's scoring game looks raw though. Jump shot is not good and he looks stiff when he's trying to move side to side on a crossover or cut (although the awful spacing doesn't help his cause).

For those of you who saw this version of Kidd live, what kind of a prospect was he? I know he was the No. 2 pick, but was he considered a generational PG prospect?

[Colbinii]

Kidd is a very strong very aggressive player with a feel for the game
that's rare. Sees things in slow motion or something because he just
knows where everybody is at all time. Close to ambidextrous which is a
huge advantage for a PG.

Strengths: very powerful for a guard, lifted weights after his
freshman year and got stronger without losing any noticable quickness.
Great vision, sees everything, great hands, like Clyde Frazier on
defense, can strip anybody at any time. Remarkable passer, handles the
ball well and goes to the hole with authority. Good athlete but not in
Murray's class as a leaper. Has all the intangibles, smart player,
works hard at his game, wants to win.

Weaknesses: shooting plain and simple, he's not a good shooter, he's
much better than he used to be, but he still needs to improve his
outside shot, shot off the dribble, and his freethrows. Tends to make
great moves to the hoop but not finish them off, with his strength, he
should be able to finish more. Not blinding quick, NBA PG's who are
might bother him(although Stoudamire and Edney bothered him, he
outplayed them both head to head). Early in his career Jason played in
spurts and was a bit lazy at times, he shed this in his sophomore year
and played hard the whole time. Must show he can run a half court
offense in the NBA, Cal never did it well while he was there(or before
him for that matter).

Jason's a can't miss star, if his shooting improves he's a superstar
and future hall of famer. The only PG in the NBA with more potential
is Penny Hardaway who's bigger, a better athlete, and a better
shooter, but Kidd is stronger, better defensively and probably a
better passer too. They should be dueling for the next 10 years or so.
If Kidd is there at #3 I'd be shocked.

[Colbinii]

GOAT level Point Guard prospect except for the shooting question marks. Arguably better passing prospect than Magic Johnson.

[SlimShady83]

I'm watching some Kidd college games and clips for my project, and his speed is breathtaking for someone who grew up watching a geriatric Kidd plodding up and down the court for the Mavs and later Knicks. Defensive tenacity on-ball is absurd.

Where you getting these from? I'm trying to find a site that has all 90's games, teams etc
Thought League pass would but they don't.

I know youtube has certain games here In there, but want to watch say for example Lakers from the 90's entire season, Bulls etc just want to go binge watch 90's seasons again - Bring back the 90's, yes I'm stuck In the 90's

[Goudelock]

I'm watching some Kidd college games and clips for my project, and his speed is breathtaking for someone who grew up watching a geriatric Kidd plodding up and down the court for the Mavs and later Knicks. Defensive tenacity on-ball is absurd.

Where you getting these from? I'm trying to find a site that has all 90's games, teams etc
Thought League pass would but they don't.

I know youtube has certain games here In there, but want to watch say for example Lakers from the 90's entire season, Bulls etc just want to go binge watch 90's seasons again - Bring back the 90's, yes I'm stuck In the 90's

Just a few games on YouTube here or there, plus highlights also on YouTube.

There's no site that has all 90s games. The NBA hasn't taken the time to digitize all of the games in their archives, so we're stuck with whatever they put on the NBA app plus whatever random games people upload on YouTube.

[SlimShady83]

There's no site that has all 90s games. The NBA hasn't taken the time to digitize all of the games in their archives, so we're stuck with whatever they put on the NBA app plus whatever random games people upload on YouTube.

Kind of sucks, oh well. I've been researching all wknd, with no luck, now I know why

[One_and_Done]

GOAT level Point Guard prospect except for the shooting question marks. Arguably better passing prospect than Magic Johnson.

If he's better than Magic at passing it's in a purely theoretical way, because Kidd can't make up for the size advantage Magic has letting him see over guys to make passes Kidd won't even know are there. Reminds me of guys who argue Iverson was a better scorer than XYZ 'for his size'. It's a somewhat meaningless title.

[Colbinii]

GOAT level Point Guard prospect except for the shooting question marks. Arguably better passing prospect than Magic Johnson.

If he's better than Magic at passing it's in a purely theoretical way, because Kidd can't make up for the size advantage Magic has letting him see over guys to make passes Kidd won't even know are there. Reminds me of guys who argue Iverson was a better scorer than XYZ 'for his size'. It's a somewhat meaningless title.

I am solely talking about how they were seen as prospects. That is what this thread is about. That is what I said.

[Blame Rasho]

Watch on YouTube

Best prospect since Isaiah Thomas.

[Cavsfansince84]

Watch on YouTube

Best prospect since Isaiah Thomas.

Best pg prospect since Isiah sounds about right. Keeping in mind we are narrowing it down to pgs and saying he's slightly below Isiah.

[kcktiny]

In two years at Stanford per 48 minutes Kidd averaged 8-9 rebounds, 12 assists, 5 steals. Can't think of another player that did that at a high major college.

[Doctor MJ]

I'm watching some Kidd college games and clips for my project, and his speed is breathtaking for someone who grew up watching a geriatric Kidd plodding up and down the court for the Mavs and later Knicks. Defensive tenacity on-ball is absurd.

His passing is relentless on the collegiate level, and he's special in transition. Can make outlet passes, quick hit-aheads, lobs, etc.

Kidd's scoring game looks raw though. Jump shot is not good and he looks stiff when he's trying to move side to side on a crossover or cut (although the awful spacing doesn't help his cause).

For those of you who saw this version of Kidd live, what kind of a prospect was he? I know he was the No. 2 pick, but was he considered a generational PG prospect?

Others have already elaborated but I'll add this:

The 1994 draft class was seen as having 3 huge prospects in Glenn Robinson, Jason Kidd & Grant Hill. Like, Hill was seen as a #1 level pick by many. Now, I don't remember any major scouts actually argue that anyone other than "Big Dog" Robinson be picked at #1, so that tells you how much hype he had, but Kidd & Hill were seen as exceptional prospects in their own right.

To the question of "best PG prospect since Isiah", I'd say that's more debatable. I mean maybe, but in 1991 Kenny Anderson was extremely hyped. Kidd had the better career of course, but part of that comes from Anderson - while still becoming an NBA all-star - not living up to the hype. Worth noting in all 3 cases the PG in question got drafted 2nd. It was very hard to go #1 as a point guard-sized player back then.

[Doctor MJ]

In two years at Stanford per 48 minutes Kidd averaged 8-9 rebounds, 12 assists, 5 steals. Can't think of another player that did that at a high major college.

Cal not Stanford, but yeah, he was quite impressive.

[kcktiny]

My bad. Was comparing the steal rates of Kidd and Brevin Knight and thinking Stanford

[UglyBugBall]

GOAT level Point Guard prospect except for the shooting question marks. Arguably better passing prospect than Magic Johnson.

If he's better than Magic at passing it's in a purely theoretical way, because Kidd can't make up for the size advantage Magic has letting him see over guys to make passes Kidd won't even know are there. Reminds me of guys who argue Iverson was a better scorer than XYZ 'for his size'. It's a somewhat meaningless title.

How is it meaningless? We have pound for pound and inch for inch rankings for a reason. If magic is just better because he's taller then hed not actually better, he's just in a different height class which comes with an innate advantage

[One_and_Done]

GOAT level Point Guard prospect except for the shooting question marks. Arguably better passing prospect than Magic Johnson.

If he's better than Magic at passing it's in a purely theoretical way, because Kidd can't make up for the size advantage Magic has letting him see over guys to make passes Kidd won't even know are there. Reminds me of guys who argue Iverson was a better scorer than XYZ 'for his size'. It's a somewhat meaningless title.

How is it meaningless? We have pound for pound and inch for inch rankings for a reason. If magic is just better because he's taller then hed not actually better, he's just in a different height class which comes with an innate advantage

It's meaningless because your impact is your impact. You don't get extra points for being 'better for your size', that's why there are no midget savants in the league.

[SlimShady83]

Actually quite good

Watch on YouTube