If you're Ainge, would you try to sign Kidd?

[GuyClinch]

Kidd stat wise is still pretty good. But I flat out don't like the guy. I hope he doesn't come here.

[GreenDreamer]

Kidd isn't the same guy that he used to be, but he isn't a washed up bum either.

http://www.82games.com/0809/0809DAL.HTM

What sticks out on that tally is that Kidd is the second ranked player on his team, and his oncourt/offcourt +/- is, by far, the largest on the squad. The outscore their opponents by 5.4 points per 48 (which is actually a very good mark) when he is on the floor, and they get hammered by 9.0 points per 48 when he is off of it.He still makes a team better. Just not as much as he used to, because he is getting older. The whole trade debacle is a little overblown too, IMO. There was a reason that the Mavs dealt Harris, and that was because they hoped that Kidd would be enough to push them over the top. They weren't doing that great with Devin there. They were wrong, as the problems with that team are just too extensive. Kidd is still an excellent floor general, and has finally seemed to have developed a reliable three point shot.

Kidd has issues with the speedster point guards like Rondo, but against the majority of them he is still quite good, and he is also able to guard SG's and SF's at a very high level. Add in his great team defense and his considerable rebounding ability, and you still have a guy who still is a very good defensive presence. Bottom line, when he's out there, you are going to outscore your opponents much more often than not, and that is a good thing.

If we could get him, I wouldn't be against it. I don't expect Stephon to be here next season, and, quite frankly, I think that Kidd would be the best possible mentor for Rondo in taking him to the next level as a player. Kidd went through many of the same growing pains as a player, with regards to shooting and other areas, and found ways to either improve in those areas, or to effectively hide them. Rondo could be a bigtime star with a guy like Kidd whispering in his ear, and I think that Jason would really enjoy conveying his considerable knowledge to a player so similar to himself, and who is as intelligent as Rondo is.

Seriously, if we keep Eddie around here, do you think that having a 6' 4" HOF pass first point, who can defend any shooting guard out there with him would be a good thing? This is Jason Kidd we are talking about here to run our second unit. He is still a good player, and would greatly benefit from the reduced working load of coming off ofthe bench. We would be nuts to turn that down.

As for that happening, I doubt it. He and LeBron are very tight, Cleveland is possibly a more attractive destination "future-wise", Mo is a great shooter and so is a better tandem than Rondo if you play both point guards together, and Kidd hates us. I don't expect either Kidd or Marbury to wearing Kelley Green next season.

[Red2]

I don't think he's the guy for us even if he wanted to come here over cleveland which doesn't appear likely. THe challenge for Danny now is how to keep the Celtics relevant when Cleveland and LeBron is the team everyone is talking about. If you're a top free agent who do you want to play with? a 24 year old LeBron or a 33 year old KG who is injured. Danny has put a lot of stock in the idea of free agents wanting ot sign with us but if Cleveland wins the title we're going to be last year's news in a hurry and will be viewed as an aging team. Looking to the future I think we need another shooter ( Giddens might be the guy but I don't think so) and a 6 8 -6 10 guy who can defend, run the floor and hopefully hit the 3- ie a more athletic brian scalabrine- a big with size who can shoot and defend.

[campybatman]

you guys are crazy - if the team can't get Marbury back in his current role, Kidd is the next guy on my list...don't know if all the BS from a few years back has blown over or not - but Kidd hits the 3 ball very nicely and he still rebounds and sets up teammates great - can't play defense anymore, but i'd take his offensive game anyday.

Thank you.

Who doesn't remember when Boston fans booed and heckled Kidd over his off the court issues with his then wife. A lot of national fans did at that time. That was in the past, players move on. Especially, when money is the determining factor in any decision. You can go from disliking a certain city and fans to feeling indifferent.

People seem to forget that players like Payton and Garnett didn't want to come to Boston at first for their own reason(s). But, ultimately, their minds were changed. Say, Cleveland isn't an option but Boston is. Why wouldn't Kidd consider it if it's to sign for the same or close enough salary? He'll prolong his career playing behind Rondo and his statistics won't suffer that much when you've Pierce, Garnett and (Ray) Allen as teammates and a decent bench (depending on what Ainge does this off season). Also, Cassell isn't a good defensive player and he was thirty-eight when he signed here last season. Kidd won't turn thirty-seven until mid-season next season.

If it's about his defense, then I can see some concern. But, his overall skills haven't yet deteriorated to the point where he can't be a legitimate back-up or a temporarily starter (in the event of an injury) for Boston.

[Rocky5000]

I think Kidd is better than Fisher and would start over him. He and Kobe seem to get along well, so I think that if Kidd doesn't chase money, he'll go to LA. Which is fine with me, it'll be just one more reason not to like the guy.

[campybatman]

If Kidd prefers to play with either LeBron or Kobe. That's fine. I hope he isn't doing it to chase a ring.

I just didn't think the Lakers would be the right choice given the uncertainty of Kobe's and Jackson's futures there. Both hold an option in their current contract which will enable them to walk after this season.

[Kefa461]

No.......

[Bad-Thoma]

I'm not a Kidd fan either, but if he came here and accepted a role off the bench we would be a better team for it. His ability to get people shots is still incredible, he flat out knows how to be a point guard. He still knows how to play D too, he'll struggle with quickness but he can be moved around in match-ups when you have a guy like TA who can defend quickness pretty well. I don't see it happening with more minutes probably available in LA or CLE, but even if you hate him you've got to know he'll improve any team's bench that he lands on.

[TMU]

Wow, you guys are getting way ahead of yourselves. I highly doubt that Jason Kidd will accept a backup role. He has too much reputation and pride for such role.

They said the same thing about Marbury in NYC and Boston. Yet I have never heard of him complaining about it. That said, there is a good chance that Marbury could be taking a starting spot somewhere like Miami next year.

I don't see how the two players are in the same situation. Marbury was unwanted by his coach and teammates and was literally in the Knicks' doghouse for more than a season. His reputation was tarnished and no team was willing to offer him a starting position. Kidd, on the other hand, as old as he is, is still a respected player with formidable characters and excellent accomplishments. Until Kidd shows significant regress as a starting point guard and could no longer handle the position, I don't think he'll come off the bench.

[campybatman]

If Kidd's willing to come off the bench in Cleveland. Why would he object to that role in Boston? That is, Maurice Williams is signed longterm. Why would Cleveland decide to bench him in favor of Kidd? If Kidd signs with either Cleveland or Boston. He'll be a back-up. Or if his desire is to start, he signs with the Lakers or resigns with Dallas.

[TMU]

If Kidd's willing to come off the bench in Cleveland. Why would he object to that role in Boston? That is, Maurice Williams is signed longterm. Why would Cleveland decide to bench him in favor of Kidd? If Kidd signs with either Cleveland or Boston. He'll be a back-up. Or if his desire is to start, he signs with the Lakers or resigns with Dallas.

Well, Kidd never specifically said that he'll PLAY coming off the Cleveland bench.

For one, I don't think Cleveland will sign Kidd. With LeBron handling most of their possessions, they would prefer to have an additional shooter rather than a second playmaker - which is redundant since they already have Mo Williams, a shooter and a typical second playmaker.

But let's suppose Kidd signs with Cleveland. Cleveland can offer him a starting position by playing him at the point and slide Mo to the SG spot. On defense, Kidd can guard the opponent's SG and Mo can guard the opponent's PG. I don't think this will be a better formation than what they have right now, but it works. Boston, on the other hand, has no way to incorporate Kidd in the starting lineup. What this shows is that Cleveland is a better fit for him than Boston.

What I agree with you is that he's better than Starbury, but I can't foresee his coming to Boston. I just don't think he's ready to accept a secondary role whether that's in Boston or Cleveland.

[Avalanche]

I actually think Marbury is a better fit here than Kidd off the bench

[MyInsatiableOne]

I actually think Marbury is a better fit here than Kidd off the bench

Marbs may not be quite the ballhandler/passer Kidd is but there isn't a huge drop-off. And Kidd will never be (nor was he ever) half the scorer Marbury is...

[campybatman]

But let's suppose Kidd signs with Cleveland. Cleveland can offer him a starting position by playing him at the point and slide Mo to the SG spot. On defense, Kidd can guard the opponent's SG and Mo can guard the opponent's PG. I don't think this will be a better formation than what they have right now, but it works. Boston, on the other hand, has no way to incorporate Kidd in the starting lineup. What this shows is that Cleveland is a better fit for him than Boston.

Problem. Did you intentionally not mention West or is it that you don't think that highly of him as a starter for Cleveland? Because West has played reasonably well this season (when he has been healthy) starting along side of Williams. Especially, now that he has a defined role of being the off guard as oppose to shifting back-and-forth in the back court.

No, Kidd hasn't publicly announced that he'll be alright in a reserve role with Cleveland or any other team not Dallas. My point was to say that he can see what's going on in Cleveland with the present starters and might not want to rock the boat (disrupt team chemistry) and just find his niche off the bench. I mean he's a veteran but an older player who may or may not be in a position to command a starting guarantee from a team anymore.

In reality, Cleveland doesn't really have a point guard. They've all scoring guards in Williams, West and Gibson. Kidd provides them a player that won't necessarily come in to look for his shots. A player they haven't had since Snow who didn't pan out for them longterm. On the other hand, the Cavaliers' offense has the potential on paper to be much more explosive when you take the ball out of Williams' hands and reduce the amount of times LeBron has to be the main facilitator. Hence, why Kidd's eyes would widen knowing that his role and job will be that more simpler if he's a fourth or fifth option on offense. He'll have nothing more to do than to pass, rebound, make free throws, play defense and limit turnovers. All things that he's still doing well or adequate.

[TMU]

Problem. Did you intentionally not mention West or is it that you don't think that highly of him as a starter for Cleveland? Because West has played reasonably well this season (when he has been healthy) starting along side of Williams. Especially, now that he has a defined role of being the off guard as oppose to shifting back-and-forth in the back court.

In reality, Cleveland doesn't really have a point guard. They've all scoring guards in Williams, West and Gibson. Kidd provides them a player that won't necessarily come in to look for his shots. A player they haven't had since Snow who didn't pan out for them longterm. On the other hand, the Cavaliers' offense has the potential on paper to be much more explosive when you take the ball out of Williams' hands and reduce the amount of times LeBron has to be the main facilitator. Hence, why Kidd's eyes would widen knowing that his role and job will be that more simpler if he's a fourth or fifth option on offense. He'll have nothing more to do than to pass, rebound, make free throws, play defense and limit turnovers. All things that he's still doing well or adequate.

Thanks for bringing Delonte up into the discussion. For some reason I forgot to mention his impact on the floor. Anyway yes, Delonte is that extra shooter that I've implied in my previous posts. I like Cleveland's current formation. LeBron has too much control over the ball that his team is better off employing Delonte as an extra shooter rather than having Jason Kidd as the primary distributor. I think LeBron will be slightly less effective without the ball in his hands.

The Jason Kidd scenario that I mentioned is just an alternative formation. I brought it up to show that at least Cleveland can incorporate Kidd into their lineup; something the Celtics cannot do unless Kidd comes off that Celtics bench. And while I do respect your opinion, I still disagree that Kidd will accept a bench role.

[campybatman]

What Cleveland has discovered is that LeBron is part Jordan and part Pippen as oppose to just Jordan. That is to say, he isn't merely an offensive threat but a player capable of beating a team as a play maker and defender. Hence, I can agree with you that changing LeBron's role with the addition of Kidd in the slightest might not be logical or recommended. Because LeBron represents to Cleveland a player not seen by NBA fans since "Magic" Johnson. He can both score and pass exceptionally well. Kobe and Jordan are players who are more dominant scorers than they're passers. While LeBron and "Magic" can change a game doing either for their team.

I can understand if Kidd prefers to be a starter at this point in his career. If Nash can, he can. I mean you won't move up on the all-time NBA list in assists and steals any faster coming off the bench. Kidd ranks fourth or third in the NBA all-time in assists.