Knicks point guard (and Voldemort look-alike) Jason Kidd has announced his retirement after 19 seasons in the league.
The 40-year-old Kidd joined the Knicks this past off-season and proved to be a vital part of their success this season, however, he faded down the stretch and played miserably during the playoffs. A 2011 champion with the Dallas Mavericks (where he bagen his career), and a 10-time All-Star, Kidd has the second most assists in league history.
Kidd was known for his grace and smarts on the court as much as his bone-headedness off of it, which including beating his wife and driving into a pole.
Kidd's best basketball was played as a leader of two New Jersey Nets teams that advanced all the way to the NBA finals in a weakened post-Jordan, pre-LeBron Eastern Conference, only to lose both times to the Spurs and Lakers. He remains beloved in New Jersey for his contributions to the best Nets teams in history (evidenced by the wearing of many Kidd jerseys during the final Nets game in Newark).
Kidd's retirement comes as a pleasant surprise to Knicks fans, who feared that Kidd would play out the rest of his contract. Even though he doesn't open up much money for a marquee free agent, this will allow the Knicks to sign a younger, healthier point guard.
In a statement, the future Hall-of-Fame member expressed appreciation of his time in the NBA:
“My time in professional basketball has been an incredible journey, but one that must come to an end after 19 years. As I reflect on my time with the four teams I represented in the N.B.A., I look back fondly at every season and thank each and every one of my teammates and coaches that joined me on the court.”
