Links: Jason Kidd didn’t land in New Jersey…
Jason Collins landed on him!
Here’s a surprise: Jason Kidd is mixed up in a swirl of trade rumors! But this time they’re officially true, endorsed by Mr. Kidd himself, who told Ric Bucher…
“I’m not mad at anybody. Sometimes, when you ride a wave, you get to the end and that’s all there is. That’s where we are.”
So we’re at the end of a wave? Huh? Then who’s wearing the enchanted tiki idol?
Jason’s clumsy imagery aside, I think where we really are is that Jason Kidd just couldn’t take it anymore. And he was tired of lying to us about it. Let me explain…
As a fan of the Atlanta Hawks, I have empathy for Nets fans. I understand what it’s like when your franchise refuses to go one cent over the luxury tax threshold, when not spending money is way more important than winning championships. I’m not endorsing a Mark Cuban/open checkbook approach to running an NBA team, but I do think maybe it’s OK to occasionally go a few hundred G’s over the luxury tax threshold occasionally. Because sometimes teams screw up, and you might back yourself into a corner from time to time. And if you’re operating with no wiggle room, you can find yourself screwed for a long, long time.
The Nets have been playing this shoestring budget game for a while now. Last year’s luxury tax threshold ended up being $65.42 million, which was about $3.5 million more than the previous year. From that we can guess that this year’s tax threshold will end up being around $69.1 million. What’s the Nets cap number right now? $68.02 million. So even if it ends up being a little less than expected, the Nets won’t have to pay any tax. (Can’t you see Rod Thorn sitting in his office clipping coupons, making Sussman buy pens and notepads in bulk at Costco, doing just about anything to keep expenses down?)
Another interesting thing is figuring out exactly where that $68 million is going. Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson combine to withdraw $45 million of that amount. That’s almost understandable (except for the part about Vince being owed $49 million over the next three seasons.), because those three guys are supposed to be the core of the Nets, their beating heart, what keeps them in games from night to night. And then there’s Jamaal Magloire, who nets $4 million this season, and Bostjan Nachbar, who gets $2.5 mil. Other than that, nobody makes more than $2 million a season and nobody is signed past 2009.
That all seems pretty good, right? You pay your superstars, and then you surround them with guys making small amounts that you can move easily if the chemistry isn’t working out.
Problem is, this assumes two things: 1) That your superstars are worth what you’re paying them. 2) That you don’t screw up and sign anyone long-term who doesn’t deserve the money.
Regarding point one, you can make a fair argument that Kidd/Vince/RJ are worth 2/3 of the money you have available to pay your team. After all, they combine to average 60 percent of Jersey’s points, and Kidd posts triple-doubles every week.
Regarding point two, there’s a six-foot eleven-inch problem and his name is Jason Collins (a.k.a. Collins the Greater). Talking to Nets people, you’ll hear over and over how Collins is such a great guy, how he’s a model citizen, how he’s the smartest player on the floor. Problem is, he’s usually also the worst player on the floor. He’s played in 40 games this season and he averages 1.3 point per game to go with 2.1 rpg. That putrid ppg average puts Collins at 14th on the Nets in points per game. (Yes, fourteenth out of a twelve man roster. If he keeps this up we’ll have to switch out Jason and Jarron and make Jason into Collins the Lesser.)
Collins inability to contribute wouldn’t be much of an issue if it wasn’t for one thing: Jason Collins makes $6 million a season and is signed through next season. If he played for Dallas and was stealing this kind of money, nobody would care. But if you’re on Jersey and you’re taking up ten percent of the allotted salary space, this is a huge problem, because if they can’t move you for somebody who will fit better (i.e. average more than 1 point per game) everyone’s stuck. Collins is stuck, the Nets are stuck, and Kidd, Carter and RJ are all stuck. Oh, and Nets fans are stuck watching games and praying that Collins the Greater will be able to score more than 1 point per game.
Jason Collins isn’t the only reason the Nets are where they are, because the injury to Nenad Krstic pretty much ruined Jersey last year and has carried over this year, too. Also, other than their Big 3, they really don’t have anyone capable to stepping up and taking over the scoring load on an off night.
Much like traveling to the Meadowlands, we just took a circuitous route, but we’re finally getting to my point: Jason Kidd knew all this going in. He knew exactly what he was getting himself into. He supported — publicly, at least — Vince Carter getting paid beaucoups because of all them dunks that he done made. Kidd knew all along that the Nets were never going to break the bank to make themselves a true contender. But making money was more important to Jason Kidd than winning a championship.
Just before last year’s trade deadline, there was a lot of talk about the Nets making a big move, maybe even trading Jason Kidd to the Lakers. Rod Thorn, the Nets GM, came out and said they weren’t trading JKidd. Then I sat behind Thorn on the flight back from Vegas and watched him look over salary sheets for a bunch of NBA teams. But still, they didn’t make a move.
Before Kidd signed his current deal with the Nets, I interviewed him for a SLAM cover, and I asked him why, if winning really was so important to him, didn’t he sign for the minimum for one season with a great team?
LANG: WHAT’S YOUR ANSWER ABOUT NEXT YEAR? BECAUSE YOU’VE BEEN ASKED THAT EVERY DAY FOR TWO MONTHS…
KIDD: Yeah, it’s just…you know, I’ve enjoyed New Jersey, it’s been great, and we’ll see what happens July 1. Hopefully I can end my career as a Net.
LANG: DO YOU WISH YOU’D NEVER AGREED TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS, BECAUSE NOW THEY WON’T LEAVE YOU ALONE ABOUT IT?
KIDD: Yeah, I can’t do anything. So the big thing is, Jersey’s been great to me. Hopefully I can stay in Jersey.
LANG: WHAT’S GOING TO BE THE DECIDING FACTOR IN WHERE YOU SIGN?
KIDD: Well, the chance to win a championship, that’s what we play this game for, to be able to win and legitimately have a chance to win a championship, and I feel I can do that here.
LANG: SO WHY DON’T YOU TAKE A MILLION AND SIGN WITH L.A.?
KIDD: Well, you still have to have that challenge too, You don’t want to take the easy way out. Because it’s never guaranteed it will work out. It’s never guaranteed that you’re going to win a championship.
Or I guess he could have just said, “Because of the money, fool!”
He had a point, though: Championships aren’t guaranteed. But you better believe your odds are a lot better if you’re playing alongside two or three great players instead of two very good players.
Yet Jason Kidd still took that $100 million contract offer from the Nets four years ago. He knew exactly what he was getting himself into.
And look where it got him.
Or, maybe more importantly, look where it got the Nets.
53 Responses to “Links: Jason Kidd didn’t land in New Jersey…”
Jan.29 at 2:38 pm
At The End Of The Day says:
Hedo for Allstar
Jan.29 at 2:51 pm
joe says:
Doesn’t Kidd look like he should be saying “Hey Moe, nyuk, nyuk, nyuk” in that Pic?
Jan.29 at 2:53 pm
Bryan says:
Good stuff Lang.
Jan.29 at 2:54 pm
white hot eboy says:
Really good piece. Like the Brady link, too.
Jan.29 at 3:02 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Jason Collins’s suckitude is beyond the capability of human understanding, so why did Lawrence Frank start him TWENTY-TWO times this season? Why did they bother signing Jamaal Magloire? Virtually every team in the League has an expensive mistake or two on the roster, it’s the nature of the beast. The difference is that most teams don’t let said mistake start. And extending Carter was a mistake, too. I still think Kidd is wrong for pouting his way out of town (we’ll miss ya, T.J.!), but the problems start at the top.
Jan.29 at 3:03 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Also, in honor of All-Star in New Orleans, Ric Bucher should pronounce his name Ric Boo-shay.
Jan.29 at 3:07 pm
Jared says:
Na Joe, he looks like he’s saying ” i dont wanna sound like a queer, but I think depeche mode’s a sweet band” orgazmo anyone?
Jan.29 at 3:07 pm
Bryan says:
Are the Lopez twins any better than the Collins twins?
Jan.29 at 3:10 pm
Jared says:
They have athleticism…so yes…brook is nice
Jan.29 at 3:10 pm
white hot eboy says:
I’d put my money on the OLSEN twins in a 2 on 2 game. Those two lumbering oafs couldn’t keep up with those two munchkin faced gremlins.
Jan.29 at 3:24 pm
Chou says:
I miss Horace and Harvey.
Jan.29 at 3:26 pm
Co Co says:
Not that a player should be held responsible for the state of the team, but you have to know when you sign a $100 million contract and your owner is frugal/incompetent that you may not always be surrounded by quality players.
Jan.29 at 3:28 pm
Captain America says:
Very simple: J-Kidd is a quitter. His pouting and skipping today’s shoot-around are toxic to any team. The injury to Nenad Krstic and the prolonged rehab has been a major set back. But injuries happen, they’re like the unforced error. Pouting and withdrawing from team activities are forced errors. I couldn’t have been more pleased to have J-Kidd captain Team USA. But if I’m an NBA owner, I have to take into account Kidd’s worth not only on the floor but in the locker room and other team activities.
Jan.29 at 3:29 pm
Captain America says:
Chou, I bet you took them for grant(ed).
Jan.29 at 3:47 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Kidd for Marbury part II?
Jan.29 at 3:48 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Although I still like Randolph for Carter better.
Jan.29 at 3:54 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Ship Bynum’s A$$ out for Kidd … I mean, Lamar’s
Jan.29 at 3:56 pm
vic says:
Money talks. 1 Mil? Kneegrow please!
Jan.29 at 4:10 pm
Slick Nick Da Ruler says:
Kidd belongs in Dallas or Orlando. Thorn should ship Kidd to a Western team, where it is infinitely harder to make it to the Finals. So close, yet so far away.
Jan.29 at 4:14 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Can we Karl Malone’s thoughts on joining a couple of other All-Stars and taking less money in an effort to win a championship?
Jan.29 at 4:16 pm
janet says:
i used to be a big NJ Nets fan.. i guess i still am. i loved it when they had kenyon, scalabrini, williams. heck they even made it to the playoffs.. only to lose to the spurs and yea they cost me $200 (i lost the bet to my BF then, hubby now)… kidd is a great player but he should move.. he should have moved. heard that he was offered to move to SA spurs. he should have. they suck so bad, it hurts to even watch them. i remember watching them at the meadowlands and mci in dc… i got all the bad stares as i would cheer non stop for kidd. for his sake, while he can still do triple doubles, he should move…
Jan.29 at 4:18 pm
MD says:
Nice ‘Elevators’ reference…
Jan.29 at 4:33 pm
jbn74sb says:
No, Ryan, we can’t. It’s hunting season.
Jan.29 at 4:36 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
I’d actually like to hear Malone’s thoughts on that. He kinda sullied his legacy as a Jazz legend, but was it worth it? And it didn’t work out for GP in LA, but it worked pretty well in Miami.
Jan.29 at 4:39 pm
Sports fan says:
Kidd has no excuse. All of the pieces he needs are on the court with him every night. He’s playing with Vinsanity and Richard Jefferson, and a pretty good cast of role players. As if going anywhere else he would have a better chance! Perception is reality. Kidd perceives he can’t win in NJ. For him, it’s a championship or nothing. He would have to work too hard for a championship. He could at least try to make the Eastern Conference finals, or some goal. Instead he sets the bar really low, and then goes out and achieves it– nothing.
Jan.29 at 4:44 pm
jbn74sb says:
Malone getting injured, and GP getting dominated by Billups, were the main reasons LA lost to the Pistons that year. Eagle County was merely a blip…
Jan.29 at 4:50 pm
Ice says:
Good article, but even with Kidd the Lakers would have no shot at a championship. Kidd obviously knows that and his answer seemed to be a polite way of saying as much. But look around — there aren’t too many places for him to go where he could sign for the league minimum in exchange for a high probability of a championship. Most of the prime contenders (SA, Phoenix, Detroit, even Utah) are already set at PG, and the others (Cleveland, Miami, Lakers, Orlando, Houston) probably aren’t good enough for him to put them over the top. The only possible fits would be Dallas and Boston. He could really help both of those teams, but it’s not like either would be a lock even with him in the backcourt. Boston would still be old and thin, and the Mavs would still have a brutal path to the Finals and questionable crunch-time scoring. In short, the timing is not good for him to take a pay cut to put himself in a championship situation, so he might as well keep making the money in New Jersey.
Jan.29 at 5:06 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Yeah, the difference with Malone is that, as a PF, you don’t control the flow of the game, so being a complimentary players is a more feasible option. When you’re a PG through whom the entire offense flows, playing second (or third, or fourth) fiddle might not work as well.
Jan.29 at 5:07 pm
DIO says:
Yinka Dare is out there laughing his ass off…
Jan.29 at 5:07 pm
Ryan Jones says:
That said, I’m always happy to paint NBA players with the broad, green brush of greed. Or something.
Jan.29 at 5:15 pm
Kliford says:
Ship Odom and Kwame Brown for Kidd
Jan.29 at 5:24 pm
Joe says:
I have watched several Nets games and am truly flabbergasted at how bad Jason Collins is. My 8 year old - who is starting to get a feel for the game - turned to me at one point while watching a Nets game and said “Boy, Dad, that Collins guy is awful.” And I had to agree. Moves like a Redwood tree, hands like the Hoover Dam, and seems to be of no help during critical times in the game.
Jan.29 at 5:27 pm
joe says:
DIO, Somehow, I don’t believe Dare is laughing…maybe rolling….definitely not laughing…. Joe
Jan.29 at 5:59 pm
Sparker says:
never should have dumped mikki moore… and by the way, lang, marty burns is sending back his roypod. maybe you should use your pull and get him to ship it to slam, where it could become the much-valued prize in the (soon-to-be-announced) slamonline all-star game quiz…
Jan.29 at 6:12 pm
Ben Osborne says:
Mailman has a standing offer to talk to SLAM for our old-school section. So far, no go, which is no surprise from one of our long-time antagonists.
Jan.29 at 6:12 pm
Ben Osborne says:
RIP Yinka—me, GW class of ‘97
Jan.29 at 6:23 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Marty has my address. And at this point, if the Blazers send me a Roy-pod I’m deleting all the Brandon Roy highlights and loading it with Josh Smith and Joe Johnson highlights.
Jan.29 at 6:35 pm
Airick says:
Rebuttals to your passage lang: 1) there’s never enough money for anybody, especially when its a choice between 100 mil and 1 mil
2) admittedly they are older at the time, but look at malone + payton on the lakers
3) related to pt 1, if all the stars thinks like Duncan (who voluntarily takes less money, less years, for his team to sign others) we’d never have that many bad contracts today
4) Not exactly a rebuttal, but Kidd should know wtf he’s getting into when he is playing with Vince carter, dude is the definition of anti-heart/anti-competitiveness
Jan.29 at 6:37 pm
Ryne Nelson says:
If you keep those Roy highlights, Lang, you could make a pretty penny selling that Blazers collectors item in a few years.
Jan.29 at 6:58 pm
biz says:
Kidd is crazy and moody. He cares primarily about the money, but then gets pissed when his team runs out of money and can’t afford to sign another of his friends (Alonzo Mourning) who ends up not even being able to play! Kidd got to two Finals with the Nets and is credited with resurrecting a multi-billion dollar franchise. He should be grateful. He should shut up and play. Nobody can even trade for him because he makes too much damn money. Dallas would be insane to blow up their roster to get Kidd, who will just complain when he gets there that Dallas gave up good pieces to get him!
Jan.29 at 7:15 pm
Sesa says:
Nets should really sign Kwame Brown. If anyone had to configure on how to pass to Butterfinger, Kidd is the guy.
Jan.29 at 7:33 pm
Phil B says:
Lang, are the Josh Smith and Joe Johnson highlights from the last Blazer game when Roy blocked a Josh Smith shot and then shut down Joe Johnson at the end of the game? Those were good highlights. Actually they might already be on the iPod so I wouldn’t worry about it.
Jan.29 at 7:36 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
@Phil: Actually, one of the highlights would be when Brandon Roy smacked JJ in the face (with no call) right before JJ fired up that airball. Funniest part about that was on the replay the Blazers announcers — some of the worst homers in the NBA — completely ignored JJ getting hit, so badly that right as JJ gets popped on the replay Mike Rice exclaimed, “That’s why Brandon’s an All-Star!” Henry Abbott and I actually had a little e-mail back-and-forth about this yesterday.
Jan.29 at 7:49 pm
Phil B says:
oh that’s funny, i watched the blazers feed and i didn’t even notice it. that is one of the weird things about the nba, you can foul anyone at the end of a game, because no one wants to call it. as for the blazer announcers being the biggest homers, i’m not so sure about that. they seem to call things ok… i can definitely say i’ve heard a lot worse.
Jan.29 at 8:04 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Well, I can say it about the Blazers announcers being homers. They’d shame even Chuck Swirsky.
Jan.29 at 8:13 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
damn, thats a strong statement, Lang. The salami and cheese man is something else. I haven’t had a chance to read this piece yet, going now!
Jan.29 at 9:11 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
Completely agree with you Lang - but I also think that if lil’ Frank had started Boone and Williams at the start of the season the Nets would be doing a lot better right now. There is no way that they get fair-value for Kidd and they’ll be screwed until they also get rid of Carter’s contract.
Jan.29 at 9:27 pm
markis6385 says:
maybe if vince would bcome a complete player instead of the nique of this generation kidd might have a chance 2 win.
Jan.30 at 1:21 am
TC says:
^^^ What are u talking about? VC is the Nique of this generation? How old is VC? 30-31 yrs old maybe? He played like the 38 years old Nique not the 30 years old Nique. You think if a 30 years old Dominique Wilkins is playing on this team with JKidd and RJ that the Nets would suck this bad?? You cannot be serious!! And Russ, you actually want VC to go to NY? I thought u can’t stand watching this guy?!?! The NY fans would eat him alive!! I met the Collins brothers once at a black jack table in Vegas. I sat beside Jarron for 30-40 minutes while he waited for his brother and Jarron really is a nice guy. He’s really down to earth and very easy going and fun to talk to. But he wasn’t much of a black jack player though and everyone at the table try to teach and explain things to him on betting strategies. He tells some jokes and chat with everyone at the table. There were a lot of NBA players at the Bellagio that day. Bruce Bowen can’t dress for sh**!! Alonzo Mourning looked a lot shorter than I expected and was walking with 4-5 body guard type dudes. Laphonso Ellis was constantly talking on his cell and had the dirtiest adidas runners on. Mengke Bateer looked huge and intimitating. Mark Eaton’s head was a few inches from the ceiling. Jason Collins’ girl friend was the biggest hot girl I have seen, she wasn’t fat or anything but was as tall as Jarron. Brian Russell looked lost. Our dealer at the table said she saw Yao Ming and said his head was “so so so big.”
Jan.31 at 9:39 am
riggs says:
i think that was his point^
Jan.31 at 9:46 pm
Miles Above the Rest says:
JKidd will never win a chip, nor will Vince
Feb.4 at 10:49 am
Kevin says:
wow, announcers who are bigger homers than Chuck? say it not so!
Feb.4 at 5:44 pm
Galo says:
But yo’, he did get to the finals. So the Nets wasn’t such a lousy deal after all.