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Jason Frederick Kidd nicknamed J-Kidd (born March 23, 1973 in Oakland, California) is an American basketball player. more...

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He is currently the starting point guard for the New Jersey Nets of the NBA. He led the Nets to two consecutive NBA Finals appearances (2002 and 2003) and is considered one of the best players of his generation as well as one of the greatest playmakers in NBA history. His on-court versatility also makes him a regular triple-double threat, and he is fourth all-time for triple-doubles in the NBA with a career total of 76 (as of May 14, 2006).

Early life and college

Kidd was born in Oakland, California, the oldest of three children of Steve and Anne Kidd. His father was African-American and his mother Irish Catholic. He was raised in the Oakland Hills, an upper middle class section of Oakland just outside San Francisco, California. During his youth, Kidd excelled in soccer as well as other sports.

After graduating from St. Joseph Notre Dame High School in Alameda, California, where he led his team to back-to-back California Division 1 state titles, Kidd attended the University of California, Berkeley. His successful collegiate career as a star point guard was topped off by his selection as a First Team All-American during his sophomore year, after which Kidd subsequently opted to enter the NBA Draft in 1994.

NBA career

Rising star: From Dallas to Phoenix

He was selected as the second pick overall by the Dallas Mavericks, behind Glenn Robinson of Purdue. In his first year he averaged 11.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 7.7 assists, sharing 1995 NBA Rookie of the Year honors with Grant Hill of the Detroit Pistons. He was a member of the "Three J's" in Dallas along with Jim Jackson and Jamal Mashburn, and many hoped that the trio would lead Dallas to success for years to come; however, that plan did not come to fruition, as all three found themselves playing for other teams shortly thereafter. Kidd was traded to the Phoenix Suns along with Tony Dumas and Loren Meyer for Michael Finley, A.C. Green, and Sam Cassell during the 1996-1997 season. In 2001, after five seasons in Phoenix in which the team made the playoffs each year under Kidd, he was traded to the New Jersey Nets for Stephon Marbury.

Face of a franchise: New Jersey Nets

The 2001-02 season saw Kidd lead the Nets to a surprising 52-30 finish, and marked one of his best all-around seasons as he finished second to the Spurs' Tim Duncan in MVP voting. Many have argued that Kidd deserved to win the award because of his impact in New Jersey—transforming the Nets from perennial league doormats into championship contenders seemingly in the space of a single training camp. His contribution to the Nets during his first season in New Jersey was huge, and resulted in one of the greatest turnarounds in NBA history. He was also fortunate to join the team when he did, as the team reaped the benefits of the newly healthy Kenyon Martin and Kerry Kittles, and the trading of Eddie Griffin for Richard Jefferson and Jason Collins.

Read more at Wikipedia.org