Oh, Jason Kidd, we'll miss you dearly

With the announcement that Jason Kidd is leaving the NBA, as a player, we must acknowledge all that he has done for the game of basketball. An assist machine, a floor general, and essentially an on court coach that has been able to produce victories and buckets wherever he has gone. From his days as a Sun, a Net, a Maverick, and even a Knickerbocker, Kidd has inspired great play from those around him.

The man has spent 19 years competing for a title and only one ring to show for it. That being said, the 40 year old point guard came into the league in 1994 and won the Rookie of the Year award alongside Grant Hill (who also retired this offseason). From there, you knew Kidd was a force to be reckoned with. He finished his career with averages of 12.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 8.7 APG. He was never a scorer, but rather, a facilitator. He put Kenyon Martin on the map as a true force in the frontcourt and again helped showcase the talents of Dirk when the two teamed up to take down the Heat and win Kidd's only championship. In his 19 years, Kidd placed onto 9 All-Defensive teams and 6 All-NBA teams.

Jason was called "First Ballot" by the guys in his New York Knick locker room, and was praised by coach Mike Woodson for the entire season. He is the second all time NBA leader in assists (12,091) and accumulated 107 triple doubles. Kidd also totaled over 17,500 points, 8,500 rebounds, 12,000 assists, and 2,500 steals for his career. No other player has ever been close to that bar, proving how elite Kidd truly was as a point guard.

Jason Kidd is a winner. He was put on the Knicks roster during the offseason after they were unable to get Steve Nash. But hey, Nash has never been prolific in the postseason, so the Knicks considered this signing to be a blessing in disguise. Unfortunately by the time the NBA playoffs came around, Kidd was seen more on the bench than anywhere else. Pablo Prigioni got the start over him. Jason just didn't have much left in the tank when they needed him most.

Now, as a Knick fan, the loss of Jason Kidd is saddening, but there is a silver lining: $3 million dollars in cap space that Glen Grunwald didn't have before. That money, although preferred to be spent on a player like Kidd, will be put in a younger, faster specimen hoping to unleash himself onto the NBA. Personally I think the best option would be Rodrigue Beaubois, Jeff Teague, or Darren Collison. Even Jarrett Jack proved to be a consistent threat down the stretch. With all this newly acquired cash, the Knicks will be able to make a serious play for a scoring backup guard, who's name isn't JR Smith. Maybe if Mo Williams didn't want to be starter, and instead help propel a winning team, he could leave the Jazz and free up some cap space for them. How crazy would that be? The Utah Jazz could make a move for a Brandon Jennings type of player, or even outbid the Knicks for JR.

All in all, Jason Kidd will be missed, but now I'm more excited than ever to see what moves we plan to make this offseason to get back to the second round (and maybe, just maybe, the eastern conference finals).

#5 for life bro! #FirstBallot