Kidd - A leader by example.

Diatribe #23 - June 20, 2003
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
OK everybody - deep breath, exhale.

Netsfans, you survived the 2002 - 2003 season, up to and including the turbulent regular season, a mad crazy playoff run, and a most disappointing end in the Finals once again. Yes, the Spurs could be taken. But they were most likely still the better team. Or at least better coached, if we listen to at least 75% of Netsfans out there.

So it's over. Or is it just beginning? If you thought the season was turbulent, wait until you see the off-season.

Well, then again, maybe not. Depending on Jason Kidd.

We all know the drill by now, and have been reading about it since about 1 minute after the end of Game 6 on Sunday night. Kidd is going to play out his option, and test the free agent waters. Since the Nets didn't win a championship, there is no guarantee that Kidd will re-sign with New Jersey.

He may (or may not) be able to make more money if he stays put. He may (or may not, but mostly like may) have issues with Byron Scott's coaching. He may (or may not) leave because Eddie Jordan, who has Kidd's upmost respect, is leaving to coach the Wizards. He may (or may not) team with Tim Duncan to bring the Spurs another championship. He may explore other options, like Golden State (yeah, right), Denver (not a chance in hell) or even Sacramento (logic dictates that Kings GM Geoff Petrie isn't as stupid as to fall for that, and said as much yesterday).

I can't tell you all the possibilities with Kidd as well as most of you, and any beat reporter worth his salt. So stick to someone else's advise on what Kidd may or may not do (start with McGann).

What I can tell you is this, simply: actions speak much louder than words. Forget about what's being said in the newspapers, because Kidd and GM Rod Thorn are certainly not saying anything for public consumption other than the usual plaudits.

Kidd is being coy - that's his right, after all - but now is the time for him to stop talking and start figuring out what he wants to do next season. Does he want to continue to be the savior of the Net franchise, and keep himself in the ultimate media spotlight of the New York area? Or does he want to forego his spot as the miracle worker in order to win a championship somewhere else?

Kidd says that winning is more important than money. Believe him on that, considering the difference in the amount of pay he can get from New Jersey may not be as great as was once calculated. It will come down to what Rod Thorn can do to revamp the team yet again to get Kidd back into the Finals, and have another chance at winning it all.

If Kidd stays in the East, the Nets are probably the favorites once again (barring any disaster such as injury). Kidd gets a better than average chance to run the table in the East and take his chances in the Finals.

If he switches to the West (and unless he's playing for the mid-level exception for the Lakers, it's got to be the Spurs), he's going to guarantee himself nothing but playing with a dominant center. He still has to get by the Lakers, Kings and Mavericks, assuming he's a Spur, which ain't gonna be no picnic.

Tough choice. As you no doubt have read, you can make a list of ten reasons why Kidd should stay and ten reasons why he should go, and they'd all be correct.

Forget what he says and watch what he does. Family will have to be taken into consideration, including Joumana's career. He'll want assurances if not a roadmap from Thorn as to the improvements being considered in the off-season. He'll want the max contract, which he'll easily get. And he may yet want Scott out of the picture, if some of the rumor mill is to be believed.

Unfortunately, you can't begin to watch what Kidd, or Thorn, do until July 16, the first date that free agent signings are allowed.

Though I'm not nearly as confident as I was just ten days ago, I think Kidd will stick around. Look for many other changes to the Nets, on and off the court. Some of them perhaps even mandated by Kidd.

What about Thorn's actions? Just think about all the things he has on his plate, beginning with the draft. He has to re-sign Kidd, or come up with a plan to replace him if he goes elsewhere. He needs a new assistant coach (and do you think Byron's going to be allowed to hire any of his Laker buddies?). He needs to make a decision on Scott's contract, which has one year remaining.

He most likely will let Lucious Harris walk and look for a shooting guard that is more consistent. He needs to work something out with Nenad Krstic's team and get his ass to the Summer League. He still needs a backup point guard, especially if Anthony Johnson is allowed to walk. He needs to consider upgrading by trading, since the Nets are not salary-cap friendly. He needs to make sure Martin's head isn't screwed up by his 3 - 23 Game 6, and whether or not to extend his contract, which has one more year to run. He needs to make sure Jefferson doesn't get too cocky too soon, and stop working toward being a potential All Star player. He needs to find a way to make Dikembe Mutombo and Rodney Rogers to come back strong, motivated and most importantly, in shape.

The list goes on. But it starts with Kidd. That one action alone - getting Kidd to sign on the dotted line for another six or seven years, whether he persuades Kidd or Kidd simply decides this is where he belongs - is the only thing that matters for the future of the franchise. If Kidd doesn't come back, all the energy and excitement (if not ticket sales) of a franchise rising phoenix-like from the ashes is like gone as well.

Thorn needs to pull rabbit out of the hat and make the right moves this off-season. Wish him well on what could represent the future of the franchise teetering in the balance, since it's not certain what those right moves even are.

Sure, the franchise will survive without Kidd. Kenyon Martin, Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins and Kerry Kittles, plus Mutombo, Aaron Williams and Rogers if he stays, aren't a bad nucleus. Martin may yet turn out to be the best Net ever. But he'll never bring what Kidd brings to the table.

Stability. All-out, all-the-time play. A winning mentality. Plus the ooh-and-aah star power that Martin and Jefferson can't touch, no matter how many 'oops and highlight reel plays they make.

That's Captain Crunchtime, Jason Kidd.

Let's hope his actions keep him around, no matter what his (or anyone else's) words may say.

One last note: there will be one last backlash coming this weekend, then some draft stuff leading up to June 25. A bit more free agent and rumor-mill reporting up to about July 1, and then Joe and Champagne will go their separate ways on vacation until mid-July. We'll catch up with the latest news on Kidd and the rest of free agency when we return, and we'll keep you informed of the plans for JNF from there. Make sure to check back here. If I don't speak to any of you before then, have a great off-season. Try not to think about what comes next for awhile.
- Joe

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