Nets Retire Jason Kidd’s Number
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A Marlin/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — One of the greatest players in Nets history received his due on Thursday night as the team retired Jason Kidd’s No. 5 jersey.
Kidd, who is now the team’s head coach, spent six and a half seasons with the Nets, and instantly turned them into a marquee team in the NBA.
The season before Kidd arrived in Newark, the Nets won just 26 games. In Kidd’s first season with the team, the Nets won 52 games.
Kidd also took the team to consecutive appearances in the NBA finals while also helping the Nets win four Atlantic Division titles.
“I don’t know if anyone’s had their number retired and had to go to work,” Kidd said. “I’m a rookie coach. So this game [the ceremony] being [in the] preseason is something I wanted. I wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible and then get back to my team.”
Kidd spent 19 seasons in the NBA with the Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, and New York Knicks. He averaged 12.6 points, 8.7 assists, and 6.3 rebounds per game.
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