Jason Kidd thought of joining Spurs in 2003

NBA – The leader of the Nets, at the time, was courted by the Texans but had preferred to continue the adventure for a few years in New Jersey.

« Play me back and I’ll be fine. “The statement is from Tony Parker dated July 2003. If the French considered at the time to be shifted “shooting guard”, it was to make room for another playmaker, and one of the “free agents” most coveted on the market, likely to join the Texans: Jason Kidd.

The latter has just transfigured the Nets franchise after his transfer from the Suns two years earlier. After a sharply lost NBA final against the Lakers (0-4), New Jersey players have just lost a second straight final against the Spurs (2-4).

Like Kevin Durant with the Warriors in 2016, Jason Kidd, then the best point guard in the world, is courted by the Texans. ” Spurs called me and asked if I wanted to join them. And I said yes. I said yes to San Antonio when I went to visit Pop (Gregg Popovich) and Tim (Duncan), I said yes “, remembers today the coach of the Mavs, second in the vote for the MVP in 2002 behind… the legend of the Spurs.

The prospect of combining one of the best interiors in history and his equivalent in position 1 was enough to make the whole league salivate. ” And then I came home (laughs) and things have changed a bit “, continues the Hall of Famer, adding:” Because we had achieved so much in a short period that it had to continue. »

With the young Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson, just arrived in the league, the men of Byron Scott indeed had reason to be enthusiastic for the future. So Jason Kidd preferred to extend his lease with them.

With less success in the playoffs since the Nets will no longer find the conference finals.

What make him regret not having signed in San Antonio? A few years ago, he admitted to still having nightmares

. « The only thing I regret is: ‘What would have happened with Tim, Tony and Ginobili?’ Sometimes I think about what would have happened, probably multiple titles “Bet today Jason Kidd thinking of these Spurs who won the bet in 2005, then 2007.

If this association did not take place, Jason Kidd still got his ring by winning Texas a few years later. In 2008, he was thus transferred to the Mavs, against Devin Harris and Keith Van Horn in particular, to win the title three years later alongside another legend of this sport: Dirk Nowitzki.