LINK

Jason Kidd hasn't spoken to Jeremy Lin yet.

But when he does, he'd like to teach the young point guard a simple lesson: how to slow down.

"He just plays at one gear and it's a very high gear," Kidd said on Thursday shortly after signing his three-year, $9 million deal with the Knicks. "So we'll sit down and talk about trying to find that fourth and third gear so that he has the energy to finish ballgames. We want him to play the whole season. At just one gear, it's hard to play 82 games."

Kidd, an 18-year veteran, said he's "excited" to serve as a mentor to the 23-year-old Lin. Kidd was introduced on Thursday at the Knicks' practice facility along with veteran center Marcus Camby.

"I still feel I can start but this is a role they need," Kidd said of backing up Lin. "I'm a basketball player. When I'm out there, I'm a leader. I'll continue to lead. I'm looking forward to the new role."

"To have the chance to mentor a very good player, to be able to share what I've learned the last 18 years, is something I've been looking forward to," he added.

The veteran superstar point guard, who single-handedly led an average team to the NBA finals back-to-back, mentoring the up-and-coming POSSIBLE superstar point guard. This is SO very long overdue for us.

Hopefully this improves Lin's game. I think it will - a very wise investment in the future of our PG.

OasisBU wrote:You know I was disappointed we didn't get Nash - but I think Kidd may end up being the better teacher.

Hopefully this improves Lin's game. I think it will - a very wise investment in the future of our PG.

Oasis - excellent point.

Nash is a puny girlie man. Pablo Prigioni would crush Steve Nash with his massive biceps like an aluminum can under a Mack Truck. Jason Kidd has a much more well rounded game than Nash. Lin is 6'3 and does not back down from contact - we dig that about him. Jeremy could be mentored by Kidd into being a better rebounder.

Besides, did you check out the sharp suit that Jason Kidd wore to the news conference?

EnySpree wrote:seriously....but Kidd also talked about the "last 6 minutes"....that's where you win or lose a ball game. I always said that. Kidd wants to be in there at the end of games. We'll see how it plays out

I suspect the end of game lineup will be Kidd, Lin, Amare and Melo with either Tyson or JR in depending on offense/defense need

fishmike wrote:

EnySpree wrote:seriously....but Kidd also talked about the "last 6 minutes"....that's where you win or lose a ball game. I always said that. Kidd wants to be in there at the end of games. We'll see how it plays out

It will be REALLY interesting. I suspect they play together quite a bit. Its weak defensively but it gives you two heady guys and Lin can really score so playing the 2 is fine.

I suspect the end of game lineup will be Kidd, Lin, Amare and Melo with either Tyson or JR in depending on offense/defense need

Don't sleep on Camby either....I for one will be watching closely. If Amare has 2-4 rebounds leading into the 4th quarter like he does sometimes, i hope Camby is rewarded with those crunch time minutes. No way does Camby enter the fourth quarter with only 2-4 rebounds

Jason Kidd will make the everyone more aware of the passing game. His best recent quote?

“I want guys to touch the ball as much as possible, In this league, if you sit on one guy, it’s a lot easier to defend. It’s a lot of fun the more guys touch the ball.”

The Answer Man is still rubbing his eyes over the reality that Jason Kidd occupies a spot previously reserved for Toney Douglas.

Somewhere in Las Vegas, Iman Shumpert is accelerating his rehab routine so he can join the party.

Camby, with his high school point guard beginnings, is an excellent passer. We already know Jason Kidd loves the assist. Tyson Chandler will benefit from having a floor leader who can deliver the ball on a silver platter.

If Amar'e gets in foul trouble, Carmelo can slide to the four beside either Chandler or Camby at the five. Novak at the three.

The shift line possibilities give The Answer Man a headache.

smackeddog wrote:Kidd has been great throughout his career- but can anyone answer this question: why did the Suns trade him to the Nets for Marbury? What was the reasoning at the time? Its one of the most boneheaded trades outside of Knicks history! I can't remember what the heck the Suns were thinking- was Kidd not as good back then? I remember he was traded from Dallas by Don Nelson due to a disasterous locker room (and probably Don Nelson being drunk at the time), but I thought his attitude issues were sorted by the time he was traded by Phoenix.

At the time, Marbury was killing the league on the Nets. He was playing his best ball. Marbury was averaging 23pts and 8 assists a game as a NJ Net....Marbs tems didn't win because the team was injured every year he was there....Kidd got there and everyone all of a sudden was healthy.

smackeddog wrote:

EnySpree wrote:

smackeddog wrote:Kidd has been great throughout his career- but can anyone answer this question: why did the Suns trade him to the Nets for Marbury? What was the reasoning at the time? Its one of the most boneheaded trades outside of Knicks history! I can't remember what the heck the Suns were thinking- was Kidd not as good back then? I remember he was traded from Dallas by Don Nelson due to a disasterous locker room (and probably Don Nelson being drunk at the time), but I thought his attitude issues were sorted by the time he was traded by Phoenix.

At the time, Marbury was killing the league on the Nets. He was playing his best ball. Marbury was averaging 23pts and 8 assists a game as a NJ Net....Marbs tems didn't win because the team was injured every year he was there....Kidd got there and everyone all of a sudden was healthy.

Ah thanks- amazing how much Marburys career and reputation went downhill, while Jason Kidd's sky rocketed.

misterearl wrote:Miami may have the Big Three

New York has the most dynamic set of lead guards in the NBA.

Felton, Kidd, and JR Smith