The Los Angeles Lakers’ hiring of Jason Kidd as an assistant coach was rightfully met with a lot of criticism. Beyond the off-court issues, Kidd’s reputation as a coach is not sterling clean.
Nevertheless, there are some things that the former Hall of Fame point guard can accomplish on the staff. Among them, according to Kidd himself in an ESPN interview, is an ability to help LeBron James stay fit for the whole season and prolong his career as the superstar gets older:
“It’s about running the marathon. At 35 years old, I’ve had some experience at playing later in my career and being able to run that marathon, and so hopefully being able to share with some things that helped me be successful in running that marathon at 35 years old.”
James missed extended time with an injury last year for the first time in his career and it seems clear that age is ever so slightly catching up to him. Kidd, meanwhile, managed to be a mostly positive contributor in the NBA into his late-30’s (he retired a month after turning 40 years old) and while James is nowhere near being washed up, he can probably take notes from Kidd about how to continue extending his career and keeping himself healthy for the playoffs.
Kidd also spoke highly of James’ abilities although he confirmed there has not been a ton of communication between the two former USA basketball teammates, yet.
“Well you’re talking about one of the smartest players in the world, you’re talking about one of the best players to ever play the game the right way, and so I’m very excited to have the opportunity to help him hopefully achieve his goal and our goal as the Lakers, and that’s to win a championship.”
“I don’t try to bother him. This is their time off. I know he’s shooting a movie right now with ‘Space Jam 2,’ and then I try to stay away from him on Tuesdays because Tuesday is Taco Tuesdays and he’s very, very, very busy making those tacos.”
That’s right. Taco Tuesday is a phenomenon that will not be interrupted.
