Olympic Qualifiers Don't Slow Down Jason Kidd

When Jason Kidd agreed to play for Team USA in an Olympic qualifying tournament in Las Vegas, some questioned why the 34-year-old point guard wouldn't want to rest his body over the summer instead.

Kidd already had accomplished plenty in international competition, winning a gold medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. And he could be forgiven for wanting to put his feet up after playing in 92 games for the Nets last season, including the playoffs.

But even after helping Team USA to the Tournament of the Americas title, Kidd looks ready for the challenge of leading the Nets all over again as the team gets set to begin training camp in just over a week.

"I feel great," said Kidd. "I'm in the best shape I've ever been in at this time of the year. Physically and mentally, I'm ready to go."

Those should be encouraging words for the Nets and their fans. Regardless of whatever changes the Nets made during the offseason, they still will need Kidd to somewhat resemble the player he was last season, when he notched 12 regular-season triple-doubles and averaged one during the postseason (14.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 10.9 assists).

While it seems unlikely that Kidd could duplicate such a sustained high level, he may not have to; the Nets re-signed Vince Carter and expect to have Nenad Krstic back from a torn left ACL. Also, Richard Jefferson is said to have completely recovered from the ankle surgery he underwent during the middle of last season. Though Jefferson played well down the stretch and in the playoffs, he said he wouldn't be fully healed until he was able to rest over the summer.

The Nets also signed free agents Jamaal Magloire, Malik Allen and Robert Hite and drafted shot-blocking specialist Sean Williams. They might also have Allan Houston coming off the bench this season, if the former Knick - who hasn't played in two years due to knee problems - accepts an invitation to training camp and makes the team. Kidd was planning a golf outing with Houston last week.

Still, it's good for the Nets to know that if they do need to lean on Kidd the way they did last season, he feels he will be able to handle it.

"A lot of people asked why I played (in Las Vegas), but I didn't have to do too much," Kidd said. "I just got the ball into LeBron (James), Kobe (Bryant) and Carmelo (Anthony) and played a little defense. Practice and warming up before the games were harder than the games."

In Vegas, where he averaged 15.8 minutes in 10 games - all U.S. victories - Kidd worked with Nets shooting coach Bob Thate, who helped him make a career-high 43% last season. Since the tournament ended with a victory over Argentina in the finals three weeks ago, Kidd has gotten plenty of rest, but continued working hard, lifting weights and swimming.

With camp set to begin Oct.2, Kidd likes the Nets' chances of improving on the 41-41 record they had last season, when they were eliminated by Cleveland in six games in the second round of the playoffs.

"We're a veteran ballclub so there's not anything new that we have to work through," said Kidd. "It's just a matter of being healthy and everybody being on the same page."

source : nydailynews.com