The new head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, Jason Kidd, 48, was announced to be a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team (NBA 75). This team was selected and voted by a panel to honor the greatest 75 basketball players in the NBA as a part of the organization’s anniversary celebration.
October 29, 1996, 25 years ago, the then NBA commissioner David Stern announced the 50th-anniversary team. It was a team that included the 50 greatest players of all time. This all-star list included Michael Jordan, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, and Wilt Chamberlain.
On Thursday, October 21, 2021, the members of the NBA 75 Team were announced. With all 50 basketball legends from the 50th anniversary maintaining a position on the 75th-anniversary team, the panel had to select an additional 25 players to add to this all-star list. Representing one of the new additions to the team is Dallas Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd.
Upon learning this news, Coach Kidd responded, “Wow. Well, one, I’m surprised. Two, it’s a surreal moment, right? Seventy-five years and to be mentioned with that list. There’s a lot of great names, so I’m just happy they found a way to put my name on that list.”
In his senior year of high school, Jason Kidd was named the Naismith Player of the Year and Parade Player of the Year. He earned a scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley, became an All- American point guard, and was drafted to the NBA in 1994 by the Dallas Mavericks.
Kidd was drafted in the first round with the second pick. He went on to have a very successful career that ended with an NBA championship victory as a Dallas Mavericks after beating the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA finals. He was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 2018, won two Olympic gold medals, and was undefeated in his international career.
Kidd’s career as a player has proven that he is one of the greats and is further confirmed in his selection to the NBA 75 anniversary team alongside players like Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and Dwayne Wade.
Jason Kidds’ NBA records and accomplishments include NBA Co-Rookie of the Year, Top 10 in MVP Votes 5 times, five-time All-NBA first team, 9-time All-Defense team, ten-time NBA All-Star, No. 2 all-time record in assists with 12,091 (more than Magic Johnson), No. 2 all-time record in steals with 2,684 (more than Michael Jordan), No. 4 all-time record in triple-doubles with 107 (more than Wilt Chamberlain), No. 5 all-time record in minutes played with 50,111, No. 8 all-time record in assists per game with 8.69, No. 11 all-time record in 3-point baskets with 1,988, and No.12 all-time record in games played with 1,391.