Jason Kidd was saying all the right things, even kidding a bit, about being taken out of the New York Knicks’ starting lineup during a stretch in which he now is 0 for 10 on 3-point attempts.
Might have made things easier on Friday night that New York won its third game in a row, 96-88 over Washington, thanks in large part to Carmelo Anthony’s 30 points, Raymond Felton’s 23 and solid defence that held the Wizards without a field goal over the final 4 minutes Friday night.
Despite Kidd’s stat line – 28 minutes, four points, five assists, five fouls, and 0-for-4 shooting on 3s - and the fact that he was on the sideline at the opening tipoff for only the second time in his 50 games this season, he was able to poke a little fun at himself.
“I didn’t come in this league as a scorer and it doesn’t look like I’m going to leave as a scorer,” Kidd said with the hint of a smile. “The big thing is to keep taking those shots. They all feel good, look good. I’ll have to talk to the ‘3’ gods.”
That’s when a voice came from the left of Kidd, who turns 40 this month. It was Kurt Thomas, who already is 40 and didn’t play a minute on Friday, pointing out that Kidd ranks No. 3 on the NBA career list for 3-pointers made.
“Thank you,” Kidd said in return.