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Chat Reel: Jason Kidd
Suns guard talks NBA Playoffs
Posted: Wednesday April 26, 2000 05:03 PM
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Jason Kidd expects to return to the lineup by the second round of the playoffs if the Suns get by the Spurs. Jamie Square/Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's NBA Playoffs chat with Phoenix Suns guard Jason Kidd. Hi Jason. Thanks for joining us.
Jason Kidd: Thank you.
From Tom in Chandler, Ariz: What is your status right now in terms of coming back to play? I know you’ve said you don’t want to rush anything, but do you feel you’re making enough progress to return in this series?
Jason Kidd: My progress has improved, but it's more likely that I'll be back for the second round than the first.
From Carlos in Phoenix: Jason -- where do you see the team's chemistry right now without you? And what are the key things this team needs to do to win these next two games at home against the Spurs?
Jason Kidd: The guys are playing extremely hard. Going to San Antonio and winning was huge. San Antonio is a great defensive team. For us to be successful we have to take advantage of our scoring opportunities.
From Guest: Do you think having Tim Duncan sitting out offsets you being out?
Jason Kidd: Well, I think Tim is a big part of the Spurs' success. Maybe that offsets me being out. The way we're playing, when I went down, the Suns have had more time to adjust to me being out than the Spurs have with Tim out.
From Marty: What do you think about the addition of Kevin Johnson coming out of retirement to play point guard in your absence?
Jason Kidd: I wish he would've come back sooner because KJ brings veteran leadership and knowledge of the game. His return has helped us dramatically. KJ's leadership was proven in Game 1. He kept everybody under control and you need that in the playoffs.
From Josh: The progress made by young rookie Shawn Marion has been incredible. How important is he to the success of the Suns?
Jason Kidd: I think that every game Shawn has played well, we've had great success. With him being a rookie he has shown great control and understanding of the game and has been a big surprise for everybody. When he plays well, the Suns play well. If he has a great series, I think he can help the Suns move on to the second round.
From Guest: Who is the toughest defensive player that you have ever played against in the NBA? could you give a story as an example to illustrate?
Jason Kidd: Gary Payton is probably the toughest defender I've gone against. He knows what I can do and what I like to do. I can recall trying to post Gary up or trying to different stuff during the game and would always remind me he knew what I was going to do. He'd steal the ball or deflect a pass and give me a wink to remind me he knew what I was going to do.
From John in Irvine, Calif.: In watching the Suns' first two games with San Antonio, have you identified any ways the team can improve over the rest of the series? GET WELL SOON!
Jason Kidd: Thank you, hopefully I will get well soon. I think the Suns have to make it more of a transition game, faster-paced so we can cause some havoc. We have some great finishers and we'll need to use our strength and push the ball. That can lead to easy baskets. In the playoffs easy baskets tend to lead to wins.
From NVPACK: What have you told your team entering the playoff series with the Spurs?
Jason Kidd: I've wished them to go out and play hard. After Game 1, I called them in the hotel and congratulated everybody on a great game and wished them a good game in Game 2.
From Brian in North Carolina: Your basketball mentality has changed over the years. When you first entered the league, you were primarily a pass first-shoot second guard. How much emphasis have you put on your ability to score in more recent years?
Jason Kidd: Everybody has criticized me for not looking to shoot or score. I take it upon myself to work on it in the summer. It'll make passing and finding my teammates a lot easier.
From Mikey: Your shot has greatly improved since your rookie year. To what do you attribute that?
Jason Kidd: Being consistent and working out every summer and continuing to shoot jumper after jumper and not being satisfied that my percentage has gone up. I want to be a consistent shooter.
From Jason: What is your favorite moment with your career with the Suns?
Jason Kidd: My favorite moment would probably be making it to the playoffs in my first year with the Suns. That was the highlight of my career here in Phoenix - making it to the playoffs.
From Guest: The Suns had a great year, even with the terrible injuries, but are the Suns going to have to do to fill the need of a true center?
Jason Kidd: There's no Shaquille, no David Robinson, no Mutombo, so we feel confident in Luc Longley. You have to play with who you have, you can't dream about having someone else.
From Marty: Hello Jason, Describe what the addition of Penny Hardaway has meant to the Phoenix Suns overall success this season?
Jason Kidd: I think one of the stats is that we've won over 65% of our games when he's in the lineup, maybe even higher. He's been a great asset and has helped us to where we are today. He's also helped each guy individually.
From TYS in Powell, Ohio: Do you enjoy working with Penny Hardaway? How do you guys get along?
Jason Kidd: I enjoy working with Penny. The unfortunate thing is that we've both been hurt at different times. We need to be healthy at the same time so we can work together. Once that happens, the sky's the limit.
From Guest: How do you feel your chances are if you guys go against the Lakers in the second round of the playoffs, considering you already have matchup problems against the Admiral?
Jason Kidd: Well, we first have to get past SA, when you talk about Shaq, you talk about the MVP league. You have to try to contain him and hope he has a bad day. You just have to take advantage of that when that happens.
From Ryan in Richmond, Va.: Is this young Phoenix team in awe of the Lakers or are the Suns a team that doesn't care about all the hype and media attention the Lakers are receiving?
Jason Kidd: I think you've got a group of guys who have been on different teams. We're not concerned about the hype. We're still focused on the game that has to be played. So we're not afraid of anybody.
From Guest: What's the biggest difference between your old coach Danny Ainge and Scott Skiles? They both look like they are pretty intense on the sidelines!
Jason Kidd: Both are very intense. And both are competitors and want to win. Skiles wants to let you know the mistakes you've made. And Ainge believes you know the mistakes you've made and that you won't make it again. They're similar in that they're both competitors and want to win.
From Gary in Hunting Beach, Calif.: I'm an Arizona native and a long time Suns fan. If Phoenix could pick up one free agent after the end of the season, who would you pick to join the team?
Jason Kidd: If it was Tim Duncan, I would love to pick up Tim Duncan. But that'd be in a fantasy league. So either Tim Duncan or Grant Hill.
From Mike: Assuming the Suns do advance and make it to the second round, how close to 100% do you think you will be?
Jason Kidd: I'll be pretty close to 100% because I won't go back unless I am 100%.
From Guest: On a TV interview the other day I saw you had gone "Rodman" and colored your hair? What's up with that?
Jason Kidd: Well, I didn't go "Rodman". I did color my hair when I got hurt. I went to the salon with my wife and they dared me to do it. I just haven't gotten it cut since, that's all.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have for today. Thanks for taking the time to join us Jason. Good luck with your recovery and to the Suns in the Playoffs.
Jason Kidd: Thank you very much.
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