Knicks' Woodson: Jeremy Lin Will Get Starting Nod At Point Guard Over Jason Kidd
NEW YORK (WFAN) - Jason Kidd is a 10-time NBA All-Star, a five-time All-NBA First Team selection, a four-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection and an NBA Champion.
But he won't be starting for the Knicks next season.
The 39-year-old point guard will start behind 23-year-old Jeremy Lin, Knicks coach Mike Woodson told the New York Daily News.
Lin signed a four-year, $28 million offer sheet with the Rockets, but Woodson told numerous sources that the Knicks will match it and bring the Harvard alum back to Manhattan.
Kidd, who won a title with Dallas in 2011, signed a three-year, $9 million deal with New York on July 5.
Though Kidd is a future Hall of Famer and Lin has just 25 career starts under his belt, the commitment to Lin is far from surprising.
Lin captured the hearts of New Yorkers last season, coming out of virtually nowhere to average 14.6 points and 6.2 assists for the Knicks, all the while bringing electricity and excitement back to Madison Square Garden.
However, Woodson reiterated the fact that Kidd will unquestionably help Lin develop as both a point guard and a leader.
"Jason's a veteran guy that brings leadership, and I thought it would be a perfect fit for Jeremy Lin in terms of being able to tutor him as he grows as a point guard for our franchise," Woodson told the Daily News. "Jason can still play and run a ballclub."
Kidd, who will play his 19th NBA season in 2012-13, averaged just 6.2 points and 5.5 assists in 28.7 minutes over 48 games played for Dallas last season.
Is there anybody out there who doesn't think that this is the right move? If you're one of them, let us know in the comments section below...
