Jason Kidd is one of the greatest point guards to ever play the game. Kidd is a few weeks into the next phase of his career, becoming an elite head coach.
Kidd is already doing things the right way, by ingratiating himself to his players. During an interview with ESPN New York, Kidd went out on a limb and stated that “Deron Williams is a much better player than he was.”
“He’s better than me. I mean, he can shoot,” the new Nets coach replied when asked if he saw himself in Williams. “He’s a guy who can set the table, get to the basket. He can score. I don’t look at him as me. Again, he’s a little bit better than I am.”
This compliment of Williams is coming from a guy who in 19 NBA seasons, made 10 All-Star teams, five All-NBA first teams and four All-Defensive first teams.
Williams in 8 seasons, has made three All-Star teams and two All-NBA second teams.
Kidd of course thinks he can help Williams get even better.
“Just recognizing situations,” Kidd said. “Deron is a very gifted point guard, so for me it’s just about talking to him about different situations and getting what he’s thinking so we can get on the same page.”
“I want him to be the basketball player that we all know he can be,” Kidd said. “We’re gonna set lofty goals, and as a coaching staff and as a team, we want to try to put him in a position to reach them.”