Jason Kidd: Will the Struggles End?

This New York Knicks team is filled with veterans and players who have been around the block. No Knicks player has been in the league more than Jason Kidd who is now in his 19th NBA season.

The Knicks brought him in for his leadership, championship pedigree, and consistent productivity. You can’t measure a player like Kidd’s value with numbers and stats, but it’s clear that he hasn’t been as productive on the court recently as the Knicks need him to be.

Feb 22, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; New York Knicks point guard Jason Kidd (5) during their game against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Knicks 100-98. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Kidd has been a model point guard for over a decade now. His career accolades speak for themselves: 10-time All-Star, five-time NBA First Team, four-time NBA All-Defensive First Team, second all-time in assists, second all-time in steals, and third all-time in triple-doubles. Kidd also has two Olympic gold medals and made three NBA Finals appearances with one championship ring.

He is a first ballot Hall of Famer, but the Knicks care about is this season. They didn’t bring him in here his past success; they brought him in here to raise a banner in Madison Square Garden.

Kidd isn’t going to slow down LeBron James or average 20 and 10 this season. The Kidd the Knicks loved was in the first month of the season. In November Kidd averaged eight points, three assists, three rebounds, .7 turnovers, two steals, shot 50 percent from the field and 48 percent from three. Kidd was very efficient and was doing exactly what he was brought in to do.

No shot was bigger than when he hit a three while getting fouled to put a dagger into the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclay’s Center. This was the highlight of Kidd’s December, who averaged 9.9 points, 4.8 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game.

It’s been all downhill in 2013.

Kidd’s numbers have decreased significantly in the new year, especially in February. The Knicks are 5-5 this month and aren’t the talk of the town anymore. Kidd’s numbers have plummeted compared to his early season numbers: averaging three points, two assists, and shooting an alarming 21 percent from the field and 17 percent from three. Those percentages are straight out terrible and aren’t going to give the Knicks any sort of advantage when he is on the court.

Mike Woodson has said numerous times that he believes strongly in his starting lineup. A head coach is going to support his guys when they struggle and you don’t want a player like Kidd, who is so well respected throughout the locker room, feeling pressure for his job.

But I think Woodson has to sit down Kidd and create a plan how to rest him up for the playoffs and make sure he will be playing his best ball then. Kidd’s play was key in the beginning of the season. This is when he was when his legs were fresh.

I don’t think Kidd has lost his touch but that he is just tired. He is a 39 year old playing more minutes than the 22-year-old Iman Shumpert. Once Kidd gets his legs back, he will be efficient and there when the Knicks need him.

If the Knicks can get the Kidd from the 2011 Mavericks championship run, it will be exactly what they signed up for.