From leading Team USA to seeing Beijing to watching other members of the Olympic team at various events, Jason is having an experience to remember at the 2008 Games.

A NOTABLE DIFFERENCE
Last Friday, No. 5 compared the 2004 team to this year’s Olympic squad. 

“It was just not a team…We weren’t a team, not like this year. You can put the best players together, but we all understand we don’t need Kobe to score 30, we don’t need LeBron to score 30. We just need to be a team, make that extra pass.’‘

Making the extra pass has always been Kidd’s speciality, his mindset, and because of it, he was chosen as USA Basketball’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2007 — all while averaging just 1.8 points per game.

CREDIT FROM COACHES AND PEERS
Team USA assistant Mike D’Antoni told Jennifer Floyd Engel why Jason is a key part of the team:

“Get him in the open court, run, spread the floor, let him go. Let him create. Let him be Jason Kidd. He is one of the best at what he does.”

Jeff Faraudo of the Oakland Tribune spoke to both of Team USA’s other point guards, Deron Williams and Chris Paul about J-Kidd’s importance to the team:

"He has a certain swagger, a little bit of a confidence, something we need in order for this team to be successful,’’ Paul said. “He’s the only guy on this team who has won a gold medal, and we understand he knows what it takes.’‘

“He’s one of the best point guards to ever play the game,’’ said Williams, the Utah Jazz point guard. "He’s definitely a leader on this team. LeBron is more of a vocal leader, but Jason is one of those guys who leads by example, who goes out there and plays hard."

COMPELLED TO HELP
Prior to the formation of the current Olympic team, circumstances kept Jason from being able to commit to Team USA. But when his situation changed, No. 5 jumped at the chance:

"The big thing is I felt this team has a chance to win the gold medal. I asked Jerry and Coach K if there was room, could I help?’’ Kidd said. “They felt there was room, so I’m here to lead on and off the court. These guys have all bought into understanding we’re here not to party or just think we’re going to show up and win.’‘”

STILL UNDEFEATED
While Jason brings leadership and experience to the floor, he also brings a flawless resume, as noted by Faraudo:

“So far, defeat has not touched Kidd. His resume in international play is flawless: 48-0 with the senior national team entering the Olympics.

"The world has gotten better at the game of basketball, we all understand that,’’ Kidd said. “I think we’re ready for this challenge."

15 YEARS LATER…
Though Team USA Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski has never coached a game in the NBA, he’s not unfamiliar with Jason.

The last time the two were a involved in the same game, Jason was derailing Coach K’s shot at destiny. It was the 1993 NCAA Tournament and a freshman at Cal sent Coach K’s back-to-back national champion Duke team home packing.

"He dominated the game,” said Krzyzewski, You knew Jason was going to be special then. Jason was always a man among boys. And now he’s been a man among men."

Asked if that 1993 second-round NCAA tournament game seems a lifetime ago, Kidd said, "Two lifes . . . That was a huge game, my coming-out game, I guess."

SWING BATTER
According to a blog post by Kevin Sherrington of The Dallas Morning News, Jason and teammate LeBron James want to take a swing at two of USA Softball’s best pitchers.

“In what may be the worst challenge ever, LeBron James and Jason Kidd say they want to try to get a hit off U.S. softball pitchers Cat Osterman and Jennie Finch.”

Sherrington is led to believe if the challenge is accepted, it will be after both teams finish their quest for gold.

RELATED STORIES
Mavericks guard Jason Kidd is here to help (Kansas City Star-Telegram, August 11, 2008)
http://www.kansascity.com/490/story/739087.html
Olympic basketball is Kidd’s play (The Oakland Tribune, August 8, 2008)
http://www.insidebayarea.com/sports/ci_10140366
LeBron, Kidd vs. Cat, Finch (The Dallas Morning News Olympics Blog, August 10, 2008)
http://olympicsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/08/lebron-kidd-vs-cat-finch.html