Jason’s 2008 Olympics have always been about winning his second gold medal, but he’s also taken time out to support friends with the same dream.
On Thursday morning, J-Kidd was at Chaoyang Park in Beijing, watching the women’s beach volleyball finals as friend Misty May-Treanor and her teammate Kerri Walsh won their second straight Olympic gold medal.
NBC’s Heather Cox spoke about Jason and Misty’s friendship:
“It’s no coincidence that USA Basketball’s Jason Kidd is here in the stands today. May spent her childhood idolizing Kidd… May met her idol during the Sidney Olympics then reconnected with him during the opening ceremonies. Kidd told Misty he would do everything he could to come watch her play in the gold medal match. Impressive, considering the United States beat Australia late last night and are preparing for Argentina in the semifinal tomorrow night.”
Jason has been in attendance for a few of May-Treanor and Walsh’s matches when time permits.
He spoke to a reporter from the San Jose Mercury News after the first match he took in:
“It was quick,” Kidd said of the match that ended in less than an hour. “They’re the best in the world.”
“We want to hang out with some other athletes,” Kidd said, adding that at the Sydney Games eight years ago he focused solely on basketball. “The second time around I wanted to get out.”
NO. 5 IS NO. 1
May wore the number five throughout her playing career; it is retired in her honor at Long Beach State. Cox went on to explain its significance:
“How important is the number to her? It’s actually tattooed as a roman numeral on her back.”
So it’s no surprise that May was as excited to reunite with Team USA’s No. 5:
“Teammate Misty was even more enthusiastic, as she signed autographs for fans, but it was only one of the guys that got most of her attention.
“(Jason Kidd) knows he’s my favorite player…And I went in there with all the guys and I said, ‘I’m sorry guys. Jason Kidd’s my favorite player.’ And I think Kobe just had like this on his face
[making a face] like, ‘Say what?’”RELATED STORIES
When not busy hoops stars flock to beach volleyball (Access Hollywood.com, August 19, 2008)
http://www.accesshollywood.com/article/10917/when-not-busy-hoops-stars-flock-to-beach-volleyball/
NBA star Jason Kidd takes spotlight at women’s beach volleyball (San Jose Mercury News, August 9, 2008)
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/olympics/2008/08/09/nba-star-jason-kidd-takes-spotlight-at-womens-beach-volleyball/
Phelps, NBA stars form a mutual admiration society (San Jose Mercury News, August 19, 2008)
http://www.kansascity.com/495/story/754551.html