Mark the Los Angeles Times as the latest newspaper to praise Jason for bringing veteran leadership to Team USA.
In an article today by NBA columnist Mark Heisler, J-Kidd and Kobe Bryant were noted for the bringing some guidance to an Olympic team that looked misguided four years ago.
Krzyzewski doesn’t plan to name captains this time but he doesn’t have to. With or without titles, the leaders are 35-year-old Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant, who’ll turn 30 Aug. 23, the day before the Olympic basketball final.
"Here you’re talking about Kobe and Jason, two elderly statesmen, if you will, leaders, competitors. They truly are the leaders of this team. The younger players — I’m talking about Carmelo, LeBron, Wade, all of them — they defer to Kobe and to Jason as leaders."
 |
| Jason and Kobe during the 2007-08 NBA season (Getty Images). |
Carmelo Anthony took the time to compare Jason and Kobe:
"They’re two totally different personalities. Kobe’s more laid back. He’s starting to open up a little bit more with the guys around him, which is a good thing, which we’re all looking for.
"Jason’s just more like a leader all the time, a point guard on the floor and off."
RESPECT FOR LEBRON
In an interview with the International Herald Tribune, Jason praised the development of his Olympic teammate, LeBron James:
"You don’t always have to speak as a leader," Kidd said. "You can show by example and I think he’s doing both by putting the work, extra shooting, and then also, when it’s needed, he speaks up."
THREE-POINT CONTEST
According to NBA.com’s official Beijing Games blog, USA’s No. 5 took on a couple high-powered teammates in a post-practice contest from beyond the arc:
Carmelo, J-Kidd and D-Wade had a three-point shooting contest after practice, shooting from seven spots around the arc, with the first to 10 makes at each spot declared the winner. ‘Melo was definitely the overall winner, but I think Kidd actually won a spot from the right wing. Really.
RELATED STORIES
Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd are ‘elderly statesmen’ of American youth brigade (Los Angeles Times, July 30, 2008)
http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedition/la-sp-olyheisler30-2008jul30,0,745250.story
Already a great player, James emerges as US leader (IHT, July 30, 2008)
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/30/sports/OLY-BKO-LeBron-the-Leader.php
Wednesday Potpourri (NBA.com, July 30, 2008)
http://my.nba.com/thread.jspa?threadID=5800009777