Ever since the 1994 draft, and the rookie season that followed for Grant Hill and Jason Kidd, the two NBA Stars have been joined together, compared, contrasted, and competed. The journey for Grant Hill and Jason Kidd has run parallel throughout their careers, but now that journey has come to an end.
Jason Kidd and Grant Hill have both elected to retire after 19 Seasons Each in the NBA.
Kidd was originally choosen 2nd overall, and Hill third overall in the 1994 NBA Draft. Kidd burst onto the scene with the Dallas Mavericks, while Grant Hill made his mark with the Detroit Pistons. At the end of their first year, the two had already left 1st overall pick, Glenn Robinson, in the dust and were named co-Rookies of the Year for the 1994-95 season.
While their career paths would diverge somewhat after that, the two men would be great NBA players, and the path comes full circle today as they retire within hours of each other.
Hill was a winner outside the NBA, winning back to back NCAA Championships at Duke and a 1996 Olympic Gold Medal with Team USA, but he could never capture that elusive NBA title. He entered the league as an explosive scorer from the small forward position, and quickly became a fan favorite. However for Hill, the career ultimately becomes a question of ‘what could have been’. Plagued by Injuries, especially his left ankle, many will question how good Grant Hill could have been had he stayed healthy.
As it is, the 40-year old Hill finishes his career a seven time NBA All-Star, former All-NBA first team member, four time All-NBA Second team member, three time Sportsmanship Award Winner, and with career marks including averages of 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game during a career that included stints with the Clippers, Detroit, Orlando and Phoenix.
Hill made the announcement during the pregame show before game 6 of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals on TNT.
Jason Kidd, meanwhile, was able to chase down that elusive NBA Title, winning the ring as a member of the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. He also won Olympic Gold Medals at the 2000 and 2008 Olympic Games with Team USA.
”My time in professional basketball has been an incredible journey, but one that must come to an end after 19 years,” Kidd said in a statement released by the New York Knicks. ”As I reflect on my time with the four teams I represented in the NBA, I look back fondly at every season and thank each and every one of my teammates and coaches that joined me on the court.”
Kidd who played for the Mavericks, Knicks, Suns and Nets in his NBA Career will go down as one of the best point guards ever. He is second in the NBA all-time for both steals and assists, third all-time in career three-pointers and triple-doubles, and is a 10-time NBA All-Star. Kidd is also a five-time member of the All-NBA first team, one time All-NBA second teamer, four time all NBA Defensive first teamer, five time second team defensive leader, and five time assists leader.
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