The debate over the greatest basketball player of all time seems endless, typically revolving around Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Bill Russell, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. However, there are always unique viewpoints on the G.O.A.T. discussion.
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd recently weighed in with his own perspective. He reflected on how an earlier improvement in his shooting could have elevated him into G.O.A.T. conversations. Speaking at the Nike Academy, Kidd said, “My whole focus was on passing and defense to control the game. If I had found someone like Chris Matthews [Lethal Shooter] to teach me how to shoot when I was younger, I think I could have been in that G.O.A.T. debate.” Although he smiled while making the comment, suggesting a hint of jest, there’s some truth to it. Kidd ranks 92nd in career scoring with over 17,500 points and 17th in three-pointers made, despite never shooting above 35% from beyond the arc until his 11th NBA season.
Kidd is often mentioned among the top five point guards, alongside Magic Johnson and Stephen Curry. He ranks second in total steals and assists behind John Stockton and achieved an NBA championship with the Mavericks, a feat Stockton never managed.