As of 2:00 PM on Monday morning, we are two games into the NBA finals and have seen two drastically different games resulting in one loss for each team. However this past week we may have experienced two greater losses in the NBA with the retirements of Grant Hill and Jason Kidd respectively. The two each hold a special place among my favorite players ever for varying reasons and have changed the game since coming into the league in 1994.
As a child, I vividly remember cheering on teams for no other reason than the fact that they were on television. Our childhood fandom is often determined by our parents allegiances, and that was no different in the case of the Detroit Pistons, and the marquee player that was Grant Hill. My father would watch his hometown team whenever possible, introducing me to a player with an all-around game so advanced that he will forever be attached to the oh so popular “What-If injury related” questions that tag along with each decades collection of superstars. Grant Hill revolutionized the game with his balanced style of play to the tune of 1 Co-Rookie of the year award, 7 All-Star game appearances and 6 All-NBA nods (Note: The Duke fan in me will not let me proceed without also acknowledging the 2 NCAA championships won with the Evil Empire). But I will also remember Grant Hill for his off the court demeanor and accomplishments. No one will ever forget the undiscovered levels he took Fila to with this shoe deal which was the largest of its kind until a fellow from Akron,Ohio came along. For this and many other reasons, Grant Henry Hill will always be a legend in my book.
Given the accomplishments of the forward from Durham, we must also mention the reason that he was only Co-Rookie of the Year. The easiest answer to this question can be summed up in a hyphenated nickname consisting of a first initial and a 4 letter word. J-Kidd. Jason Kidd was brought up in Oakland where he refined his game on the streets playgrounds playing against the likes of Gary Payton, Brian Shaw, Hook Mitchell, and a handful of other great players. His dazzling passing ability (In my opinion Kidd may have had the best assist ever if that same forward from Akron, Ohio could’ve dunked a ball. See below) would attract attention from all over the nation, and eventually draw the praise of voters all over en route to 10 All-Star appearances, 6 All-NBA nods, 9 All-Defensive Team honors, and most importantly 1 championship. Kidd will certainly go down as the best point guard in our era of basketball and is a sure fire Hall of Famer. Like Hill, Kidd will also be known by me for the sneakers he would lace up over the course of his career. Some of them for the new technology (Zoom Flight 95), some for their flash (Flightposite), some for the sick PEs (Air Jordan 13s and 19s to be exact) and some just personal favorites (Zoom Flight 2k3 and Zoom BB). These are many of the reasons J-Kidd is likely my favorite point guard of al-time.
Alas: one of the most beautiful non-assists ever: