Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson and Kenyon Martin were major parts of the Nets ? most successful NBA run. They?re in different places now, and a few of them have better chances to win a title than they ever did with the Nets .
Ironically, Kidd, the reason the Nets reached two NBA Finals and stayed respectable and competitive through many changes, has the least chance of the four. Kidd?s time with the Nets ended badly and his career could end without a ring. His best shot would have been by signing with the Cavaliers or Lakers ? if they would have had him. But Kidd took the money and re-signed with Dallas. Maybe when this deal is up in three years, he?ll follow Gary Payton and sign with a team just for a ring.
Martin?s Nuggets reached the Western Conference finals this past season and may be knocking on the door. But they still have to go through the NBA champion Lakers and re-tooled Spurs, who added Jefferson and Antonio McDyess this summer, and kept the big three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili intact.
Going from Milwaukee to the Spurs was an early wedding gift for Jefferson. Well, it was a gift. He e-mailed his fianc?e that the wedding was off shortly before the big day.
Carter went home to Orlando to play for a finalist with a franchise center. Dwight Howard will make the game easier for Carter, but he also will improve because of Vin-sanity.
Carter should have the most impact on his team and the most pressure. But the latter won?t faze him. Everything rolls off his back. That?s the good and bad of Vince.
Based on bodies of work, Kidd may deserve a title the most, but he?s probably not winning in Dallas. The classy Carter is deserving, and after the hits he?s taken over the years, some by ex-teammates in this article, winning it would be fitting.
