Jason Kidd recognized LeBron James and Nikola Jokic as the 2 present NBA gamers whose passing means and basketball intelligence most intently resemble his personal recreation throughout his taking part in profession.
Requested by All-Star Journal which NBA participant sees the ground in addition to he did throughout his Corridor of Fame profession, Kidd initially referenced Jokic earlier than choosing James because the closest stylistic comparability.
“I’ve talked concerning the Joker, however because you introduced LeBron up, I’d say LeBron’s recreation might be my recreation is the closest to LeBron, although his recreation is at a unique altitude,” Kidd stated.
Kidd pointed particularly to James’ means to create alternatives for teammates and anticipate performs earlier than they develop. “He has the flexibility to make performs for his teammates, his IQ, understanding what’s going to occur earlier than it occurs, is extraordinarily excessive,” Kidd stated.
Kidd in the end grouped James and Jokic collectively when discussing the traits that outlined his personal method as a participant. “I’d say these are the 2 gamers, once you speak about passing and simply their basketball IQ,” he stated.
The comparability carries specific weight as a result of Kidd completed his taking part in profession with 12,091 assists, rating second in NBA historical past on the time of his retirement and remaining among the many league’s all-time leaders. He additionally averaged 8.7 assists per recreation over 19 NBA seasons and led the league in assists 5 instances.
Kidd additionally mentioned James’ transfer to the Philadelphia 76ers, calling it the offseason transaction probably to have the most important influence on the 2026-27 NBA season. James signed with Philadelphia on a two-year minimum-salary contract, with a participant possibility for the second season.
“It routinely places Philly within the talks of profitable a championship,” Kidd stated. “They might be the perfect workforce within the East.”
Philadelphia completed 45-37 and seventh within the Jap Convention through the 2025-26 common season earlier than defeating Boston 4-3 in the first round of the playoffs. The 76ers were then swept by the New York Knicks in the conference semifinals.
Kidd additionally cited Philadelphia’s younger backcourt, particularly Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, as a part of the rationale he believes the James addition might have such a major influence. Maxey averaged 28.3 factors and 6.6 assists in 70 video games final season, whereas Edgecombe averaged 16.0 factors, 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 75 video games.
Kidd additionally named Giannis Antetokounmpo’s move to the Miami Heat as his “1B” offseason transfer, placing Miami among the many groups he considers championship contenders.
The Dallas Mavericks coach moreover mentioned Cooper Flagg, whom he coached after the Mavericks selected the Duke forward No. 1 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. Kidd stated Flagg is “on tempo” to achieve the extent of gamers reminiscent of James due to his competitiveness, work ethic and willingness to embrace strain.
