It's still a day away, but the anticipation is growing. Jason Kidd says he wants his number retired without much fanfare Thursday and doesn't plan to say much at the conclusion of the pre-game ceremony. But he can't control what others, including his son, T.J., feel.
1 more day till the Brooklyn Nets retire my dad's number!!! As Thursday gets closer the more that the excitement builds! #Nets
— TJ Kidd (@TJKidd5) October 16, 2013
The ceremony begins at 8 p.m. Workers did some rehearsing on Tuesday prior to the Celtics game and one enterprising fan found a picture of what the jersey will look like as it's raised to the rafters.
Filip Bondy quotes Kidd this way: "We can do it right now," Kidd said before the Nets beat Boston, 82-80, in a preseason game. "Just want it quick. (Doing it before the regular season) was my choice. During training camp would be even better. It’s not about me. It’s about the players."
No, it's about you Jason, and what you did for this forlorn franchise from 2001 to 2007.
What we hear is there will be highlight package and players and coaches, past and present, will speak about what he meant to the team, to them as players and individuals. He made a lot of them very rich men. Then, after an ovation that is expected to last a lot longer and be a lot more emotional than Kidd wants, he will, as Bondy says, "reluctantly, softly, will utter a few words into a microphone."
Then, they will play the Heat.
- Brooklyn Nets coach Jason Kidd wants jersey retirement ceremony over as quickly as possible - Filip Bondy - New York Daily News
- Any Nets Salute to Kidd Deserves a Nod to Rod Thorn - Harvey Araton - New York Times
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Coach Jason Kidd Brooklyn Nets Profile - Paul Solataroff - Mens' Journal
- Starting five: Favorite J-Kidd moment? - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York