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Jason Kidd has moved from the sideline to the studio, and he is not shy about how he thinks he would fare in today’s NBA.
Appearing on ESPN’s “Tip-Off” show, the Hall of Fame point guard was asked by Kenny Smith how a 22-year-old version of himself would handle the modern league, given how differently the game is played now. Kidd did not hesitate.
“Well, if you’re asking me, if I were coming in today, yes, just the speed of the game,” Kidd said.
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Jason Kidd believes a 22-year-old version of himself would dominate today’s NBA:
“The speed of the game… I would love to be playing this time of the year, in this generation… If I was playing now, I think I could dominate.” pic.twitter.com/7XY01otXB9
— NBABase (@TheNBABase) October 22, 2026
The 53-year-old explained that the style of play he grew up in looked very different. Back then, offenses often revolved around getting the ball to a dominant big man.
“In the ’80s and ’90s, if I was playing with Shaq, you know, our job, you play with the incredible center on a team. We got to wait for him,” Kidd said. “We got to let him get the ball. We got to get him touches. And then we’ll play off of the big.”
Now, the game is built around pace and spacing, with teams launching threes at a historic rate. Kidd believes that would have suited him perfectly.
“The game has changed. A lot more threes,” Kidd said. “Everyone’s shooting the three. I would love to be playing this time of the year, in this generation.”
He also pointed to the return of physical defense as something he would welcome.
“Hopefully, as you can see, we’re starting to maybe get back to that without hurting someone. But it’s all right to be physical, to guard defensively,” Kidd said. “And so hopefully, if I was playing now, I think I could dominate.”
Kidd certainly has the resume to back up the confidence. He was one of the best playmakers of his generation, earning 10 All-Star selections and winning a championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 before being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
His comments come as he settles into a new role. Kidd joined ESPN as a studio analyst for the 2026-27 season after parting ways with the Mavericks, whom he coached for five seasons and led to the 2024 NBA Finals.
Now, instead of drawing up plays, Kidd will be breaking them down on television.
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