HoopsHype.com Rumors

Frank Isola: Jason Kidd, who did not play in the second half for the second straight game, did not speak with reporters. Twitter @FisolaNYDN

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd 

Kidd’s potential coaching career might be coming into sharper focus as he goes through a perplexing and historic nine-game scoreless streak. That day in Toronto, Kidd admitted he wasn’t sure he would finish his entire three-year contract. Most assumed, though, he would come back next season and the Knicks really hope so. But after this season, there’s no telling if Kidd wants to jump-start a coaching career and forgo the $6 million left on his deal. Kidd’s playoff struggles have been well documented, and coach Mike Woodson benched the veteran the entire second half of the Knicks’ 85-75 Game 5 win over the Pacers. “Jason’s going through a tough stretch,’’ Woodson said on Friday’s conference call. “But do I have confidence in putting Jason on the basketball floor? Absolutely. That will never go away.’’ New York Post

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd 

Mike Woodson gave strong indications he will stick with the same rotation for tomorrow's do-or-die Game 6 that didn’t include Jason Kidd in the second half but the Knicks coach still supported the future Hall of Famer who appears to be running on fumes. New York Post

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Jason Kidd, Hall of Fame 

Kidd is in the first season of a three-year deal — he has two years and more than $6 million remaining on it. But he has said there is no guarantee he will finish the contract. Now the question becomes whether his struggles could influence his decision on his future. Could Kidd’s postseason horror show be an indication to him it’s time to call it quits and retire early? Or could it make it tougher for him to go out on such a down note? New York Post

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd 

Al Iannazzone: Woodson when asked about Jason Kidd's struggles, said he would "never kick JKidd to the curb, man." Twitter @Al_Iannazzone

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Jason Kidd 

Kidd has not scored since Game 2 of the Boston series, on April 23, a remarkable drought that has spanned 161 minutes. He is 0 for 16 from the field. In eight playoff games since that Game 2, Kidd has attempted more than two field goals three times. “I’m not a guy who’s going to score,” Kidd said. “If the ball doesn’t go in, that doesn’t dictate my game. It’s always been trying to find the open guy and make a play for my teammates, and when there’s a shot presented, take it.” New York Times

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd 

Chris Herring: Woodson says there isn't a point where he'd sit Kidd. Says he only takes 1-2 shots a game. Touts his intangibles. Twitter @HerringWSJ

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Jason Kidd 

Ian Begley: Kidd: 'When we move the ball we’re pretty good. When the ball sticks, we try to go 1 on 1, we become one of the bottom teams in the league.' Twitter

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd 

Jonah Ballow: "It's like I'm listening to 2 other coaches talk" #Knicks asst. coach J. Todd on @Pablo Prigioni & @Jason Kidd Twitter @jonahballow

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd, Jim Todd, Pablo Prigioni 

But Mike Woodson isn't concerned about Kidd's offense. "Jason [Kidd] is going to be there when it counts," he said. "We haven't played him a lot of big minutes. ... We're trying to mix and match the best we can." Kidd said he's not going to change anything. "I'm going to play the game the right away," he said. "If a shot presents itself, I'll take it, and if it doesn't, I'm going to try to find one of my teammates a shot." ESPN.com

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Jason Kidd 

Jason Kidd was presented the NBA Sportsmanship Award last night before the game. It was his second straight year he had won the honor. He is the first NBA player to win the award, given to the player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court,” in consecutive seasons. It is voted on by the players. New York Post

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd 

Alan Hahn: Jason Kidd was named NBA Sportsmanship Award winner. The NBA will make a $10,000 donation on behalf of Kidd to The Jason Kidd Foundation. Twitter @alanhahn

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd 

Jason Kidd: Jason's sexuality doesn't change the fact that he is a great friend and was a great teammate. @Jason Collins Twitter @RealJasonKidd

New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, Jason Kidd, Jason Collins 

Al Iannazzone: JR Smith credits vets Kidd, Wallace, Kurt, Camby and Kenyon for keeping him in line this year. Twitter @Al_Iannazzone

New York Knicks, Rasheed Wallace, Kenyon Martin, Jason Kidd, Kurt Thomas, JR Smith, Marcus Camby 

Despite the never-ending list of gaudy statistics he's compiled during his surefire Hall of Fame career, Knicks guard Jason Kidd is routinely credited for his on-court smarts before his God-given talent. "His mind is brilliant," teammate Tyson Chandler said of Kidd recently. "Hopefully we can freeze it, or something like that. Leave it for the next generation." Wall Street Journal

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd, Hall of Fame 

Jared Zwerling: I asked Doc Rivers about Jason Kidd. Gave a great response. Part of it was, "He beats everybody with his brain." #Knicks Twitter @JaredZwerling

Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Doc Rivers, Jason Kidd 

Frank Isola: Woodson wants to keep Jason Kidd, J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin as back-ups. Chris Copeland could replace Pablo Prigioni as a starter. Twitter @FisolaNYDN

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Kenyon Martin, Jason Kidd, J.R. Smith, Pablo Prigioni, Chris Copeland 

Two league executives said they believe Kidd, a future Hall of Famer, will be pursued in some capacity once he retires as a player. One said Thomas—who has played for San Antonio's Gregg Popovich, Miami's Pat Riley, Chicago's Tom Thibodeau and former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy—would get looks, too, given his pedigree and reputation. Both Kidd and Thomas fit the typical profile of ex-players who get hired as coaches. The 91 former players who have gone on to serve as a head coach since 1976 stayed in the league an average of 10 seasons and played for about four teams, according to Stats LLC. Kidd has played for four teams in 19 years; Thomas has been on nine in 18. Wall Street Journal

New York Knicks, Coaching, Jason Kidd 

Jason Kidd celebrated his 40th birthday in a Knick uniform on Saturday night. The question now is: will he be celebrating his 41st in orange and blue? Kidd is under contract for another two years, and Mike Woodson believes the 19-year veteran can fulfill the full obligation of his deal. “Absolutely. I really do,” Woodson said. “And I say that because he’s figured out how to train. And I said this [Friday], there's certain athletes that come along in a lifetime and play various sports, I call them freaks man. They just seem to keep ticking, nothing seems to bother them or faze them from a physical standpoint or a mental standpoint. Yeah, I think he can play two more years. Absolutely.” ESPN.com

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Jason Kidd 

Kidd, who turned 40 yesterday, said Friday night he may not play out his entire three-year contract with the team. “We’re going to revisit [it],” he said. “We [would] love to make it to 42, but we have to be realistic. If the body and mind can’t compete at the same time, then I got to move to the side and watch these younger guys play. But I feel great.” New York Post

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd