Here is some reaction from various players involved in Thursday night’s Nets-Heat preseason game about Jason Kidd’s No. 5 jersey being retired by the Nets:
Kevin Garnett:
“I thought it was great. I’m glad I was in the building and able to be part of something that was special for everybody who was in the league. He had an unbelievable run when he was here, and I just felt like it was only right.
“It shows a lot of class in the Nets’ organization of hoisting his number up and showing their appreciation for Jason. I’m glad to not only be a part of this ride, but to say that I was here for that.”
Paul Pierce:
“I’m just glad that I was present, and able to be a part of this. I saw a lot of Jason’s prime years here when I played him in Jersey. I was the victim of a lot of playoff losses. So to me, I saw Jason as one of the greatest players.
“He’s broken my heart a couple years in a row when I was in Boston in the playoffs when he was just unbelievable, averaging a triple-double, and at that time I’ve just never seen or been on the court or played against a player like that. You just felt like there was nothing you can do, and that’s the feeling he gave me when I was out on the court, and it’s just a pleasure.
“I knew his number was definitely going to go up somewhere, and it’s here. He’s not only one of the greatest Nets to play, he’s one of the greatest in NBA history to play.”
LeBron James:
“I thought it was amazing. It is well needed and well appreciated. I know he is appreciative of it and it couldn’t happen to a better person. I think J-Kidd is great and I’m happy for him. He will be able to look up there long after he is done coaching and see his name in the rafters forever.”
Dwyane Wade
“Getting your jersey retired is one of the biggest honors in sports, no matter what level it’s on. It’s a big honor, so obviously playing with Jason in the Olympics, that’s probably my fondest memories of him, just being a guy who loved to play the game, being a guy who had so much knowledge of the game, and who is so unselfish with himself and his abilities.
“I’m sure he was an honor to play with for most of the guys he was playing with, and I’m glad he’s getting honored here for what he did, where he did the majority of his damage in his career, taking them to the Finals … great career. Great career.”