Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says he "was more than upset," about Jason Kidd's flip-flop decision to spurn Dallas and join the New York Knicks.
"I thought he was coming. I was pissed," the owner said.
"I totally understand his side," said Kidd when asked if he understood the owner's position. "Does Mark understand my side?"
Cuban's position (as stated in an ESPN Radio interview) is that Kidd betrayed him and the Mavs organization, presumably headquartering in The Hamptons to recruit Deron Williams to the Mavs ... joining the Mavs in failing to do that ... and then, after the club all but announced the 39-year-old veteran's return to Dallas under the terms of a three-year contract, Kidd decided to instead join the Knicks.
"J-Kidd's a big boy, he can do whatever he wants," Cuban says. "But you don't change your mind like that. I'm sure I'll get over it at some point, but as of right now, I wouldn't put J-Kidd's number in the rafters. ... No chance. ... I like J-Kidd. He's a good guy. But I just thought that was wrong. You can't put a guy's number in the rafters when he decides he doesn't want to be there."
Despite Cuban's view, Kidd wants very much to be recognized as a Mavs all-timer.
"I would be honored if I made the rafters there," Kidd told FOXSportsSouthwest.com.
Up until Kidd's "betrayal," everything pointed to that likelihood. Kidd's ranks in Mavs franchise history are as follows: Ninth in games played, eighth in minutes, fourth in 3's made, third in assists, second in steals, first in all-time BBIQ, tied for first in all-time leadership and tied for first in titles.
Kidd was drafted by the Mavericks in 1994 and won co-Rookie of the Year before being sent to Phoenix when his agent got crossways with then-Mavs management. He was brought back to Dallas to help Cuban chase the dream of a title ... and the dream came true.
But the 2011 NBA title doesn't seem to be enough to help Cuban forget what happened this offseason.
Cuban explains further in the interview: "It hurt my feelings, period, because I thought that we had developed a relationship and I thought (Kidd) was committed to the organization. It sure seemed like he was. I mean, J-Kidd was active in going out there and talking to Deron Williams the whole time. I guess it was more shocking and surprising than anything else.
"I'm sure I'll get over it at some point."
