Sweeps period

Sporting News, The, Jan 20, 1997 by Bill Minutaglio

His second year, Kidd starts the All-Star Game. He collects 700 assists, 500 rebounds. Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain and Magic Johnson are among the five others to do the same. Nike and Dallas carefully take turns hustling Kidd to the next generation. There are commercials, highlight films, cover stories, Web sites, not-so-anonymous charitable donations in his name.

But, by the summer of '96, there also was something else. Something disturbing Zaccanelli, Cleamons ... and Michael Jordan:

Rumors about Kidd and Jackson going to war over pop diva Toni Braxton. Kidd demanding he or Jackson be traded. Kidd threatening to sit out a year, knowing full well the team never would trade him.

In August, Jordan meets up with Kidd. Nike has dispatched them on a hype-the-product tour to Japan. In Yokohama, Kidd returns to his hotel one day and is handed a note from the concierge. The hand-written message is more like a subpoena. Mr. Jordan requests his presence immediately.

When Kidd knocks on the suite door, he is admitted by Jordan's entourage and told to wait. Jordan, who likes games of chance, is playing cards. Leisurely, finally, he winds his way to acknowledging the fact Jason Kidd is In The House. Jordan steers Kidd to a back room and starts off with that speech about Kidd being the future of the NBA.

"You have a responsibility," Jordan says. "You'll be here when I'm gone."

A week later, it is Charles Barkley's turn. He and Kidd are on a flight back to the U.S. from All-Star exhibitions in Australia. "Remember how Magic, Bird, did it," Barkley says to Kidd. "Know your NBA history."

Kidd says he understands how it all works.

But, four months later, Zaccanelli and Cleamons abruptly trade the 23-year-old after 25 games. Kidd's shooting and leadership never seemed to have improved. Jackson's name is mentioned in trade rumors. Mashburn's, too. There are rumors Cleamons and Zaccanelli are negotiating deals with the Clippers, the Pacers. "I never thought they would trade me," Kidd tells Gatling, weeks after the trade has gone down. "I still can't believe it."

Jackson can. "You have to look at the players who are left behind and say, `Hey, we've got to step up,' " says Jackson, averaging 16 points a game. "You have to think that way. You have to understand that things happen for a reason."

Cleamons understands. "There are several things you can do. One of them is to stand pat The other is to make changes," he says.

"You know, I learn that I have traded a potential Hall of Famer," adds Cleamons, a skeptical samba in his voice. "I don't know Jason Kidd. The only thing that I know is that under the microscope, the feeling (was) that we would be a better team."

For years, he had sat on the Bulls' bench and studied the way Jordan led the team. When asked who the Mavericks' leaders were, he rarely mentioned point guard Kidd, Mashburn or Jackson. "Oh there are a number of people on this team who are capable," Cleamons says. "But they only show me glimpses of who they are."

Sometimes, there is a clinging weariness in Cleamons' voice. His team is 10-20 in early January. He brightens when he hears what George McCloud, a 15-points-a-game-and-grateful forward resurrected from the CBA, thinks: "Sure there have been a lot of changes, but you have to play to that tune," McCloud says. "We got Sam (Cassell). He got championship rings with the Rockets."