Perspectives

Carter’s View

Jason Kidd stays with New Jersey Nets despite divorce publicity

by Richard G. Carter
"Sex is the game. Marriage is the penalty"--Laurence Olivier, "Sleuth" (1972)

Someone once said anyone in the public eye better be as pure as Caesar’s wife.

Put another way, make damn sure not to be seen or heard doing something stupid--including cheating on your spouse. And never wash your dirty laundry in public.

The foregoing mirrors off-court woes of the great Jason Kidd, who, happily, was not traded by the New Jersey Nets last week despite his messy marriage being played out in public.

Had the Nets done the deal, it would have been even more stupid than when their brain-dead owner, Bruce Ratner, gave away Kenyon Martin three years ago.

Sadly, celebrity-obsessed America loves to see the private lives of the rich and famous splashed all over the front pages, as New York newspapers are doing with Kidd. Although I cherish freedom of the press, chronicling Kidd’s domestic difficulties--including embarrassing accusations by his glamorous wife, Joumana--is below the belt.

I’m not talking about the press trashing over-exposed, under-talented, skanky celebutards such as bald Britney Spears, pathetic Paris Hilton and loony Lindsay Lohan.

These bimbos are insignificant Neanderthals who go without underwear, do drugs, drink to excess, make sex videos and exchange boyfriends, ad infinitum.

Jason Kidd is different. Despite a resolved spousal abuse episode when with the Phoenix Suns in the 1990s, Kidd is a class act. He’s the best.

He’s a better point guard than the Suns’ Steve Nash--the National Basketball Association’s reigning Most Valuable Player.

I’ve seen them all in 60 years watching pro hoops and for my money Kidd is up there with Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson. He’s that special.

If you believe as I do, that the media crossed the line in so prominently skewering Kidd in print, here are two operative questions: Did the scurrilous newspaper publicity--in which Kidd’s personal life was ripped asunder on the front pages--factor in the Nets’ decision about whether or not to trade him? And if so, should it have?

My gut-level answers are: Yes and no. As long as a professional athlete does not break the law--and there are many who do--all that should matter is his or her ability to do their job.

The way they conduct their private lives, no matter how messy, ill-advised or unfortunate, should be no one’s business but their own.

Why? Because the people who run big-time pro sports franchises know full well that the big-time, big-city news media hungers for the opportunity to dish dirt on big-time celebrities.

And regardless how damaging bad publicity may be personally to a player, this should not be regarded as damaging to the franchise or reflect negatively on the team.

Yet, there’s no doubt whenever there’s a bad headline about Kidd--especially on page one--the NBA hierarchy gags, Nets‚ management winces and Nets‚ fans shake their heads in disbelief.

Beginning January 9, here are examples of "New York Post" and "Daily News" front pages, each with color photos of Jason and Joumana Kidd:

"Divorce Bombshell, Kidd Abuse, Wife beats me up: Superstar Jason;" "Lyin’ Cheatin’ Jason," "Abusive Nets star Kidd had a babe in every town;" "Cheating and beating--no Kidding!;" "Kidd rocked by wife’s fury;" "Kidd you Not!" and "Kidd pulls his Punches."

The headlines and stories on the inside pages were embarrassingly embellished.

As I noted here recently, the Nets’ organization has exuded class in the six years of the Jason Kidd era. They don’t make excuses for injuries or when they don’t play well, as in the first half of this season.

When something goes awry, no matter how distasteful, the team deals with it honestly. The media and the fans are provided the unvarnished facts.

But all bets seemed off when the New York media pounced as the 6-foot-4 Kidd, 33, said he’d file for divorce--claiming he was the victim of spousal abuse at the hands of the petite, 34-year-old Joumana, an ex-model. This was dynamite.

On advice of counsel, Kidd backed-off his initial allegation in favor of "extreme cruelty."

But the handwriting was on the wall. Prior to last week’s NBA trading deadline, the gloves came off when Joumana viciously counterattacked by claiming Kidd had coast-to-coast affairs with at least six different women and regularly beat and humiliated her. In the wake of this stuff, the likelihood of Kidd being a goner seemed greater than ever.

Yet, in the midst of the allegations--including the revelation that Kidd had a 13-year-old "love child" with a woman in Los Angeles--the Nets’ superstar calmly faced the news media and asked that he be permitted to keep his personal life personal.

On the court, he continued with what has become the best season of his incredible 14-year career.

Happily, the Nets once again behaved responsibly and their savvy president, Rod Thorn, didn’t cave-in to the pressure or bow to what has become a public relations fiasco.

The team is sticking with Kidd and Vince Carter, who also was rumored to be heading elsewhere via the trade route. Way to go, Mr. Thorn.

Meanwhile, the once highly regarded Nets have been a huge disappointment due to major, and season-ending injuries, to key players.

However, Richard Jefferson returns soon, so don’t be surprised if this immensely talented team--with Jason Kidd--makes a late run for the NBA’s promised land. Stranger things have happened.

Richard G. Carter, a freelance writer, is a former columnist with The Milwaukee Journal and the New York Daily News.