NEW YORK -- Jason Kidd became one of the best by making others better. He turned around a longtime-losing franchise, guided another to a championship, and helped his last one to its first division title since the year he came into the NBA 19 years ago. Teammates loved him. The U.S. national team needed him. But he looked more burned out than brilliant in the final weeks of the season, and on Monday he decided to end one of the greatest careers for a point guard in league history. "My time in professional basketball has been an incredible journey, but one that must come to an end after 19 years," Kidd said in a statement released by the New York Knicks. "As I reflect on my time with the four teams I represented in the NBA, I look back fondly at every season and thank each and every one of my teammates and coaches that joined me on the court." Kidd won an NBA title and two Olympic gold medals, is second on the career list in assists and steals, and was a 10-time All-Star. But he missed 22 of his 25 shots in the post-season and was scoreless in his final 10 playoff games shortly after turning 40, and decided to walk away with two years and more than $6 million left on the deal he signed last summer. His retirement comes two days after fellow 40-year-old Grant Hill, with whom Kidd shared Rookie of the Year honours in 1995, announced his retirement. Kidd went on from there to have big impacts on every team he joined. He led the Nets to two NBA Finals in 2002-03, helped the Dallas Mavericks win the 2011 title, and was on the first Knicks team to reach the second round of the playoffs since 2000. He averaged 12.6 points, 8.7 assists, 6.3 rebounds and 1.93 steals in a career that also included a stop in Phoenix. Kidd had numerous ways to make his mark on games, ranking third on the career list with 107 triple-doubles while finishing third all-time in 3-pointers made, despite being considered a poor outside shooter when he came into the league. Dirk Nowitzki, who played with Kidd on the Mavs title team, wrote on Twitter that Kidd was "one of the best point guards ever and one of the fiercest competitors I have ever played with." "Amazing career," Nowitzki wrote. "He always put the team and winning first. All the best to him in retirement." The Knicks signed Kidd away from Dallas last summer with a three-year deal, and he helped them flourish with a lineup that often featured two point guards. They won 54 games and their first Atlantic Division title since 1994, which was just before Kidd was drafted by Dallas with the No. 2 overall pick. "Jasons value to the Knicks and the National Basketball Association cannot be quantified by statistics alone," Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald said. "Everyone here in New York saw firsthand what a tremendous competitor he is and why Jason is considered to be one of the best point guards, and leaders, the game has ever seen." He got off to a rocky start with the Knicks, arrested on a drunken-driving charge shortly after signing last July -- Kidd was also arrested on a domestic violence charge while playing with Phoenix in 2001 , acknowledging he struck his former wife -- but he turned out to be the leader the team sought. He averaged 6.0 points, 3.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 76 games for the Knicks but lost his likely Hall of Fame-bound game in the post-season. He missed all 17 shots across the final 10 games, seeing limited minutes in the last two games of the Knicks loss to Indiana in the Eastern Conference semifinals. "Veteran leadership on and off the court was a huge factor for our team that recorded 54 victories and an Atlantic Division crown," coach Mike Woodson said. "Jason provided an incredible voice inside our locker room and I considered it an honour to say I coached him." Grunwald had said he expected Kidd to return, though Woodson said things could always change. Kidd becomes the second player on an aged Knicks roster to retire, following Rasheed Wallaces decision in April. Kurt Thomas, nearly six months older than Kidd, broke his foot late in the season, and his status is unclear. Kidd was a five-time selection to the All-NBA first team and was voted to the All-Defensive first or second team nine times. Phoenix traded him to New Jersey after his legal troubles, and he would go on to lead the Nets to their greatest NBA success. The 6-foot-4 guard is the teams career leader in most playoff categories. "Jason Kidd was the captain of the Nets during their most successful period in the NBA, and is considered the greatest player in the Nets NBA history. On behalf of the entire Brooklyn Nets organization, we congratulate him on his Hall of Fame career," general manager Billy King said. Along with his NBA greatness, Kidd had an undefeated career at the senior international level during an era when simply wearing a USA jersey no longer guaranteed victory. He helped the U.S. win gold in the 2000 and 08 Olympics, along with FIBA Americas titles in 1999, 2003 and 07. The Americans didnt win any of the three major international events without him during that time. Respected around the league, Kidd won the NBAs sportsmanship award this season, becoming the first player to win it in consecutive seasons. Commissioner David Stern said that was equally important as the way Kidd played, saying Kidd "embodied the ideals of team sports." "On behalf of the NBA family and basketball fans worldwide, I want to thank Jason for all he has done for the NBA and the sport of basketball, and hope he will continue to help us grow the game," Stern said. "We wish him and his family all the best." Saints Jerseys Store .Y. -- Sabres forward Drew Stafford has witnessed plenty of turmoil during his eight seasons in Buffalo. Will Clapp Jersey . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. http://www.cheapneworleanssaintsjerseys.com/kamrin-moore-jersey/ . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). Saints Jerseys Online . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Saints T-shirts . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year. TAMPA, Fla. -- One day after losing pass rusher Jacquies Smith for the season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?signed running back Jacquizz Rodgers to a one-year deal.The move reunites him with Dirk Koetter and Mike Smith, his former offensive coordinator and head coach, respectively, with the Atlanta Falcons.The Bucs were down to two running backs last week after Mike James was placed on injured reserve. Rodgers, 26, who was among the Bears final roster cuts, worked out for the team last Tuesday. Rather than sign him and be on the hook for possible veteran termination pay, the team opted to promote Peyton Barber from the practice squad.Per the NFLs Collective Bargaining Agreement, players with four or more credited seasons who are on NFL rosters in Week 1 of the regular season and subsequently released, are allowed to collect one-time termination pay. If a veteran player is on an NFL roster after the season opener, he is still entitled to those payments but at a reducced rate.ddddddddddddodgers played in Koetters offense from 2012-14, and provides the Bucs a change-of-pace option for the teams primary running back, Doug Martin, and the sure-handed, pass-catching back, Charles Sims.Last season with the Bears, he saw action in just five games, suffering a broken arm in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs. His best seasons came in 2012-13 with Atlanta, where he recorded 764 and 673 yards from scrimmage, respectively, and six touchdowns altogether.In addition to being a change-of-pace back for the Bucs, he can return kicks. From 2012-13, he had 48 kickoff returns for 1,167 yards, averaging 24.3 yards per return. Against the Falcons in Week 1, the Bucs had Adam Humphries lining up for both punt and kickoff returns, and newly-signed wide receiver Cecil Shorts III is expected to work in there as well. Cheap NFL Womens Jerseys China Jerseys Wholesale NFL T-shirts China NFL Jerseys NFL T-shirts From China Wholesale NFL Hoodies Wholesale Jerseys ' ' '