Future in doubt

Nets' star Kidd won't say whether he's coming back

Kidd scored a team-high 21 points and had no turnovers and seven assists in a solid Game 6 effort. AP

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- With less than a minute to play in the deciding game of the NBA Finals, Jason Kidd walked off the court with the crowd roaring.

It had all the makings of a basketball player's dream come true, but there was something wrong with this scene. Kidd didn't have his hands thrust high in the air in triumph, and the walk to the bench looked painful.

The reality was the crowd at the SBC Center wasn't even noticing Kidd.

The wild ovations were for Tim Duncan as he left the court after leading the San Antonio Spurs to an 88-77 win over the Nets.

For Kidd and the Nets, they were experiencing the pain of a second straight loss in the NBA Finals.

"Losing is not something that you, as an athlete, like to be on that side of the coin," Kidd said. "You hate losing. It hurts just like last year."

There's a difference.

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The Nets were embarrassed last year in being swept by Shaquille O'Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers.

This year the title was there for the taking, and the Nets didn't shoot well enough or make enough big plays to snatch it.

They were right there in the crucial Game 5 in New Jersey despite having an ill Kenyon Martin in the lineup, and they blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead Sunday, buried under a 19-0 run led by former teammate Stephen Jackson and a dismal 6-for-25 shooting performance in the final 12 minutes.

"It's always tough when you lose, especially at this stage in the season, because this is the one thing and one thing only -- that's the championship trophy," said Kidd, who sat alone at the podium after the game, his son, T.J. not next to him on this disappointing Father's Day.

Whether the Nets get another shot at the title may be decided in the next few weeks.

Kidd, who transformed the Nets from an also-ran into two-time stern Conference champions after coming in a trade with Phoenix, will become a free agent on July 1.

If Kidd leaves, possibly for the Spurs, the Nets will have a major hole at point guard, where they had the best player in the league the last two years.

"Whether he stays or goes, I wish him the best," said Nets second-year forward Richard Jefferson, who had 13 points. "I want what is best for him and his family. If he choses to stay in New Jersey, he stays in New Jersey. If he goes someplace else, how can you fault the man?"

The Nets were 26-56 the season before Kidd arrived in a trade for Stephon Marbury. They were 101-63 in the two regular seasons that led to conference championships.

"I think everybody knows how important he is," Nets coach Byron Scott said. "You know, he's the engine to this team. He makes us go."

Kidd said it will take some time before he decides his future. The crucial factor may very well be winning a title, something that has eluded him for nine NBA seasons.

"That's what I play this game for," said Kidd, who had 21 points, seven assists and four rebounds in 42 minutes in what might have been his final game for the Nets.

About a minute after the final buzzer, and with confetti falling, Kidd and Duncan embraced on the court and seemed to whisper to each other. It would have been interesting to hear the brief conversation.

The Spurs seemingly could use Kidd. While Tony Parker played well in the opening games of the series, he only had 21 points in the last three games.

"I've got to play free agency out and I've got to look at all of my options," Kidd said.

If Kidd stays in New Jersey, there are other areas to be addressed. The Nets need another shooter.

Lucious Harris, who will be a free agent, Kerry Kittles and Rodney Rogers were not consistent enough to take San Antonio out of its zone.

The positive of staying would be playing another year with Kenyon Martin and Jefferson.

Martin is emerging as one of the top young players in the league, although the power forward finished this series with two horrible games. He had six points on 3-for-23 shooting Sunday, and 10 points in the last two games after averaging nearly 20 for the playoffs.

"I just played horrible, man, and I'll have all summer to think about it," Martin said. "I didn't show up when it counted."

Martin will get a chance to make amends next season. The only question is will Kidd be there to help him.