#30 Kerry Kittles
Player File
Kerry Kittles is a 6' 5" guard from
Villanova ('96). This will be his 7th season in the NBA, all of them as
a Net (however, he did not play the entire '00-'01 season while he rehabbed
his right knee after surgery).
Birthday:
June 12, 1974
Birthplace:
Dayton, OH
High School:
St. Augustine, New Orleans, LA
Drafted:
8th overall in the 1996 Draft, by New Jersey.
Contract: Signed through the 2004 - 2005
season.
2001 - 2002 Regular Season Stats:
Games Played:
82 (the most in his career).
Minutes PG:
31.7
Points PG:
13.4
PCT: .466
(the best in his career).
Free Throw PCT:
.744
Rebounds PG:
3.4 (the least in his career).
Assists PG:
2.6
Blocks PG:
0.38
Steals PG:
1.59
Turnovers PG:
1.33
Nicknames:
"Skittles," "Kerry Brittles," "Kittles-N-Bits,"
"Special K," "Razorfish," "Jar-Jar Binks,"
and
more.
Known For: Deadly but streaky outside shooting, three point threat, athleticism, defensive presence, one of Jason Kidd's fast break partners, tendency to disappear for games at a time.
The Real Deal: Kittles can flat out shoot – but inconsistency keeps him from becoming one of the game's elite three point gunners. Made it all the way back from what was almost certain career-ending knee woes, and played every game last season, which was something close to a miracle. Loves to run and gun with Kidd, but can also spot up for the outside jumper. Always a threat to collect a steal on the defensive end, with fast hands and feet his trademark.
Joe's Take: Kittles was basically an unexpected bonus last season with his return from the injury. The question at the beginning was, "Could Kittles play 20 minutes a night?" The question was answered with a resounding yes. When he's firing away, and he's hitting, he's practically unstoppable. When he's cold, he's a liability, as he tends to let it affect him, and in turn starts to lose his aggressiveness. But he's one of those players you want taking that outside jumper early – if he hits it, opponents know they're in for a long evening. If he plays aggressively and follows Kidd's lead, and stays injury-free, look for a big season from Kerry as the Nets look to run and create points from defensive pressure.
Champagne's Take: I don't think any player benefitted more by Kidd's presence than Kerry Kittles did last year. The transition points Kerry racked up, flying down the wing for a Kidd pass and an easy lay-in/dunk, masked his iffy shooting. If he didn't have a career year in points per game, he had one in accuracy, and Kidd is the reason why. His "story" – returning from a lost season and half to stay injury-free and play every game – almost got lost in all the other good Nets news. Now, expectations are higher: he's seen as the weakest member of the Nets new, tougher starting five. No time to celebrate. Time to hit those jumpers.
Kerry Kittles stats and bio: click here.
2002 - 2003 Nets Roster
Brandon Armstrong - G
Chris Childs - G
Jason Collins - C
Lucious Harris - G
Richard Jefferson - F
Anthony Johnson - G
Jason Kidd - PG
Kerry Kittles - G
Kenyon Martin - F
Dikembe Mutombo - C
Rodney Rogers - F
Brian Scalabrine - F
Tamar Slay - G
Aaron Williams - PF/C
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