I can see it both ways. Yes, he doesn't have to give the medal to his family, but it's assumed that a good family man should. Of course we know that Kidd isn't one, but this just continues to prove that. What he "should" have said was "I can't wait to give this gold medal to TJ and let him realize the importance and pride that comes with representing your country in the Olympics and give him a dream and a goal to look towards." But of course, being Kidd, he didn't. He gave it to a casino for some still unexplainable reason.
I agree with cpaw, he can do with it what he wants. He earned it. Just because you have kids it doesn't give them entitlement to everything you ever do in your life, however it would've been a nice gesture to give it to his kids. That said, he just trivialized his achievement by giving it to someone he barely knows in order to look like a big shot with a wealthy Las Vegas big wig. Typical Kidd.
The "entitlement" angle was used by Cpaw to (not unexpectedly) mischaracterize my remarks (although he didn't specifically use that word). I stated my opinion that he was acting selfishly; the medal should go to his kids (and then his future grandchildren); and his ex-wife should be ticked off by the whole thing. Yes, he can do what ever he wants with it, and no one is "entitled" to it except for him (again, unless it is subject to a property settlement)--but that doesn't reduce the extent of his selfishness, or should abolish the annoyance felt by his family. Of course, the mere act of giving it away isn't the only factor; we have to consider WHO he is giving it to as well. There are two issues at play, and Cpaw is (I think) intentionally jumbling them up, partly because I doubt his reading comprehension (or my writing) is that bad to confuse the intent of what I wrote. The first is whether Kidd has the legal right to dispose of it as he sees fit. The answer is probably "yes," although, again, there may be other agreements in play that limit him. The second, though, is more delicate, and goes to what society as a whole would agree is the morally, ethically, and just compassionate thing to do. Just because he CAN do a thing doesn't mean that he SHOULD do a thing. The fact that he is going to give his gold medal to a millionaire's wife "just because" is pathetic and reveals even more about him. If he wants to give it away . . . if he offered to give it to the trainer who helped him recover from microfracture surgery, I'd applaud him. If he gave it to his high school coach who helped develop him into the player he is today, it would be a tremendous gesture and my respect for him would go up tenfold. But, of course, he wouldn't consider one of those things, because he is a selfish, shallow prima donna who deserves nothing but our contempt.
I am a big fan of the NBA but the USA Mens Basketball Team bores me. Kidd probably had a side deal already in place. How far is the golf course from the hotel? can you say - Honorary Member for Life.
You are jumbling selfishness with morals, ethics and compassion. I've stated two different things. One was that he had a legal right to do with as he wants and the other was to ask you to why you think what he is doing is selfish. Now that you have provided more information about the selfish angle, I can respond to it. I don't agree with your premise that it should go to one of his children. Kidd has multiple children and a gold medal is not something that can practicably be split among heirs. Why should he be put through the torment later in his life of deciding which child should get it? Especially when a womanizer like him is very likely to continue to have more children. As far as moral and ethics, I know plenty of people that take the position that there is nothing moral or ethical about passing on "wealth" through inheritance. Now you could take the position that it is a memorabilia and not wealth (even though it does have monetary value unlike a family photo), but still where is the moral or ethical requirement to force a father to pick which child should receive such a unique item? I believe you are projecting your own values onto a man that doesn't share your same sense of sentimentality.
If Kidd wasn't keeping it or giving it to family, why not give it to Coach K? We all know coaches don't earn medals and it would've been the perfect gesture and would show so much respect to USA Basketball. People's views of Kidd would improve tremendously. This isn't the first questionable thing that Kidd has done in his career but after all, it's his choice.
That's a great idea also. Kidd already has one from 2000 so that would definitely be a nice a great gesture.
Kidd has already mentioned that the first gold is locked up and probably end up with TJ. I don't know, too many these medals, awards, shouldn't mean too much to the athlete, I mean it's the experience that they'll always take away with that has more value, he's already int he history books as an Olympic Champion, in addition to his NBA hardware....then again he wanted another 20 million from NJ, seems cash is a need of his, would have made more sense for him to keep it and sell it one day when he's in need.....yea right.
