He's also the team's best hope for a gold medal.

The finest to play the position since Magic Johnson (sorry, Steve Nash), Kidd has lost a step. Maybe two steps, judging from the way Chris Paul broke him down in the playoffs.Then again, Paul is only 23. Kidd is 35, a veteran of 14 professional seasons.

Kidd didn't need Paul to demonstrate that the legs go first; Kidd understands that. But that's not all he understands. His aptitude for the game — for international competition, in particular — remains undiminished, perhaps even enhanced. In his advanced years, Kidd might be better suited for international ball than for the NBA.

International games run eight minutes shorter, but the play is more physical, especially at the guard position. Kidd probably feels as if he's been given a few years back. Hey, who needs legs when you can hand-check?

"I like the physical game," he said Thursday after practice. "For me that definitely is an advantage. And at my age now, 40 minutes is a little easier than 48."

Chris Paul has no beef not starting over a guy he outplayed just a couple of months ago. "It's totally different from the NBA season and the playoffs," he said.

"Big guards tend to have an advantage in this game," said Deron Williams, the third-string point. "Plus, he's Jason Kidd, one of the best point guards ever to play the game."

At 35, Kidd is also playing for his legacy. Chances are, playing for the Mavericks in the Western Conference, his shot at a championship is about done. But there's still another chance he'll go down as one of the great international players.

It's been a lousy decade for USA Basketball, but not for those teams Kidd played on. He's played five summers of international ball since 1999. And with Kidd at the point, American teams are 38-0. That would include an 8-0 run in Sydney eight years ago.

"He's the only guy on our team who's won an Olympic gold medal," notes coach Mike Krzyzewski. "His experience is very, very important to us."

Experience can be an overrated commodity, but not in this case. While the team is long on talent (American teams always are), it's short on experience, especially international experience. The average player is just under 24, a year younger than that if you factor out Kidd. Most of the guys are big scorers, their stars inevitably rising with their egos. Kidd is old and not much of a shooter. In other words, he's perfect for this crew.

"We have so many scorers," says Williams. "But he can dominate a game without taking a shot."

Kidd can be high maintenance if you're a general manager — just ask the Nets' Rod Thorn. But other players love being on the floor with him. They know he'll get you the ball where it makes you look best.

"That part never changes," said Kidd. "Get the ball to the right guys at the right time."

That's why Kobe Bryant wanted him in Los Angeles. And that's why Krzyzewski chose him to start. Kidd's presence guards against a malady — knuckleheadedness — that doomed USA Basketball in '04 in Athens and '06 in Japan.

"He has the respect of his teammates, his coaches and his opponents," said Krzyzewski. "His stature is at the highest level."

One thing this team won't fight over is the last shot.

"Whoever's open," said Kidd. "It's my decision."