Kidd’s struggles continue

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Jason Kidd’s slump has replaced Derek Jeter’s skid as the talk of the New York metropolitan area.

The All-Star point guard has missed 31 of 40 shots in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Detroit Pistons, including a woeful 2-for-14 performance in New Jersey’s 82-64 win in Game 3 on Sunday night.

“I have never shot over 40 percent in my career so I am not going to try to improve it now,” Kidd quipped Monday after the Nets held a short workout.

New Jersey will try to tie the best-of-seven series here Tuesday night.

Kidd insisted his shooting has nothing to do with his left knee, which caused him to miss nine games late in the season.

However, he noted that he played 39 minutes in Game 3 after playing 44 minutes Friday night.

“I have had some bad shooting games but that doesn’t stop me from playing the other side and getting the ball to my teammates,” said Kidd, who had a game-high 12 assists Sunday. “Again, if my game was built on my shooting percentage or me scoring points, I probably wouldn’t be in this league.”

The disappointing play hasn’t cost Kidd his sense of humor.

When asked to compare his slump to Jeter’s recent 0-for-32 skid for the Yankees in late April, Kidd reminded everyone of their statistics.

“He had an Oh-for,” Kidd said. “I made two shots.”

Kidd said the slump is a little frustrating because he feels he is getting some good looks and taking good shots, but the ball isn’t going in.

In the Nets’ sweep of the Pistons in the conference final last year, Kidd averaged 23.8 points.

“He is due,” said Richard Jefferson, who had a postseason career-high 30 points Sunday. “He hasn’t had a triple-double in a while. He’ll get going.”

Martin was well aware of that, too.

“He didn’t come into the league as a shooter,” Martin said of Kidd. “If he could make a couple it would help. We’re not putting pressure on him. He does enough things to help us win whether he is shooting the ball well or not.”