The last decade of the 1990s was highlighted by one theme: more is more.
This was just as true in pop culture as it was in sports. The iconic boy bands of the turn of the century were trotting out starting fives of their own. Part of their then-"in" look: bleaching parts or all of their hair.
While that look made its rounds in music and everday social circles, it hardly made a blip in the NBA.
Until Jason Kidd.
We have Kidd's unnaturally quick healing powers to thank for this day in Suns history. The former All-NBA guard underwent surgery after breaking his left ankle on March 22. At best, it was thought he'd return in the second round of the playoffs -- assuming Phoenix got that far.
Yet when Kidd awoke on the morning of Game 4 -- with Phoenix holding a 2-1 lead in the series -- he "felt great." After testing it out in the morning, he committed to playing that night, less than six weeks after having screws inserted into his ankle bone.
Penny Hardaway, who had carried the bulk of backcourt duties since Kidd joined the team's considerable injured list, was ecstatic at the news.
"When they announced that Jason was going to play, the team went crazy," Hardaway said. "They knew that the fans were going to react in a great way, and they did. I was so happy because I knew he was going to make my job a lot easier."
Easy for the Suns, that much harder for the Spurs, who did not receive similar good news from their own injured star. With Tim Duncan still sidelined with a knee injury, San Antonio was ill-equipped the handle Phoeinx's suddenly healthy guard tandem.
But the Spurs had to be more prepared to handle Kidd's basketball skills than his new 'do. Kidd punctuated his dramatic return with an equally dramatic makeover, sporting a curly and completely bleached mop of hair.
His playoff debut was as loud as his new look. Kidd hit his first three shots and finished with nine points, 10 assists and three steals. Hardaway, liberated by the return of his equally potent teammate, erupted for 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal.
Rodney Rogers, who was honored before the game as the Sixth Man of the Year, added 23 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
As for Kidd, the two-time league assists leader erased any and all doubt as to his place among the NBA elite.
“The guy is unbelievable. I mean, I got a new-found respect for him tonight watching him play, more than I had before,” Hardaway said. “I've always respected his game and loved him as a person, but for him to come out there today after missing five weeks and having only had a little walk through yesterday, to come out there and play big minutes was huge for us.”