WHO GOT THE BETTER DEAL in last summer's trade between New Jersey and Phoenix? The debate rages, but the fact of the matter is each player has made his new team better.

When the Nets dealt Stephon Marbury to the Suns for Jason Kidd during the summer, the trade seemed concocted in a fantasy league.

Kidd instantly helped transform New Jersey into the best team in the New York area and among the Eastern Conference elite.

Thus, observers reflexively questioned whether Phoenix's management was in the heat too long for trading perhaps the league's best point guard.

"He's the ultimate," said Celtics great Bob Cousy. "How do you allow a Jason Kidd to leave?"

But the epic deal was like exchanging a date with Jennifer Lopez for one with Angelina Jolie; a Picasso for a Van Gogh; Jay-Z's lyrics for Biggie Smalls'.

There's no denying the talent. So the preference comes down to a matter of taste.

No point guard creates easier shots ? commonly called making teammates better ? than Kidd. The 6-foot-4 point guard sees the floor like he has X-ray vision.