Two golds, 56-0 in international play (Getty Images).

EIGHT YEARS AFTER WINNING his first gold medal, Jason returned to Team USA and the Olympic Games in 2008, and led the U.S. squad back to the summit of international basketball.

J-Kidd was added to the American team for his leadership abilities, experience, and all-around playmaking ability, and all of his skills were required to get USA Basketball back atop the medal stand in Beijing.

A team captain, Jason started every game at point guard. As documented by the Boston Globe, he kept the U.S. composed in the tensest, most pressure-packed moments of games.

“I just got to keep calming these guys down because everybody’s going to be on an emotional high,” said Kidd after a hard-fought 101-81 semifinal victory over 2004 Olympic champion Argentina. “We have to figure out how to keep our composure and our energy level at an even keel until game time.”

THE PRELIMS
No. 5 and Team USA strolled through the preliminary round, tallying a 5-0 record that included victories over Greece and Spain -- two teams touted as top competitors for the gold. In the prelims, Team USA outscored opponents by more than 30 points per game, but Jason was well aware it wouldn’t be that easy in the medal rounds:

“I think the biggest thing is when you look at the blowouts, the first Dream Team, they scared guys before they ever got to the floor. For us, the world’s gotten better, so it’s not about intimidating. It’s about playing the game the right way and that’s what we have done for the last five games. So, now we have to concentrate on Australia. We’ve got three games to the gold medal and now this is where it starts.”

MEDAL ROUND
After a sound 116-85 victory over Australia, Jason and Co. headed to a semifinal game with defending Olympic champion Argentina. With the game close in the second half, No. 5 took over, creating opportunities for teammates against Argentina’s tough zone defense.

Team USA Coach Mike Krzyzewski sung Jason’s praises to the media after the win:

“He’s the first guy I went to in the locker room as they were coming in, I said ‘that was by far you’re best game.’ He really was a great leader for us. What he was doing against the zone in moving people around and moving the ball, he played his best game. That third quarter, especially the start of the second half was critical for the win. And, I think Jason was the primary guy making that happen.”

With the 101-81 victory, Jason led America's charge into the gold medal game and a rematch with Spain.

No. 5 started and was active throughout, working the point and the huddle, where he talked to teammates about strategy, showing confidence in them, and encouraging them to play their best. This was Jason’s role throughout the Games: team captain and leader, ever the facilitator, as he has always been throughout his storied career.

Team USA would end up closing out Spain, 118-107, in the final minutes. As the clock ticked down, ESPN.com’s Chris Sheridan described the triumphant moments:

“With the final seconds ticking off, Jason Kidd and Coach K jumped into each other’s arms, embracing and spinning in a circle.”

No. 5 continued to lead his teammates from atop the podium even as the National Anthem played:

“Hands on hearts, guys, hands on hearts,” Kidd said.

UNDEFEATED AGAINST THE WORLD
It was the culmination of a perfect Olympic career for J-Kidd. His international resume remains untarnished at an astounding 56-0. And with that ended No. 5’s second and last Olympic experience. He laid any doubt of his plans to rest, after the game, as recounted by the Contra Costa Times:

“I’m undefeated,” Jason Kidd said. “I told them I can retire now from international ball.”

His second gold medal puts Jason among elite company; he is one of just 13 American player to win two golds. Asked which medal meant more to him, J-Kidd was caught in the moment:

“2000 was unbelievable, but this is the moment right now, and this is something I will cherish a long time.”