Landon Buford
Jason Kidd, the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, is a legendary figure in the world of basketball. Known for his exceptional skills as a point guard during his playing days, Kidd has brought that same level of expertise and knowledge to the coaching profession. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Kidd’s career as a player, his transition to coaching, and his impact on the Mavericks.
Jason Kidd was born on March 23, 1973, in San Francisco, California. He grew up playing basketball and quickly established himself as a standout player in high school. After graduating, Kidd attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he continued to impress with his skills on the court. In 1994, Kidd was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks, beginning a 19-year career in the NBA that would see him play for six different teams.
During his playing days, Kidd was widely regarded as one of the best point guards in the league. He was known for his exceptional vision, passing ability, and basketball IQ, as well as his tenacity on defense. Kidd was named to the NBA All-Star team ten times and won two Olympic gold medals as a member of the USA men’s basketball team.
Kidd retired from playing in 2013 and quickly transitioned to coaching. He served as an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets during the 2013-2014 season before being named head coach of the team the following year. Kidd’s time in Brooklyn was short-lived, however, as he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2014.
Kidd spent four seasons with the Bucks, leading the team to the playoffs twice. He was known for his focus on defense and his ability to develop young players. After being let go by the Bucks in 2018, Kidd took a year off before being hired by the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant coach for the 2019-2020 season.
In 2021, Kidd returned to the Mavericks, the team that had drafted him nearly 30 years earlier. He was hired as head coach, replacing Rick Carlisle. Kidd inherited a team that had a talented roster but had struggled to make the playoffs in recent years.
Under Kidd’s leadership, the Mavericks have shown significant improvement. He has brought a renewed focus on defense, something that had been lacking in previous seasons. Kidd has also worked to develop young players like Luka Doncic, helping them to reach their full potential.
Kidd’s impact on the Mavericks goes beyond just the on-court product. He has brought a level of professionalism and accountability to the team that has been noticed by players, fans, and media members alike. His experience as a player and coach has given him a unique perspective that he is able to use to help his players and the organization as a whole.
In conclusion, Jason Kidd is a basketball icon who has made a successful transition from playing to coaching. His knowledge, experience, and leadership have helped the Dallas Mavericks to become a competitive team once again. With Kidd at the helm, Mavericks fans can be confident that the team is in good hands.
Speaking of coach Kidd, I recently spoke to his assistant coach Sean Sweeney, who also worked with Kidd in Brooklyn & Milwaukee about how both have grown since those last two stops.
“Well, I think we’re all the sum of our experiences and Jason is the same guy he was back in Brooklyn and in Jersey and into Milwaukee he’s just the evolution of who he’s been,” said Sweeney.
“He’s just continued to grow and has learned as he’s gone but you can see he’s still the same guy. [That] still believes in the same things, and it’s just more experience than who he is at this point.”
