It was a year ago, in May 2021. Then assistant to the Lakers, Jason Kidd confided that he had changed as a coach, and that this experience at the Lakers had transformed him. He then hoped to have a new chance to be a “head coach”.
“I hope I am close (to a new opportunity). I wish I had another chance”claimed the 2011 NBA champion as a player, and in 2020 as an assistant. “Being here with Frank (Vogel), understanding his strengths, watching him and seeing how he handles different situations, that’s a key thing I’ve learned. Patience and communication are really essential to understand each other’s position. Not just your best players, but also the end of the bench.
A year later, Jason Kidd is preparing for a conference final as coach of the Mavericks, his favorite franchise. Facing his players, the Warriors, the franchise he supported as a kid. Born in Oakland, he lived and played in the San Francisco Bay Area until age 21.
« Guess being an assistant doesn’t count towards reaching a Western Conference final, but Frank Vogel is the easier answer Jason Kidd replies when asked about the reasons for his success. ” Frank Vogel prepared me for this, just like my first visits to Brooklyn and Milwaukee. Just figure it out, put the guys in a position to succeed, and listen to your star player. He wants to have fun? So let’s have fun! »
“Jason is truly unique because he’s one of the few superstar-level Hall Of Famers to have truly become a really great coach”
Criticized during his first stints with the Nets and the Bucks, Jason Kidd explained a year ago that he felt ” able to listen and filter the information given to you. Being able to use it or dismiss a proposal without saying “no” or being defensive. »
In Dallas, he is closer to his players, but one of his priorities has been to empower them. ” Accountability is a term we’ve been talking about this season and it’s what makes us accountable to each other. We arrived with these words and no one is exempt from them. There’s a lot I’ve learned in the last two years about coaching, but you also have to have talent to win and that’s what I have here in Dallas. »
For Steve Kerr, who suffered against him on the field, Jason Kidd is today an exception in the business.
« Jason is truly unique because he’s one of the few superstar-level Hall Of Famers to have truly become a really great coach.” he believes. “I have the feeling that most former players (turned coaches) are guys like me, role players. It’s been a long time since an all-time Top 25 superstar realized that. »
“I like the Chess side of this sport. I like the mental aspect of this sport”
The Dallas Mourning News recalls that 25 Hall Of Fame players have become NBA coaches, and only eight have a positive career record. Among these, there are really two superstars: Bill Russell (two NBA titles) and Larry Bird (NBA finalist, Coach Of The Year and 69% of victories). If Jason Kidd leads Dallas to the finals or outright to the title, he can put his name on their side, and unlike Larry Bird, who quickly became a leader, Jason Kidd loves this coaching job.
« I love the chess side of this sport. I like the mental aspect of this sport he enumerates. ” I love helping players achieve their goals, whether financial or athletic. Personally, this is what gives me pleasure in this sport. That’s how I see coaching. As a player, I played to win. As a coach, I play to win. Your impact is a little less, but we’re here to guide players to achieve their goals.«
