The Dallas Mavericks season ended with a seven game first-round loss to the LA Clippers. Before the exit interviews were complete, a bombshell story dropped in the Athletic about the dysfunctional dynamics in the front office. Although Mavericks owner Mark Cuban denied the allegations calling them “complete BS”, his actions spoke louder as GM Donnie Nelson exited the team and coach Rick Carlisle tendered his resignation. Cuban’s admiration for gambler turned front office advisor Haralabob Voulgharis was considered a major source of conflict and his role with the team moving forward is uncertain.
Donnie Nelson has been replaced by Nico Harrison, a former talent scout for Nike. Harrison has a good rapport with many elite players which should work in his favor. He has no experience as a GM but hopes to use his relationship-building skills to excel in his new position.
Jason Kidd was endorsed by outgoing coach Carlisle. Kidd has previously been the head coach of the Nets and Bucks and most recently was an assistant under Lakers coach Frank Vogel. Kidd used this time to learn the finer points of head coaching from the older more experienced Vogel. Many thought Kidd would eventually take over for Vogel but a championship last season solidified Vogel’s hold on the job.
Kidd is viewed differently by players and NBA analysts. Players respect him for his amazing career while analysts are surprised at his coaching popularity due to his lack of success in his previous stops.
Kidd is 183-190 for his career regular-season coaching record and 9-15 in the playoffs. Kidd has one series win, a first-round victory over Toronto with the Nets. He was bounced in the first round with his 2 playoff appearances with the Bucks. Kidd played a vital role in the development of future MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and they still have a good relationship.
During Kidd’s time in Milwaukee, they ranked 4th, 19th, 22nd, and 25th in defense. After Kidd left, Milwaukee had the top-ranked in defense in the league the next year.
Kidd walks into a dream situation coaching Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic. In the NBA it is impossible to win without a superstar and Dallas has their superstar! Harrison will be in charge of shoring up the supporting cast which has failed to keep up with Luka. Nelson swung a high upside trade that didn’t pan out, making a move for Kristaps Porzingis, who has failed to find his pre-knee surgery effectiveness. Yet superstars are rare and role players are abundant so Harrison is in a great spot to nurture a winning franchise.
Kids should be able to relate to Luka as a ball-dominant playmaker. Kidd can instruct Luka on the finer points of running an offense such as when to get your teammates involved and when to take over. Kidd, like Luka, was gifted with an unbelievable sense of passing acumen and ingenuity that excites the fans. As players who see beyond the game, Kidd should be able to relate to his play-making star.
Kidd will have to show improvement from his previous stops but coaching under Vogel with his impressive defensive acumen surely could only benefit Kidd’s coaching ability. Kidd will be relying on Harrison to bring in the proper supporting players It will be up to him however to establish the scheme rotations in continuity that every team needs to contend for a championship. Unlike a rebuilding situation, the expectations for the Mavericks will be high right off the bat. Kidd will be expected to deliver early and often.
So is Jason Kidd the right coach for the Mavericks? Normally I would not be impressed with a retread getting a third job, but look at the job that Frank Vogel has done in Los Angeles after being written off. Just like players, coaches also learn from their failures and this is Kidd’s opportunity to show that he has grown, matured, and improved. I personally would have gone for a coach more innovative in the X’s and O’s department, but the Mavericks went the relationship-building route and hired a player who Luka has respect for due to his hall of fame career.
I do not believe that Kidd was the right hire for this team. He now has a great opportunity to prove me and the myriad of doubters in the NBA community wrong. I believe the NBA odds at BookMaker will reflect that as well as most consider Carlilse to Kidd a three win downgrade. I question Kidd’s ability to draw up a forward-thinking offense and create accountability on defense. His time in Milwaukee shows the talent was there and he didn’t manage and nurture it correctly. Milwaukee’s drastic improvement after he left should be an indictment of his ability to maximize talent. I and many others do not believe Kidd has what it takes to lead a championship roster, and this may be his last chance to prove us wrong!