Column: Jason Kidd's limitations hurt the Mavericks in more ways than one
DALLAS — It sounded like an excuse. Following the Mavericks' unsavory blown 27-point lead on Sunday, head coach Jason Kidd tried to explain what happened. He touched on Luka Doncic's unnecessary backcourt save that resulted in a turnover. He touched on the team losing focus as the officials' whistles led to visible on-court frustrations. But […]
DALLAS — It sounded like an excuse.
Following the Mavericks' unsavory blown 27-point lead on Sunday, head coach Jason Kidd tried to explain what happened. He touched on Luka Doncic's unnecessary backcourt save that resulted in a turnover. He touched on the team losing focus as the officials' whistles led to visible on-court frustrations. But he didn't say the one thing typically heard from coaches following embarrassing loss: "I have to coach better."
Instead, he admitted to merely watching the game, as if he was a passive consumer of the sport like a fan or media member.
"I'm not the savior here," Kidd said. "I'm watching, I'm not playing, I'm watching just like you guys. As a team, we have to mature… We have to grow up if we want to win a championship."
It makes one think: If Kidd is just watching, who is coaching? Yes, there is some merit to having players push through mistakes. Phil Jackson did it. He also coached Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, two guys who didn't let teammates make the same mistakes twice.
Doncic, though a generational talent, isn't that type of leader. He's still young. And as a result, he often tries to win games by himself. So as leads shrink and pressure mounts, Doncic tends to force the issue in hopes of his magic carrying Dallas out of a tight situation.
That is what happened against the Lakers. In the fourth quarter, it was as if Doncic forgot he now has Kyrie Irving to help him.
Insert Kidd. In moments when a young star is forcing the issue, an average coach would typically call a timeout or two to settle the game. Instead, Kidd watched — passively — as everything unraveled.
It isn't the first time Kidd watched as Dallas fell apart. Early in the season, when Dallas would blow leads to lesser teams, it was often in a familiar fashion — Kidd watching, refusing to call a timeout or shift his rotations.
He opted to have his guys "figure things out" then. As the losses mounted, the crux of the issue was placed on the roster: Doncic didn't have enough help. Well, after trading for Irving, that is no longer the case. Doncic has more than enough offensive help.
What the Mavericks don't appear to possess is a coach that will take accountability when he has to coach better.
"We have to grow up if we want to win a championship," Kidd said.
If championships are the Mavericks' goal, Kidd also has to do some growing and admit when he needs to coach better. He may not be playing, but he is building the rotation, pulling the strings, and drawing up the late-game plays that rarely seem to result in quality looks — all of which were lacking on Sunday. Fixing those issues isn't Doncic or Irving's responsibility — it's on Kidd actively coaching and not merely watching.
For Kidd to do so first starts by taking accountability, not making excuses.
Related Dallas Mavericks reading
"Mavericks: Typical Dallas advantage was negated by Lakers."
"Kyrie Irving provides exactly what Luka Doncic needed all season."
"Key veteran reveals why he chose Dallas over other options."
"What to know about the NBA champion Dallas just added."
Feature image via Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
