Jason Kidd isn’t exactly in a chipper mood these days-and it’s not hard to see why. The Dallas Mavericks are in a tailspin, dropping their fourth straight game in a 111-107 loss to the Houston Rockets, and the pressure is mounting.
That frustration boiled over this weekend when Kidd abruptly ended a media session after bristling at questions about his decision to hand point guard duties to rookie Cooper Flagg. Before walking off, he also took aim at the officiating, particularly a no-call on a late-game drive by Flagg.
That outburst cost him a $35,000 fine-and drew plenty of attention.
To be fair, Kidd’s not wrong about one thing: the Mavericks don’t have time to dwell. At 19-30, they’re now three and a half games out of the final Play-In Tournament spot in a Western Conference that offers no freebies.
Every game matters, and every possession is magnified. This is survival mode.
The situation is far from ideal. Kyrie Irving was already out to start the season, and now Anthony Davis is dealing with a hand injury.
That’s left 19-year-old Cooper Flagg, still adjusting to the NBA grind, with the keys to the offense far earlier than anyone expected. It’s a trial by fire, and while Flagg has shown flashes of why he was such a hyped prospect, he’s also learning on the job-against some of the league’s best.
But here’s the thing: despite the losing streak, the Mavericks haven’t rolled over. Their last two losses have come by a combined six points.
They’re in these games. They’re battling.
That speaks to the culture Kidd has instilled-scrappy, hard-nosed, and competitive, even when the odds are stacked against them.
That said, Kidd’s job isn’t just about X’s and O’s or managing rotations. It’s also about leadership, especially in front of the cameras. When things go south, the head coach sets the tone, and while his frustration is understandable, the expectation is that he keeps his cool-even when the questions get uncomfortable.
Now, the spotlight shifts to how Dallas responds. The Rockets game stung, no doubt.
Kidd’s postgame comments only added fuel to the fire. But sometimes, that kind of edge can galvanize a team.
The Mavericks have a chance to show some of that fight against the Boston Celtics, who come in at 31-18 and aren’t exactly the kind of team you want to face when you're trying to stop a slide.
Still, this is the NBA-where momentum can flip on a dime, and a single win can change the narrative. If Dallas can channel the frustration, rally around Flagg, and get just enough from their supporting cast, they might be able to claw their way back into the Play-In picture. But it starts with focus, resilience, and yes, a little composure from the guy calling the shots.