In August 2021, Jason Kidd, newly appointed as coach of the Dallas Mavericks, traveled to Slovenia to meet with Luka Doncic, acknowledging Doncic’s pivotal role in his coaching tenure. Kidd, a former NBA star and coach to talents like Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James, emphasized his supportive approach: “I’m here to help you,” he told ESPN in 2022, stressing honesty and constructive criticism.
During his three seasons coaching Doncic, Kidd addressed areas like attitude towards officials, defensive consistency, and physical conditioning, both publicly and privately. Kidd balanced these critiques with admiration for Doncic’s exceptional talent and toughness. Ahead of the 2024 NBA Finals, where the Mavericks trailed the Boston Celtics 0-3, Kidd’s candid assessment aimed to motivate Doncic to rise to the challenge, drawing parallels to NBA greats who faced similar hurdles before achieving success.