Bob, my respect for has been lifted to even another plane. It’s hard for any of us admit we’re wrong, even when slapped in the face with hard facts. The truth say route is double down on our previous stance with a “just wait until I’m proven right .”
Like you I was beginning to believe Kidd didn’t have what it takes, although I held out hope longer than most. I’m glad he proved us wrong.
Landry is certainly Exhibit One in the case for patience, although we know that patience is not always a virtue (See Garrett, Jason.) sometimes it becomes an excuse for not making the hard decision.
Bob, thanks for writing this. I was one of your subscribers wondering a month after your wrote your article about Kidd if you were ready to eat crow. I'm glad you waited a little longer to see more of the results (winning 3 series and getting to the NBA Finals) before writing your mea culpa. You bring up some great points about patience and relationships. Kidd seems to be a master of both, at least in relation to this roster.
Bob once again (not that you need me or anyone else to you) you show why you are so exceptional in sports journalism with this piece. It’s extraordinary. Can’t get this kind of material anywhere else.
My follow-up questions are
1.) Did J-Kidd grow while in the role or did he have an original game plan all along and just had to wait until he got the right defensive rotation into place? I know he responded to a question on his growth as a coach by saying he’s learning every day.
2.) D-Live says he doesn’t understand why J-Kidd gets criticized or is called a “savant,” and that he thinks he’s a great coach. The fact that J-Kidd helped steer 1st year rookie D-Live into a big part of an NBA Finals roster cannot be overstated.
Nice article, Bob. I’m not sure if I’m totally sold. The phrase “you’re never as bad or as good as you think you are” comes to mind. I suppose JKidd does get the lion share of credit for this deus ex machina run for sure. But to compare him to Landry seems a bit far-fetched to me (but I understand your point). To me, the jury is still out. This is a great run though and my focus is on the team and not JKidd as a coach.
This was a great article btw and definitely gives me something to chew on. I would love to hear a disinterested insider (Kristaps?) respond to your article.
I came to write something similar. Kidd completely deserves credit for both parts of the season, and for that reason I’m not 100% sold Kidd will always be the best coach for this team. It did turn out he is the right coach for this team but not for last year’s team.
I think the worry I have about him is “petulance”, meaning a tendency to be detached, even blaming others in press conferences when things go wrong (I could be completely wrong about that point - it’s a memory/feeling that might be off). Maybe that detachment and allowing his team to sink or swim is what makes him a good coach, but it can also lead those of us on the outside to lose faith in bad times and then 3 months later nod along to a great mea culpa piece on SturmStack.
Very interesting perspective on his “one great coaching skill” of being able to get the best out of Luka and Kyrie by building a relationship with them.
I also want to echo other comments about your ability and willingness to recognize admit past errors. Kudos to you, Bob!
Great read Bob. I commented on I think that original article that you wrote (or could have been another one in that bad stretch) that the part that made me feel he was clueless was being able to see what Gafford could do yet then having Kidd play him so little in that stretch (I think he played 6 minutes in that Boston game) while also not playing Lively much (he kept going small). Kidd when asked about why he wasn't playing his bigs, and I paraphrase, said they had to earn it. He also commented around the same time about how failure wasn't a bad thing and could lead to learning and improvement (a statement that I can agree with). Perhaps he was teaching a lesson with playing time (his one true motivator for these guys) that was needed because since he made the lineup changes they have been the best team in the league. I was listening to the Locked on Podcast and hearing the Boston guy, they don't think the Mavs have any chance based on how good Boston has been all year. They don't realize that the Mavs yearlong stats are not consistent with the team they became, which has been the best team in the league since the lineup change (based on record and who they've beat) and I hope we beat the Celtics to shut guys like that up :)
I have always responded to people that try to make their points by yelling it at me that yelling does not make/prove their point, understood or respected by me. Let’s just talk like reasonable people and then we may discuss your grievances against me or what exactly is bothering you to this level of emotion. After that exchange the other party may (or may not) be reasonable. You decide after that slowed down calmness (hopefully) that things may get reasonably resolved.
Bob, my respect for has been lifted to even another plane. It’s hard for any of us admit we’re wrong, even when slapped in the face with hard facts. The truth say route is double down on our previous stance with a “just wait until I’m proven right .”
Like you I was beginning to believe Kidd didn’t have what it takes, although I held out hope longer than most. I’m glad he proved us wrong.
Landry is certainly Exhibit One in the case for patience, although we know that patience is not always a virtue (See Garrett, Jason.) sometimes it becomes an excuse for not making the hard decision.
Wow. Just fricking wow!
A perspective I never even thought of. Thanks Bob
Bob, thanks for writing this. I was one of your subscribers wondering a month after your wrote your article about Kidd if you were ready to eat crow. I'm glad you waited a little longer to see more of the results (winning 3 series and getting to the NBA Finals) before writing your mea culpa. You bring up some great points about patience and relationships. Kidd seems to be a master of both, at least in relation to this roster.
Bob once again (not that you need me or anyone else to you) you show why you are so exceptional in sports journalism with this piece. It’s extraordinary. Can’t get this kind of material anywhere else.
My follow-up questions are
1.) Did J-Kidd grow while in the role or did he have an original game plan all along and just had to wait until he got the right defensive rotation into place? I know he responded to a question on his growth as a coach by saying he’s learning every day.
2.) D-Live says he doesn’t understand why J-Kidd gets criticized or is called a “savant,” and that he thinks he’s a great coach. The fact that J-Kidd helped steer 1st year rookie D-Live into a big part of an NBA Finals roster cannot be overstated.
Nice article, Bob. I’m not sure if I’m totally sold. The phrase “you’re never as bad or as good as you think you are” comes to mind. I suppose JKidd does get the lion share of credit for this deus ex machina run for sure. But to compare him to Landry seems a bit far-fetched to me (but I understand your point). To me, the jury is still out. This is a great run though and my focus is on the team and not JKidd as a coach.
He is not Tom Landry. But the groupthink negative reviews on both seem worth looking at.
This was a great article btw and definitely gives me something to chew on. I would love to hear a disinterested insider (Kristaps?) respond to your article.
I came to write something similar. Kidd completely deserves credit for both parts of the season, and for that reason I’m not 100% sold Kidd will always be the best coach for this team. It did turn out he is the right coach for this team but not for last year’s team.
I think the worry I have about him is “petulance”, meaning a tendency to be detached, even blaming others in press conferences when things go wrong (I could be completely wrong about that point - it’s a memory/feeling that might be off). Maybe that detachment and allowing his team to sink or swim is what makes him a good coach, but it can also lead those of us on the outside to lose faith in bad times and then 3 months later nod along to a great mea culpa piece on SturmStack.
Very interesting perspective on his “one great coaching skill” of being able to get the best out of Luka and Kyrie by building a relationship with them.
I also want to echo other comments about your ability and willingness to recognize admit past errors. Kudos to you, Bob!
Great read Bob. I commented on I think that original article that you wrote (or could have been another one in that bad stretch) that the part that made me feel he was clueless was being able to see what Gafford could do yet then having Kidd play him so little in that stretch (I think he played 6 minutes in that Boston game) while also not playing Lively much (he kept going small). Kidd when asked about why he wasn't playing his bigs, and I paraphrase, said they had to earn it. He also commented around the same time about how failure wasn't a bad thing and could lead to learning and improvement (a statement that I can agree with). Perhaps he was teaching a lesson with playing time (his one true motivator for these guys) that was needed because since he made the lineup changes they have been the best team in the league. I was listening to the Locked on Podcast and hearing the Boston guy, they don't think the Mavs have any chance based on how good Boston has been all year. They don't realize that the Mavs yearlong stats are not consistent with the team they became, which has been the best team in the league since the lineup change (based on record and who they've beat) and I hope we beat the Celtics to shut guys like that up :)
Like your insights from the locked on Boston podcast. Yes, I hope the Mavs make a big showing tonight! It's going soon.
I have always responded to people that try to make their points by yelling it at me that yelling does not make/prove their point, understood or respected by me. Let’s just talk like reasonable people and then we may discuss your grievances against me or what exactly is bothering you to this level of emotion. After that exchange the other party may (or may not) be reasonable. You decide after that slowed down calmness (hopefully) that things may get reasonably resolved.
AKA The TL approach, and apparently JK.