Mavericks Coach Jason Kidd Sees “Incredible” Season Despite Playoff Miss After Doncic Trade
DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks, once seemingly playoff-bound, will be watching the postseason from home after a tumultuous season highlighted by the surprising trade of Luka Doncic. Despite the setback, Coach Jason Kidd remains optimistic, focusing on the resilience of his team in the face of adversity.
Kidd Praises Team’s Character Amidst Challenges
“It was an incredible season,” Kidd said after the Mavericks’ defeat by the Memphis Grizzlies. He highlighted the numerous injuries and critically important roster changes the team endured. “When you look at the injuries that we had, the changes, the fact that we were even there tonight playing this game is incredible. It just shows the character of that group in the locker room,their fight,their planning,their ability to move forward,to learn from our losses as well as our wins. So it’s an incredible season despite the changes and the injuries.”
Mavs Fall Short: grizzlies Outplay Dallas
Kidd acknowledged the disappointment of missing the playoffs, but emphasized the team’s competitive spirit. He credited the Grizzlies for their performance in the game that sealed Dallas’ fate. “You know, some people said we shouldn’t even be here. So you really have to give a lot of credit to these guys in the locker room.”
Analyzing the loss to Memphis, kidd noted the impact of turnovers and Memphis’ hot shooting in the frist half.“We turned the ball over, and they shot the ball extremely well in the first half,” Kidd stated. “But I thought the reaction after that, when we got back to seven, was good, even though we never really got over that hump after that. We fought, but the turnovers against this team put you in a bad position, and that’s what happened.”
veteran Leadership Shines Despite Defeat
Kidd also praised the contributions of veterans Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson. “When you look at our leader, Anthony… I thought he and Klay played well. I thought AD did everything he could to help us win. Unfortunately, we didn’t shoot the ball well. We had some great looks that just didn’t go in. A lot of balls went around the rim and came out tonight. We’ve got to shoot the ball better, especially on the road. But give credit to Memphis. They were the better team tonight.”
Beyond injuries and roster changes,what specific areas did Coach Kidd identify as needing improvement for the Mavericks moving forward?
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd Sees “Incredible” Season Despite Playoff Miss after Doncic Trade - Q&A
Here’s a breakdown of the Dallas Mavericks’ season,as discussed by Coach Jason Kidd:
Q&A
Why is Coach Kidd calling the season “incredible” despite missing the playoffs?
Kidd is focusing on the team’s resilience. He highlights significant challenges: numerous injuries and roster changes,emphasizing the team’s character and ability to compete despite adversity.
What were some of the key challenges the Mavericks faced?
The main challenges included injuries to key players and crucial roster changes, including the trade of Luka Doncic. These issues substantially impacted the team’s performance.
What was the impact of the loss to Memphis Grizzlies?
The loss to the grizzlies sealed the Mavericks’ fate, eliminating them from playoff contention. Kidd pointed out that turnovers and Memphis’s hot shooting significantly impacted the game.
Trivia: Did you know Memphis had a particularly strong first half shooting percentage? It was critical to their victory.
Who did Kidd praise for their performance?
Kidd praised veterans Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson. He noted their leadership and effort,despite the team’s struggles.
What were the key takeaways from the Mavericks’ performance?
The Mavericks struggled with turnovers and inconsistent shooting—factors that ultimately led to their loss. Kidd emphasized that the team needs to improve their shooting,especially on the road.
Actionable Advice: To improve shooting, the Mavericks might focus on pre-game warm-up routines and developing a strategy that helps them deal with road game pressure.
Despite the disappointment of missing the playoffs, Coach Kidd’s viewpoint highlights the importance of resilience and leadership within the Dallas Mavericks. The season,although challenging,provided valuable lessons about the team’s character and ability to overcome setbacks.
