Jason Kidd On Cooper Flagg, Kyrie’s Recovery, and The Luka Trade

Jason Kidd On Cooper Flagg, Kyrie’s Recovery, and The Luka Trade

We are now joined live in studio by a 10time all-star, a member of the 75-y year NBA anniversary team, 2011 NBA champion, of course, Naymith Basketball Hall of Famer, and most importantly these days, the head coach of your Dallas Mavericks. He of course is Jason Kid. Well, let’s get into it. Mark sign, go ahead. None of this that kid from Duke stuff. You know, you want to tell us who you drafted on June 25th. Uh, we love that kid from Duke. um been studying him a little bit. Um and so uh that’s the answer. That’s the real answer. I mean this draft is uh is really talented. Uh you have some young men uh at the University of Ruckers and so uh it’s exciting, but um right now I’m studying the the young man uh that used to play at Duke. So you guys you guys have a a very tricky thing headed in heading into next season where we all understand Kyrie, you know, the quarterback, the team, he’s going to miss, you know, we don’t know for sure yet, but but it’s going to it’s going to be a significant chunk, you know, maybe half the season, maybe more. Uh how do you see like like how difficult is that? And I know the roster isn’t set, but how difficult is that going into into a season where you’ve got an allNBA point guard who, you know, the the drink sir, as you like to say, uh, you know, he’s going to be there later in the year, but you have to plan both without him and then you have to plan with him. How do you how do you go about that? And and then the kid from Duke, Cooper, how much does he make that whole situation easier? Well, I think um it’s you know, we understand Kai is out from the injury. Um and so I think you can look at it as a positive that um we know he won’t be back until um January, February, March. And so, uh to be able to build the roster, uh maybe looking for a player that can fill that that void until he can get back. Also a player that can play with with Kai. also a player that might not play as much when Kai comes back. And so um being able to look at free agency uh that way. Um but again, next man up mentality. Um as if you look at the roster today, um you know, understanding uh Dante and those guys and Spencer, those guys did an incredible job. Uh when you talk about Spencer, um coming, you know, to us and having the opportunity to, you know, be that third string point guard, but turned out to lead us in in minutes. Uh but Dante again, uh went healthy, uh played his part at a high level, and so uh it’s exciting. um understanding we have the number one pick um and if we uh go after the young man uh from Duke, he gives us um a lot of options uh because he can play multiple positions. Uh you can have a jumbo lineup out there where you’re extremely big. Um and then also you can go small. So this is as a coach, but as a as a Mavs fan, this is an exciting time. And then you say you say January, February, March when when talking about Kyne as potential return. I didn’t want to put a time limit on it because I don’t want to be held to you said January. So, we got to give me some lee room there. But knowing Kai, he’s going to try to come back soon. And all positive news so far. Yeah, Kai’s been great. Uh positive uh as you know, he documents everything and so uh just but talking to him, his spirit, he’s in in in the right frame of mind and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s back early. Let’s take a look back for you because a year ago yesterday, your team was clenching a spot in the Western Conference Finals and obviously over the last 365 days, a lot of change with the the organization, the trade, the injuries, and everything else. How would you describe what the last year has been like for you and how you’ve had to manage all of this given what you’ve had to deal with in terms of the changes, but also trying to keep this team in going forward in the right direction? Yeah, I think it’s uh you know, it’s it’s about being prepared, but also being prepared, you know, for change. Um and so I I thought the group, my coaching staff and the players did an incredible job with the trade and also with the um injuries, next man up mentality. The guys played extremely hard. I thought was maybe lost a little bit in the season um because it was next man up. Uh B will had an incredible year for us. a great story. Two-way, turns into NBA contract. Uh Naji Marshall, again, started as a small forward, played power forward, maybe played a little center uh there, and then ended up being our point guard. Um and so there was a lot of positive stories. Uh understanding, you know, the trade uh took a lot of that um away from from what the positives were, but again, the guys played extremely hard. um my coaching staff continue to push forward and I thought, you know, we had to continue to keep pushing forward. If we didn’t and we asked, you know, if we had someone, our season would have never got to where we were, and that was to be able to play in the playing game. The Suns might steal Shawn Sweeney from that coaching staff. We’re going to have to see how that turns out. I think it’s great that the coaching staff uh between Sweeney and Duds got interviews. Um, I think that just shows uh the depth of the coaching staff. As much as we talked about the depth of our team, uh, our coaching staff is now starting to get recognized for their talent and and Sean has made it to the second round and uh, and I’m excited. Uh, hopefully he does uh, end up as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns because it would be a great story. When you watch film of Cooper, what do you see? I see a young man who’s uh, only 18 years old who can do a lot of things. Uh, one, he won’t be 19 until December. Um, which is, uh, is really surprising. Uh, but I think when you talk about being able to play two through four and in today’s game, you might be able to sneak him around the five if we’re going to label him as a position player. But, uh, maybe there’s still some growth only being 18, he could, you know, still grow here. But, I think you can play him, um, you know, at the two. his ability to shoot the ball to be able to put it on the floor. Um, again, as I talked about, we can have a big group out there that could start. When you look at not just what this organization has gone through with the season, having now won the NBA draft lottery, you and Nico Harrison have been joined at the Hips joining this team four plus years ago. How would you describe your relationship with him at this point, even since February 1st and everything that’s taken place since then? How would you describe your relationship and where that is now as you guys try to move forward with this team given what you guys have gone through? Yeah, I think uh my relationship with Nico is at a high. You know, uh understanding um business uh is is part of the game of basketball. Um I’ve been a part of it as a player and coach. And so, uh understanding the vision of winning a championship is what Nico’s here to do. And I’m in full support of that. Um, and so I’m excited about what the summer holds for us having the number one pick, but not just that, but uh hopefully there’s some free agents out there that would, you know, want to come to Dallas, and we believe that we will be attractive this summer. How much, uh, how much postseason have you been watching? Postseason, playoffs. Yeah, a little. A little. Um, I love the physicality, um, of what what’s taking place with the league. You you have some old school scores in there. 92 to 87. It’s kind of like the San Antonio, New Jersey days uh in the finals. Um but I love the physicality. I love that the players are are making plays. Uh you guys talked about AC earlier uh guarding uh the Joker. Uh he’s a competitor. Uh when you talk about winning this time of the year, doing the little things and uh you can see that right now. You you guys obviously and and you were just talking about this uh you know, you’re committing to big ball. You’re committing to jumbo. uh you know, you’re talking about Cooper, a 68 kid, maybe playing the two. Uh this is very clearly the the top down direction and and you know, of the team right now of the way the roster is going. When you look at the the four teams in the conference finals, you know, now all all finalized, does that uh does that confirm or affirm, you know, this direction? Do you see uh these teams that are having success in the NBA playoffs? Do you see it coming from the bigs? you know, certainly some double bigs lineups out there. Is is that, you know, just like how how does the way you guys have built the roster, you know, how does that reflect or do you think it reflects in in the teams that are still alive? Yeah, I think when you look at uh stars, you got to have stars um and and length and u you have to be able to, you know, not just rely on one guy. And so, uh being able to have depth, uh your role players have to play star as as stars. And so we believe that our roster has that when you look at um PJ and the things that he has done for us since the trade uh Gaffford uh you know role players that play at extremely high level and so we truly believe uh that we are built to win a championship going forward and uh we’re excited about not just this summer but next season. I got to keep asking about Cooper because it’s been a week and I still cannot believe that the Mavericks of Dallas won the number one overall pick. finally moved up in the lottery. So, we know in the near future you you guys will have some time with him. Yes. Whether you visit him or he comes here, you already know everybody knows who you guys want to draft. What do you what do you hope to get out of those visits? What’s what’s a question that you would want to ask Cooper Flag when you have that chance? Well, I think it’s just about, you know, the sooner the better that we can get to know him and he gets to know us. um as much as we can bring him here to Dallas and we have 48 hours with him, we want to be able to ask him questions. We want to get to know uh not just him but his parents um to understand that the family is important to know and um he’s been raised by two incredible parents and so to be able to get to know them uh at lunch, at dinner, uh ask them about their son um as much as we’re going to talk to to Cooper or that kid from Duke, sorry. Um, you know, it’s just, um, the league’s not watching, don’t worry. Yeah, they’re watching for sure. Trust me, this is this is dealing with the maths. But I think when you talk about uh getting to know um the family, and that’s what, you know, hopefully we can get that that opportunity. We’ll have that opportunity uh in the coming uh weeks. You’ve been in his position. I mean, what do you remember about what it was like in 1994 when a team Okay, you went second overall, but a team drafts you expecting you to change the course of of the whole franchise. What is that like when you’re and and like you said, he’s two, three years younger than you? Yeah, I think it’s a dream come true. Uh remembering Norm Sanju and uh Keith Grant and Mr. and Mrs. C being able to meet the owners uh to be able to go to lunch and dinner. Um it’s just surreal because it’s a dream come true because you get to see these guys on TV. You get to work out with them and now uh to be part of the fraternity. Uh you know this is something that you dream about as a kid and for it to come true. Um you just can’t wait for your name to be called. I had to wait for Glenn Robinson and then hoping that uh I beat Grant. So uh I got lucky to be number two. But uh whoever is number one won’t have to waste any time because it’s going to be quick. Uh, so I’m excited uh for this young man to to have his dreams come true and then help him achieve those goals and that’s to be the best in the world. So, kind of a two-part question for you when it comes to not just the the future of this franchise, but also thinking about how the philosophy of the franchise has changed. Going to the kind of lineups that you have acquiring Anthony Davis, was there a point in time or something that shifted within the organization, whether it be from you or from Nico, that decided, hey, we need to switch the kind of direction that we want to go down in terms of being a championship team, and this is how we need to get there to do it. And for those who are still maybe frustrated about the trade or even in the euphoria of winning the lottery, what would you say to fans about how the direction of the franchise is going? What would your message be to them about? Yeah, I think I I can truly understand the the frustration or the hurt of the trade, right? Luca is one of the best in the world and uh he was here, he played at a high level and all of a sudden there is a change and so understanding the frustration. Uh but we have to move forward and uh there is a draft uh and there will be another season and we truly believe that we have the best fans and we would love for them to support us not just this summer but going forward and that we are trying to win a championship. We won one in 2011 and uh we plan on winning winning another one here shortly. Did you did you anticipate the fan reaction to be this though as as big as it was? Uh it was big. I mean like uh again I’ve always said this the fans have a right. Uh they pay money. They’re very supporters. We have the best fans in in the league if not in the world. Um and so understanding they express themselves. Um but I would hopefully ask them that can we move forward uh because we need their support uh to win a championship and uh again just understanding uh was it big? Uh yes. Uh but I think the championship the parade will be bigger and so that’s what we’re looking forward to. Shot creation. How big a concern is it right now? And obviously there’s the excitement of you win the lottery, you’ve got the number one pick, but you look at this roster and it’s it’s hard to see right now where that is going to come from. Yeah, I think you know causing a problem when you can get double teamed and that’s what we believe AD is one that will will cause a problem. Uh we believe like PJ is going to get better being able to uh knock down the three. uh being able to play faster. As much as we’re going to be bigger, can we play faster? Um taking advantage of that. And so I I think when you look at, you know, Clay, uh I thought, again, we didn’t bring him up. I thought he had an incredible season, not just on the floor, but in the locker room being a vet, um because there was so much speculation of him wanting not to be here, but he was nothing but a true pro. And so when you talk about creating shots, uh you can look at being different. uh because we are bigger and we’ll be able to create those double teams. Now, we just have to be consistent on being able to knock down, you know, wide open shots just like anybody else in this league. And sorry for keep bringing it back to the to the young man from Duke, but I can’t resist. You obviously have co Coach K didn’t coach him, but there’s a long-standing relationship between you and and Coach K. So, what kind of resource can that be? to kind of get the Duke files on him. Well, the Duke mafia, there’s a lot of people that I do know. So, Coach K being one of them, Grant Hill being another one. Grant Hill being another one. And also, uh, Coach Sh, I think being able to reach out and talk to him. Um, again, uh, understanding Coach K got to see the young man a lot. And so, just being able to, uh, pick his brain, ask questions, but also, you know, Grant Hill, there’s a lot of guys that have gone to Duke that I’ve become, uh, close to, and so hopefully they can give me some insight. Of course, you and Grant Hill will forever be tied together being co-orkers of the year back in 1994 95 during uh, that particular season. Of course, we’re joined by head coach Jason Kit here on the DLS MASS podcast. As we get ready to close here, you know, one of the words that you use to describe this season was incredible. Given everything that happened throughout the season, when you look back on this season, how will you remember it now that you’re looking forward to what is going to potentially happen on June 25th with the selection of the of the young man from Duke? How will you remember this season as you look back on it given everything you guys went through? Yeah, when I use the word incredible, I I just thought there was, you know, four or five seasons wrapped into one. Um when you talk about just the injuries uh the trade, the injuries, the injuries and so uh just understanding uh the fight uh there was no quit in that locker room. Um and so we learned a lot. Um we pushed forward. I know we used the word uh next man up and almost ran ran out of next man up. So just but I thought, you know, we’re we’re trying to to win and uh there is no quit. we’re going to fight uh to the end. And I I was very proud of uh those young men in that locker room and especially to my staff too for putting those guys in a position to be successful. Well, Jason, we appreciate your time here on the DLS mass podcast. We know that you have an extremely busy schedule, especially during this time of the year as you and your team prepare for the NBA draft and on June 25th. So, we appreciate you taking the time with us here in our DLS forcio to join us in the podcast. Need to say he insisted on coming in here. We offered him to do it remotely and he insisted on coming in. So I want I wanted to come in. I I got to see you guys up close. This is incredible. Thanks for having me. Jason, one one one final closing question. Roughly how many fitted hats do you own? Like distinct different Mavericks ones. Too many. Too many. Too many. Uh great question. But uh I that’s a 30 to 40. It’s got to be more than that. It feels like I’m going on the low. Got to get him a DLS hat. Man, those hat are sweet. Those hats are sweet. Or a t-shirt. Let me rock. We gonna hook you up. We gonna hook you up with with with some merch for sure. Don’t Don’t you worry about that. Jason, we appreciate the time, man. Thank you so much for joining us. Thank you, guys. Thanks for having

Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd joined the DLLS Mavs crew in studio to discuss the team miraculously winning the lottery and the right to presumably draft Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving’s recovery timeline, building around Anthony Davis and the two-big lineups, and how the team can win back fans who are still upset about the Luka Doncic trade.

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