Before he took over the Dallas Mavericks’ coaching staff and guiding them to the NBA Finals, former All-Star Jason Kidd spent years with the Milwaukee Bucks as the head coach. Now, as the former All-Star point guard is about to set foot on the biggest stage of them all, he shares a lesson from his failed coaching stint with the team.

Jun 5, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd during the NBA Finals Media Day at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

In a controversial move, the Bucks acquired Kidd as their head coach from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for two second-round draft picks in 2014. Under Kidd’s leadership, the Bucks became one of the biggest surprises of the 2014-15 season. Despite losing key players to injury and trades, the young team improved from a franchise-worst 15 wins to a 41-41 record and secured the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Dec 23, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd reacts during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The 2015-16 season was less successful, as the Bucks finished with a 33-49 record and missed the playoffs. Kidd underwent hip surgery in December 2015 and took a leave of absence, with his assistant Joe Prunty serving as interim coach. On a positive note, Kidd innovatively moved All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo to the point guard position, leading to his impressive performance.

In the following season, Kidd guided the Bucks to a winning record and a playoff berth for the second time in three years, despite facing injuries to key players. However, they lost in the first round to the Toronto Raptors. On January 22, 2018, the Bucks fired Kidd midway through the 2017-18 season, with a 23-22 record.

The Lesson Jason Kidd Learned From His Milwaukee Bucks Coaching Stint

Apr 3, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd looks on during the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Years after his stint in Milwaukee, Kidd now has a chance to solidify his reputation as one of the best coaches in NBA history by potentially winning the NBA Finals. In an article by Marc Spears for Andscape, the former point guard opens up about what he learned as the Bucks coach.

“Coaching is not easy in this industry,” Kidd told Andscape. “There is always movement. There are only certain coaches who are cemented in their place — well-deserved, with Pop [Gregg Popovich], Spo [Erik Spoelstra].

After that, there has been a lot of movement. You just hope that you can win and do the right thing for as long as you can … “The thing about being let go or fired was I wasn’t up to their standards. So, that’s how I thought about it. Then I thought what is the best way to get better,” Spears wrote.

This season, Kidd led the Doncic and the Mavericks to a record of 50 wins and 32 losses. All in all, his three-season record in Dallas is now at 140-106.
May 30, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd during the second quarter in game five of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
It remains to be seen whether Kidd can win the big one or not. In any case, he’s about to prove himself in the biggest stage of them all soon.

May 30, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd at a press conference after winning the Western Conference Championship against the Minnesota Timberwolves in game five of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

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