Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a playful jab at his former coach, Jason Kidd, after sinking a long-range three-pointer against the Dallas Mavericks. This moment wasn't just about the shot; it was a playful nod to the past, a story of mentorship, and a testament to growth.
Antetokounmpo, during the Bucks' victory over the Mavericks, playfully targeted his former coach, Jason Kidd. Kidd, who coached Giannis from his second NBA season in 2014 until 2018, played a crucial role in shaping Antetokounmpo into one of the league's elite players.
During Giannis's formative years, Kidd encouraged him to limit his three-point attempts, focusing instead on developing a more well-rounded game. But here's where it gets controversial... On Monday, Antetokounmpo playfully used Kidd's past advice against him, hitting a deep three-pointer late in the fourth quarter. It was one of only two three-point attempts he made that night.
"That was for him," Antetokounmpo said with a grin. "When I was younger, he told me not to shoot threes. I was like 19, 20, he told me not to shoot threes. Figure out a way to find angles and facilitate for your teammates, post up. He helped me a lot, but I think he took away from my game when I was younger because I wasn’t able to develop that as fast as I would. So when I made it, I said ‘That’s for you, for all the torture you put me through.’"
And this is the part most people miss... This playful exchange highlights the unique bond between a player and his coach, a relationship built on both guidance and friendly competition.
On a more serious note, Antetokounmpo believes Kidd will have a similar positive impact on young Mavericks rookie guard Cooper Flagg, whom he describes as a high-IQ player with significant potential.
"Kidd is okay," he joked, prompting laughter from reporters. "He helped me a lot. One of my mentors, still talk to him to this day... Just to look out for me and tell me, this is what you gotta look out for, this is how you got to work in order for you to be great, this is how you gotta think about if you want to carry a team. I think it’s big. Just being able to have a guy like that next to you, it’s a blessing. You saw what he was able to do with (guard) Luka (Dončić)... I think it’s gonna be the same with Cooper. It was the same for me."
Antetokounmpo also added, "Obviously (Flagg) has a great coach that will give him the opportunity to have the ball in his hands because that’s very important in our league, especially when you’re young.... to have a coach that’s able to trust you with the ball down the stretch or trust you... it’s a plus."
Kidd himself acknowledged the influence of his time with Antetokounmpo on his approach to developing Flagg. "I think definitely, going through it with Giannis, a lot of people disagreed, but I think it turned out alright. You’re in the moment, but also you gotta push to see what’s coming in the future... (Giannis's) skillset of his passing, he was always one that was unselfish. The windows that he has at 6-foot-11, it’s like no other. To be able use that window as a weapon like he has, it makes him one of the best players in the world."
What do you think? Did Kidd's initial advice hinder Giannis's development, or was it a necessary step in shaping him into the player he is today? Do you agree that Kidd can have a similar positive impact on Cooper Flagg? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
