Here’s a story that’ll make you rethink the coach-player dynamic: Giannis Antetokounmpo just delivered a playful yet pointed message to his former coach, Jason Kidd, and it’s sparking conversations across the NBA world. During the Milwaukee Bucks’ recent victory over the Dallas Mavericks, Giannis didn’t just hit a deep three-pointer—he hit it for Kidd, his former mentor, and then called him out for it. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was Kidd’s coaching style a blessing or a hindrance to Giannis’s development? Let’s dive in.
Giannis, now a dominant force in the league, reminisced about his early years under Kidd’s guidance. From 2014 to 2018, Kidd coached Giannis, shaping him into the all-around player he is today. However, Kidd’s approach had a catch: he discouraged Giannis from taking three-point shots, urging him instead to focus on facilitating, finding angles, and posting up. Fast forward to Monday’s game, and Giannis couldn’t resist a bit of playful revenge. After sinking a deep three late in the fourth quarter, he quipped, ‘That was for you, for all the torture you put me through.’ It was a lighthearted jab, but it raises a serious question: Did Kidd’s strategy slow down Giannis’s growth as a shooter?
And this is the part most people miss: While Giannis credits Kidd for his overall development, he also believes that limiting his three-point attempts early on may have delayed his progress in that area. ‘He helped me a lot, but I think he took away from my game when I was younger,’ Giannis admitted. This nuanced take highlights the delicate balance between coaching discipline and player freedom. Was Kidd’s approach too restrictive, or was it the tough love Giannis needed to become a well-rounded superstar?
On a more serious note, Giannis sees Kidd repeating history with Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, a high-IQ player with immense potential. ‘Kidd is okay,’ Giannis joked, drawing laughs from reporters, before adding, ‘He’s one of my mentors. I still talk to him to this day.’ Giannis believes Kidd’s influence will be just as transformative for Flagg, especially given Kidd’s ability to trust young players with the ball—a crucial factor in their development. ‘To have a coach that’s able to trust you with the ball down the stretch, it’s a plus,’ Giannis noted.
Kidd, for his part, acknowledges that his experience with Giannis has shaped his approach to coaching Flagg. ‘A lot of people disagreed [with my methods], but I think it turned out alright,’ Kidd reflected. He emphasized the importance of balancing present challenges with future growth, particularly highlighting Giannis’s unselfish passing and unique skillset as a 6-foot-11 player. ‘To be able to use that window as a weapon like he has, it makes him one of the best players in the world,’ Kidd said.
Here’s the controversial question: Did Jason Kidd’s coaching hold Giannis back, or was it the foundation for his success? And will history repeat itself with Cooper Flagg? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark differing opinions!
