Imagine a young basketball prodigy being told to hold back on one of the most thrilling shots in the game. Sounds counterintuitive, right? But that’s exactly what happened to Giannis Antetokounmpo under the guidance of his then-coach, Jason Kidd. Fast forward to a recent Bucks vs. Mavericks game, and Giannis had a playful yet pointed message for Kidd after sinking a deep three-pointer late in the fourth quarter. This wasn’t just any shot—it was a symbolic moment, a nod to their shared history and a subtle jab at Kidd’s earlier coaching advice.
And this is the part most people miss: Kidd, who coached Giannis from 2014 to 2018, played a pivotal role in shaping him into the all-around superstar he is today. However, Giannis revealed that Kidd’s early emphasis on avoiding three-pointers slowed his development in that area. “That was for him,” Giannis said post-game, referring to the three-pointer. “When I was younger, he told me not to shoot threes. I was like 19, 20… 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.’”
But here’s where it gets controversial: While Giannis acknowledges Kidd’s mentorship and its long-term benefits, he also hints at a missed opportunity in his early career. This raises a thought-provoking question: Should coaches prioritize a player’s immediate strengths, or should they allow room for experimentation, even if it means slower progress?
On a lighter note, Giannis believes Kidd will have a similar transformative impact on Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, whom he describes as a high-IQ player with immense potential. “Kidd is okay,” Giannis joked, drawing laughs from reporters. “He helped me a lot. One of my mentors, still talk to him to this day… Just being able to have a guy like that next to you, it’s a blessing.”
Giannis also highlighted the importance of a coach’s trust in a young player’s development. “Obviously [Flagg] has a great coach that will give him the opportunity to have the ball in his hands… to have a coach that’s able to trust you with the ball down the stretch, it’s a plus,” he added.
Kidd, for his part, reflected on his time with Giannis and how it’s influencing his approach with Flagg. “I think definitely going through it with Giannis, a lot of people disagreed, but I think it turned out alright,” Kidd said. He emphasized Giannis’s unselfishness and unique skillset, particularly his passing ability and court vision at 6-foot-11, which set him apart as one of the world’s best players.
Here’s the bigger question for you: Is Kidd’s method of molding players through restriction and redirection genius, or does it risk stifling their natural growth? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—agree or disagree, this debate is far from settled.
