Difference-makers: We cannot ignore Jason Kidd’s locker room loyalty and the power of trust anymore

Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd has the trust of his team, and the results of that are evident in two deep playoff runs in three seasons. 

No matter what happens, coach Jason Kidd never seems to lose trust from the Dallas Mavericks locker room. During losing streaks, criticism, questionable rotations and what is often construed as too little engagement on the sidelines, Kidd has remained in control of the locker room.

His players stand behind him even when others may not – and that is one of the most valuable traits of a head coach.

Others can take care of offensive plays and defensive schemes, assistants can draw up plays, but trust, leadership and vibes are intangible, but just as important, aspects of coaching. Unreachable for some, impossible for many. And in order to create a winning team, you have to have the trust of the players no matter what. Over the last three years in Dallas that’s exactly what Jason Kidd has done.

Hands in pockets, Kidd seems to use long periods of time during the season, and especially the time before Christmas, for testing line-ups, rotations, schemes and chemistry. This has often led fans and pundits to conclude that he makes questionable decisions most of the time.

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

But with two deep playoff runs in three years, it’s become clear that the lessons from the beginning of the season are used for optimizations when it really counts: after Christmas and the All-Star break into the playoffs.

The complaints of a no-engagement coach slowly disappear come playoff time and Kidd becomes animated, locked-in and shows his unique understanding of the game.

There is a point to be made, however, that this strategy may not work as well this year. It would benefit the team, even more than previously, to start this season better, because the Western Conference is so competitive. Dallas doesn’t have the luxury of too much testing in-game anymore. They have to get every win they can.

The impact of Kidd on this team becomes clear pretty much every time a player is asked about him. They tend to highlight the experience that Kidd has as a player and what that means for them in terms of respect. He knows the pressure, the mental aspect of the game and he understands the power of connectedness. We shouldn’t underestimate how much his reputation as a player’s coach carries real weight with these guys.

As Luka Doncic said during the playoffs: “He understands me and Kyrie’s role because he’s been in that role, so he helps us a lot.”

“He kept everybody together… It was ups and downs all the time, but he kept us together.”

And Kyrie Irving, who’s looked up to Jason Kidd since he was 9 years old, talked about his positive influence on him not long after coming to Dallas:

“We want to enjoy what we’re doing here every day and he just brings a natural ease. His energy is easy going, he’s going to hold you accountable. He’s brutally honest, which I appreciate. He’s gotta be your guy, to have that loyalty.”

Another example is Jason Kidd coming to Luka Doncic’s defense during the NBA Finals last season. Luka had received a lot of criticism for his behavior during a game where he received a technical, and Kidd said in a press conference afterwards that he felt a lot of the media criticism was starting to feel personal and had gone too far.

Subsequently, Luka was asked what it meant to him to have a coach who comes to his defense: “That speaks a lot about him,” Luka said. “He always has his players’ backs.”

Going down the list, all Mavs players seem to have good things to say about Kidd. Here’s Dereck Lively II during the playoffs:

“He’s been one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. He’s put me in positions where he’s expecting me to fail, and even if I fail, he’s gonna leave me in there to learn… Being able to have a coach like that who’s gonna make the players speak, and then say what he thinks, it’s an amazing process…There’s been a lot of criticism on him, but I don’t understand why. I feel like he’s an amazing coach and an amazing person.”

Difference-makers don’t just follow the mold of their role. They take chances, try new things, fail and learn from it. Kidd’s previous coaching tenures have not always been successful, and many of his decisions in Dallas have been criticized along the way. But you cannot argue with results, and even more importantly, you cannot argue with the value of having the trust of the locker room.

Kidd’s approach may be a little unorthodox, but getting the unconditional trust of superstars and role players alike is rare. And balancing the arrival of a controversial superstar with the team as a whole, making him feel valued and helping him find his place in Dallas the way Kidd has done with Kyrie, has been really impressive to witness. The way he has dealt with this situation shows a lot about how human connection matters in basketball, and it speaks volumes on Kidd’s ability to connect with people.

There should always be room to criticize a regime or a head coach if you disagree with them, but it’s time to put the skepticism aside. Jason Kidd has made a difference to this team, and that’s not really up for discussion anymore.

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