LeBron James and Jason Kidd have a rich history as both teammates and opponents. Through it all, LBJ’s respect for Kidd has remained rock solid, and that respect was on full display after their latest encounter on the court.
After Kidd coached the Dallas Mavericks to a 134-128 win over James’ Lakers Sunday night, James was asked about similarities between himself and Mavs rookie Cooper Flagg. The four-time NBA champion expressed admiration for Flagg’s performance in his first year, then proceeded to take a shot at critics who have been slamming Kidd’s handling of the rookie.
“J-Kidd got a little scrutinized early on because they started him at PG at times. I thought that was unfair. I think it’s great to put the ball in somebody’s hands so they can just go through the rough patches; when you go through the rough patches it allows you to grow at a rate faster than other players.”
LeBron James attested that Jason Kidd’s approach works, stating that his first-ever head coach in the NBA used the same approach that Kidd has utilized with Flagg.
“That’s what Paul Silas, rest his soul, did for me. My rookie year, I basically stared at PG early on. He allowed me to mistakes and read tough defenses…So, I see similarities in that on the basketball floor.”
Indeed, James and Flagg appear to be cut from the same cloth, in that these former no. 1 picks have been hyped as generational talents who went on to display an uncanny versatility on the court.
LBJ’s career as a player is inching closer and closer to its finale, while Flagg is just getting started. It remains to be seen, however, if James will be interested in taking on the role of head coach like Kidd has done for the past several years.
“I Woke Up From My Nap and Was Like, S***”: LeBron James Opens Up on Reaction to Finding Out About Injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves
In the same media availability, LeBron James shared his reaction to finding out about the season-ending injuries to his teammates Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
“It was a shot to the heart and the chest and the mainframe with Luka…I woke up from my nap and saw that news [about Reaves’ injury] and was like, s***.”
All eyes will now be on James as the Lakers try to salvage their playoff hopes in the absence of Doncic and Reaves.
