Jason Kidd may be pulling some tricks out of Phil Jackson’s “Zen Master” playbook following the Mavs’ Game 1 Finals loss.
Speaking to the media ahead of Sunday’s matchup, Kidd was asked about the challenge of defending Celtics guard Jaylen Brown. To which the coach replied that Brown is the the team’s best player rather than Jayson Tatum — potentially aiming to cause a divide between the two co-stars.
Well, Jaylen’s their best player. Looking at what he does defensively — picked up Luka full-court… got to the free throw line… He did everything. That’s what your best player does. He plays both sides, defense and offense, at a high rate and he’s been doing that the whole playoffs.
Fans quickly came to the conclusion that the Dallas coach was trying to play mind games with the Boston tandem.
“Would imagine this is a little bit of gamesmanship on Kidd’s end to say this in the middle of the Finals series, even if he believes it,” Noa Dalzell commented. “In any case, room full of pretty stunned reporters after Kidd dropped that line.”
“I know EXACTLY what he trying to do with this. I don’t knock it though. It’s the Finals. He will have his team prepared better for Game 2. It’ll be a close one,” a user said.
“Divide and conquer, coach. I see the vision.”
“This is an INCREDIBLE thing to say in the middle of an NBA Finals series. I absolutely love it,” another person tweeted. “Jason Kidd trying to throw a bomb into that Celtics locker room.”
Jason Kidd was asked what makes going up against Jaylen Brown so challenging:
“Well, Jaylen’s their best player.” pic.twitter.com/iIYbXgZw1m
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzellNBA) June 8, 2024
Will it be enough to even up the series 1-1?
Game 2 of the NBA Finals is set for Sunday night.