Mavs coach Jason Kidd on Luka Dončić: ‘Give my man a break. Let him play the game’

DALLAS — Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd mounted an impassioned defense of Dallas superstar Luka Dončić before Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals, following two days of criticism of the MVP finalist’s defensive effort and on-court temperament after he fouled out with 4:12 remaining in the Mavericks’ Game 3 loss to the Celtics.

During his pregame session with reporters Friday, Kidd was asked about what it’s been like to watch Dončić navigate everything he’s had to deal with in this series — the massive offensive workload he has to shoulder against the Celtics’ swarming defense, the constant targeting by a Boston offense intent on exploiting his defensive shortcomings, and myriad injuries, including a thoracic contusion for which he reportedly received a pain-killing injection before Game 2. Dončić said during an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews on Thursday that he expected he’d need another before a Game 4 in which he and his fellow Mavericks will hope to stave off elimination.

Kidd declined comment on Dončić’s physical health: “I don’t get involved with the medical; I just repeat ‘questionable,’ or ‘probable,’ or whatever he’s [listed as]. So that’s between medical and the player.” But he did comment on what he sees as unfair sideswipes of his lead playmaker.

“Luka has been incredible up to this point and has still been incredible,” Kidd said. “For whatever reason, there has been some personal attacks on him, but he will learn from them. And he will be better when he comes back from it.”

Mavericks guard Luka Dončić heads to the locker room after Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Dallas. The Celtics won 106-99. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)

Asked later if there was a specific personal attack that bothered him, Kidd raised his frustration at the notion that a 25-year-old product — even one as decorated and celebrated as Dončić — should be not only finished, but flawless.

“I think, when you look at today’s athlete, the game of sport is not to be perfect — it’s just, you know, to win,” Kidd said. “And when you look at…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-06-14 23:49:18

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