There is no one in a better position to understand the team’s chemistry and psychology than the team’s head coach. The Dallas Maverick head coach is no exception to the above fact. He once included Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in his top 5 best players in the league before the start of last month to show how he sees his players.
However, his recent comment on his team before the NBA in-season matchup against the LA Clippers has seen one of his players show the mindset of an elite player ahead of the clash.
Kyrie Irving’s reply after Mavs HC’s bold remark
After enjoying two winning streaks, the Dallas Mavericks faced a challenging night against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, ultimately losing by a significant margin of 127-116. Despite this setback, the Mavericks have surpassed expectations in the 2023-24 season, boasting a 6-2 record and positioning themselves as strong contenders.
Beyond the statistics, the overall performance left much to be desired, leading Jason Kidd to express his dissatisfaction in the locker room after the game. “Head coach Jason Kidd shared a blunt message with the team following the loss, a message that Kyrie Irving revealed,“ according to ESPN Tim MacMahon.
Kyrie Irving responded swiftly to Kidd’s blunt message, “When you have your head coach calling you soft, you got to take that personally and take that as a challenge,” Kyrie justified his decision by stating that he would follow the coach’s advice and return with greater strength in subsequent games.
In a candid assessment, Kidd labeled the Mavs as “soft.” This critique is expected to serve as a motivational challenge, prompting the team to adopt a more aggressive style of play going forward.
Jason Kidd, well-versed in the requirements for success in the NBA, emphasizes the need for readiness for a deep playoff run. Despite the aspirations for championship contention, surrendering 27 points to the Raptors raises concerns about the Mavs’ defensive capabilities, an aspect they must address and improve upon, particularly given past seasons’ defensive challenges.
Mavs vs Clippers preview
The Dallas Mavericks, with a 6-2 record, aim to recover from their loss to the Toronto Raptors as they host the Los Angeles Clippers at the American Airlines Center on Friday night. The game is part of the NBA mid-season tournament group play and will be broadcast at 7:30 pm CST on Bally Sports Southwest.
Toronto’s size posed challenges for Dallas, especially without their promising rookie Dereck Lively, sidelined due to a non-Covid illness. The Clippers bring a similar lineup of big wings, including Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, the duo responsible for eliminating Luka Doncic and the Mavs from the playoffs in consecutive years, now joined by Russell Westbrook and James Harden. The Clippers enter the game on a three-game losing streak, concluding a four-game road trip in Dallas. With luck, Dallas will have a full roster and can bounce back against the Clippers.
The Mavericks confirm Maxi Kleber will also be doubtful for the game due to a right small toe dislocation. On the Clippers’ side, big man Mason Plumlee is expected to be sidelined for up to two months with an MCL sprain, as reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania. However, with key injury worries to the Mavs team, it might be difficult for them to prove their head coach’s blunt message wrong tonight as they face the Clippers.
