Game 50: Dallas Mavericks (19-29) @ Houston Rockets (29-17)

[SkenfromLMF]

Setting aside that your paraphrasing of the criticism doesn't do it justice and simply focusing on what Kidd said and why, it DOES bother me. That was a completely unprofessional way to lose his cool, and after such an innocuous question that it seems pretty clear he was either reacting to some other stress he brought with him into the press conference or just had a chip on his shoulder about whomever was asking. Either way, it bothers me. So stupid to throw language like that around needlessly and casually, and all from a "role model." The position of Head Coach of an NBA team comes with a visibility that extends beyond the basketball court, and I think the idea that we don't expect more from him speaks to where we are as a society.

I think context is the key here. Kidd was asked a question about the end of game calls and responded in a manner that is going to cost him money... Nobody seems to have a problem with that here. He then gets asked a question that frustrated him even further in regards to how Cooper responded to his early season process that is obviously paying dividends. I am not a huge Kidd defender, and wish we still had Rick Carlisle. BUT Kidd has definitely done some things that Rick would not have been successful in trying to implement. I think Kidd is in on the tank and has handled the commander nuance better than could be hoped for... he is also not publicly acknowledging the tank and is showing a competitiveness that is sympathetic to his players frustrations while also helping the long-term franchise outlook.

Sometimes you need an outlet for those emotions and at least he did not go Bobby Knight, Greg Popovich or Bill Belichek his way. I supposed suppose he should have RBWS his way through it and repeated that both teams played hard, or just gone Beast Mode. I feel like that day is coming after the fines are levied.

All that said, he could have been worse... much worse.