Jason Kidd is no longer the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and the news of his firing made waves around the NBA on Monday afternoon. While there are justified criticisms of Kidd as a tactician (especially on the defensive end), it was certainly a surprise to see the head coach of a playoff-bound team sent packing in January. Apparently, Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was taken back by the move.
First, word broke from Chris Haynes of ESPN that the All-Star forward was “devastated” by the move and, later, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN brought word that Antetokounmpo actually approached Kidd via phone right before he was canned and offered to help save his position on the bench.
Jason Kidd tells ESPN that Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo called him about 15 minutes before Kidd was officially notified he'd been fired by the Bucks and offered to help save his job.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 23, 2018
However, Kidd appeared resigned to his fate, indicating that there was nothing that his superstar could do the stop the inevitable.
Kidd says Antetokounmpo replied, "'What can I do? I'll call the owners, I'll call my agent."
Kidd said he told him, "There's nothing you can do. All you can do is tell the truth. That's it."
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 23, 2018
It seems quite clear, though, that Kidd and Antetokounmpo had a kinship and the now-former head coach expressed that accordingly.
Kidd said he thanked Antetokounmpo for his loyalty and that he was "thankful to be able to coach him."
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 23, 2018
While Antetokounmpo was likely not alone in his sentiment, it should be noted that buzz exists that fellow standout forward Jabari Parker and Kidd were not on speaking terms prior to the firing taking place. Still, it is definitely unusual for a team’s No. 1 option (and a clear one in the case of Antetokounmpo) to lack veto power in a situation like this and that is doubly the case for an in-season firing without the stench of real failure on the horizon.
Jason Kidd won’t be coming back to Milwaukee but, if it was up to Giannis Antetokounmpo, the decision to part ways with the Hall of Fame guard never would have happened.
