NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd sparked some outrage when asked about his usage of No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg after a 111-107 loss to the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.
Some explosives were thrown in the process.
Throughout the season, Flagg, the Duke standout who was the consensus top pick when the Mavericks won the NBA Draft Lottery, has been used as a point guard in Kidd’s system rather than a forward. Standing at 6-foot-9, Flagg has the handles to run the offense, but many believe his natural position is forward.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Head coach Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the second half against the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center on January 22, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
When asked about the criticism Kidd has received from those who believe he uses Flagg incorrectly, he didn’t hold back.
“I don’t give a s—- about the criticism. Criticism? That’s your opinion. You write that bull-,” Kidd said during his postgame press conference. “It’s not – I’ve done this. I’ve played this game. I’ve played it at a very high level. I know what the f— I’m doing.”
A 10-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA point guard, Kidd is a Hall of Famer who needs no introduction in basketball circles.
COOPER FLAGG MAKES NBA HISTORY WHEN MAVERICS GET TO JAZZ
Kidd has also coached for a while since his playing days, leading the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks in a head coaching role before taking over the Mavericks, the team he played eight of his 19 years with, before the 2021-22 season.
Given his history in the NBA, Kidd knows criticism can come from all angles, but he continued to bash the media in his post-game tirade.
“I don’t care what you write,” he said. “Because you’ve never played the game. And then I build players. So I know what the f— I’m doing. So to take the criticism, it only makes me better. Because if I didn’t do it right, you wouldn’t poke holes in what I’ve done.”
Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks leaves the court after a game against the Indiana Pacers at the American Airlines Center on October 29, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Kidd refused to answer questions after that and stormed back to the locker room after the tough loss.
Flagg struggled to begin his NBA career, though he seems acclimated now. He’s averaging 19.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in his first 45 games with the Mavericks this season, setting him up for possible Rookie of the Year honors.
But despite recent performances of 49 points and a 34-point, 12-rebound double-double, the Mavericks have lost four straight games. Dallas is currently 11th in the Western Conference with a 19-30 record.
However, injuries have plagued the Mavericks, especially to Kyrie Irving, the team’s usual starting point guard, who is still recovering from a torn ACL. Kidd has had to use Flagg and D’Angelo Russell at the position as they hope Irving can return this season.
Head coach Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the third quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the American Airlines Center on January 24, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Anthony Davis, the biggest part of the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade to the Los Angeles Lakers last season, has also been sidelined by multiple injuries this season.
Flagg’s development will continue to have a microscope on it going forward, with Kidd clearly believing he is doing the right thing by the new face of the franchise.
