Jason Kidd is one of the more interesting personalities in the NBA. Since he was drafted back in 1994, Kidd has left a trail of fractured relationships and questionable self-serving decisions. From the Mavs to the Suns to the Nets back to the Mavs and then again back to the Nets, Kidd has rarely left a situation without causing some sort of resentment.
This was even more evident when Kidd forced his way out of Brooklyn, using a failed power-play in which he tried to get more power than GM Billy King as ammo, and parlaying that into the head coaching position in Milwaukee. And even his transition to Milwaukee was littered with issues as then-head coach Larry Drew and the Bucks front-office had no idea Kidd was even a candidate until the last minute.
In no way does that make excuses for the Nets and now the Bucks, who both knew exactly what they were getting into when they engaged Kidd.
It’s just that everything with Kidd just seems to come off as a bit disingenuous. So it’s no surprise that his letter to the Milwaukee Bucks fans was a bit, well, awkward.
“Dear Milwaukee,
Words cannot express how excited I am to join the Milwaukee Bucks as head coach, and how appreciative I am for the incredible opportunity to lead this young team. My family and I are looking forward to making Milwaukee our home, and we’re eager to get to know as many of you as we can along the way. Likewise, I look forward to you getting to know me and my family over the coming years as the Bucks grow and develop into a team that will make this community proud.
Over the past couple days, I’ve been asked: “Why Milwaukee?” My answer is simple: there is no place I’d rather be. Over my twenty years in the NBA as a player and coach, I have always been impressed with the level of support that Bucks fans have given this team, in good times and bad. With a talented young roster, new owners that are passionate about being successful in Milwaukee, and a great fan base, we have the makings of something special here and I’m proud to be leading this new era of Bucks basketball.
From the moment that Marc Lasry and Wes Edens purchased this franchise, they have clearly and repeatedly stated their singular focus — to return championship-caliber basketball to Wisconsin.
I am humbled by the trust they have put in me, and the opportunity they have given me to help turn that dream into reality.
Go Bucks Go,
Jason Kidd”
I mean, it’s tough to read that without rolling your eyes a couple of times. The reality of the situation is much more Kidd realized the Nets were old and the Bucks suddenly had a young and talented roster, than Kidd loves the winters out in Wisconsin. But then again, what would you expect from a guy who seriously thought this would work in the middle of an NBA game.
With stud rookie Jabari Parker and the Greek Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Bucks roster, here’s hoping they don’t pick up any bad habits from their new head coach.