It's been a while now since Jason Kidd was the Milwaukee Bucks' head tactician, and pretty soon, Giannis Antetokounmpo's era will also be a distant memory. But one interesting tidbit from recent reports is that the two former Bucks are still in touch, which speaks volumes about the bond they built through their time together in the 414.
“I would never say no to coaching, maybe somewhere down the future,” Kidd, who is in the Philippines at the moment for an NBA-related promotion, was quoted as telling local news site Rappler in an interview. “But right now, I'm just at home really trying to enjoy my family. And then also just watching the game and seeing if I can help others.”
Jason Kidd remains open to another coaching gig in the NBA
Though the relationship between Kidd and the Mavericks didn't end the way they would have hoped, with both parties agreeing to part ways in May, his coaching record speaks for itself as his five-season run peaked with an NBA Finals appearance before it ended.
While his last Bucks stint betrayed a newbie coach still growing into the role, Kidd was absolutely part of the foundation for the Giannis Antetokounmpo era in Milwaukee. His role in the Greek Freak's development into a superstar is well-documented, and he deserves all the credit for the work he put in for the franchise before it eventually won a championship under Mike Budenholzer.
So it's no surprise that for the former Dallas Mavericks head coach, "helping others" also includes keeping a close line of communication with the sport's marquee talent as they navigate massive career pivots. “Still from the coaching side, I'm always talking to Jalen Brunson and to Giannis [Antetokounmpo],” Kidd continued. “So just trying to help others now that I'm not coaching.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo is still looking to his past mentor for advice
Now, as the Greek Freak prepares to figure out a new chapter in the Eastern Conference, having a Hall of Fame mind like Kidd still in his corner offering informal mentorship speaks volumes. He'll need all the help he can get, too, considering expectations from fans and the media are at an all-time high at the moment. Kidd might be on a hiatus from an NBA bench, but his fingerprints across the league, and his guidance of former players like Giannis, aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
Having a Hall of Fame floor general who has already walked through the fire of massive expectations, someone who isn't trying to draw up plays for him anymore, but is still there to offer objective basketball insight, is a priceless safety net.
Ultimately, the former Milwaukee Bucks clearly still hold each other in high regard after their time together all those years ago. For all the talk about modern player movement breaking the traditional ties between icons and their original franchises, this ongoing mentorship proves that the human side of the league runs much deeper, and that the culture the Bucks built together all those years ago was real.
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