Jason Kidd explodes with profanity defending Cooper Flagg usage decisions
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Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd unleashed his anger when asked about using No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg following Saturday night’s 111-107 loss to the Houston Rockets.
Some swearing was thrown during this process.
Throughout the season, Flagg, the Duke standout who was the consensus top pick when the Mavericks won the NBA Draft Lottery, was used as a point guard rather than a forward in Kidd’s system. At 6-foot-4, Flagg has the strength to run the offense, but many believe his natural position is forward.
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Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd watches the second half against the Golden State Warriors at American Airlines Center on January 22, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
He didn’t hold back when asked about the criticism he received from those who believed Kidd misused Flagg.
“I don’t care about criticism. Criticism? It’s your opinion. You write it down as nonsense,” Kidd said. post-match press conference. “Not this – I did this. I played this game. I played this at a very high level. I know what the hell I’m doing.”
A 10-time All-Star and 6-time All-NBA point guard, Kidd is a Hall of Famer who needs no introduction in basketball circles.
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Kidd has also been a longtime coach since his playing days, serving as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks before taking over the Mavericks, a team he played for for 19 years, ahead of the 2021-22 season.
Given his history in the NBA, Kidd knows criticism can come from any angle, but he continued to lash out at the media after the game.
“I don’t care what you write,” he said. “Because you’ve never played the game. I train players, too. I mean, I know what the hell I’m doing. I mean, taking criticism makes me better. Because if I didn’t do it right, you guys wouldn’t be putting holes in what I’m doing.”
Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks leaves the court after the game against the Indiana Pacers at American Airlines Center on October 29, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Kidd refused to answer any questions after that and returned to the locker room after the tough defeat.
Flagg had a hard time starting his NBA career, although he seems to have settled in now. He is preparing for the Rookie of the Year award by averaging 19.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in his first 45 games with the Mavericks this season.
However, despite his 49 points and 34 points, 12 rebounds double-double performance in the last period, the Mavericks lost four games in a row. Dallas currently sits 11th in the Western Conference with a 19-30 record.
But injuries have plagued the Mavericks, especially to Kyrie Irving, the team’s usual starting point guard who is still recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Kidd had to use Flagg and D’Angelo Russell at the position because he hoped Irving could return this season.
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd watches during the third quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center on January 24, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
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Anthony Davis, who was the biggest part of Luka Doncic’s blockbuster trade to the Los Angeles Lakers last season, has also been away from the field this season due to numerous injuries.
Flagg’s development will continue to be kept under the microscope as he moves forward, and Kidd clearly believes he’s doing the right thing with the new face of the franchise.
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