Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd recently clarified his controversial remark regarding Jaylen Brown being the Boston Celtics’ best player during the NBA Finals.
Kidd’s comment, made during the height of the Finals, was seen by some as a slight against Jayson Tatum, who is generally regarded as the Celtics’ top player.
The comment sparked debate among fans and analysts, with many interpreting it as an attempt to create tension between the two Boston stars.
However, Kidd has since explained that his intention was not to undermine Tatum or sow discord within the Celtics’ locker room.
According to Kidd, his statement was purely based on Brown’s performance at that time, especially given his recognition as the Eastern Conference Finals MVP.
“He was playing the best, I think, at the time,” Kidd stated, emphasizing that his comment reflected Brown’s level of play during the Finals.
Kidd also noted that Brown’s recognition as the Eastern Conference Finals MVP and his eventual Finals MVP award supported his observation.
Some took Kidd’s words as an attempt to start a rivalry between Tatum and Brown, but Kidd was quick to dismiss this notion.
“I was just making a comment that Jaylen is playing at a high level,” Kidd said, adding that it wasn’t an effort to create any discord within the Celtics’ team.
Kidd pointed out that his comment had been misinterpreted by the media, which fueled speculation about a potential rift between the Celtics’ stars.
He reiterated that his statement was purely based on Brown’s performance and not intended to undermine Tatum.
“Some took it as I was trying to start something, but I wasn’t,” Kidd said, defending his original assessment.
Kidd acknowledged that while his comment may have been controversial, it was rooted in the reality of Brown’s standout play during the Finals.
