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Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd sparked outrage when asked about his use of No. 1 player Cooper Flagg following Saturday night’s 111-107 loss to the Houston Rockets.
Some insults were thrown out during the process.
Throughout the season, Flagg, Duke’s first consensus pick when the Mavericks won the NBA Draft Lottery, has been used as a point guard in Kidd’s scheme instead of a forward. Flagg, who stands at 6-foot-9, has the chops to run the offense, but many believe his natural position is forward.
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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 Jan. 22, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
When asked about the criticism Kidd has received from those who believe he is using Flag incorrectly, he did not hold back.
“I don’t give a s— about criticism. Criticism? That’s your opinion. You write that bulls–,” Kidd said during his postgame press conference. “It’s not – I did this. I played this game. I played it at the highest 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 AS THE VERICKS FALL TO THE JAZZ
Kidd has also coached long since his playing days, leading the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks as head coach before taking over the Mavericks, the team he played for eight of his 19 years, ahead of the 2021-22 season.
Given his history in the NBA, Kidd knows that criticism can come from all sides, but he continued to insult the media in his postgame remarks.
“I don’t give a f— what you guys write,” he said. “Because you’ve never played the game. So, I make players. So, I know what the f— I’m doing. So, criticism, makes me better. Because if I wasn’t doing it right, you guys wouldn’t be picking holes in what I did.”
Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks leaves the court following a game against the Indiana Pacers at the American Airlines Center on Oct. 29, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Kidd refused to answer any questions afterward, heading back to the locker room after the tough loss.
Flagg struggled to start his NBA career, though he seems to be getting used to it now. He averaged 19.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in his first 45 games with the Mavericks this season, setting himself up for possible Rookie of the Year recognition.
But, except for a recent performance 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.
Injuries have plagued the Mavericks, especially Kyrie Irving, the team’s regular point guard who is still recovering from a torn ACL. Kidd had to use Flagg and D’Angelo Russell instead as they hoped Irving could 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 Jan. 24, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
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Anthony Davis, a big part of the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade with 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 moving forward, with Kidd clearly believing he’s doing the right thing with the new face of the franchise.
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