Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd did not hold back following Saturday night’s loss to the Houston Rockets, delivering an emotional response to both media criticism and officiating.
Kidd cut off a reporter mid-question about Cooper Flagg being used at point guard, immediately addressing the backlash surrounding that decision.
“I don’t give a f— about the criticism,” he said. “The criticism, that’s your opinion. You guys write that bulls—. I’ve done this. I’ve played this game. I’ve played it at a very high level, and I know what the f— I’m doing.”
Kidd continued by making it clear that outside opinions, particularly from the media, do not influence how he coaches. He emphasized his playing background and experience developing players as the foundation for his confidence.
“I don’t give a f— what you guys write,” the coach said. “Because you guys have never played the game before. I have built players. I know what the f— I’m doing. To take criticism, it only makes me better. Because if I wasn’t doing it right, you guys wouldn’t be poking holes at what I’ve done.”
The Mavericks coach also directed his frustration toward the officiating, saying he believed multiple calls were missed throughout the game, including a key moment late on a drive by Flagg.
Kidd specifically called out the referee crew for what he viewed as a poor performance.
“I saw a foul,” Kidd said. “(Referees) Sean (Wright), Jason (Goldenberg) and Simone (Jelks) were awful tonight. That was unacceptable. It’s a foul. Now, does he make both? That’s up to the players. But the referees did not do their job tonight.”
Jason Kidd Rips Criticism Of Playing Cooper Flagg At Point Guard, Officiating https://t.co/UF47gYhPe1
— RealGM (@RealGM) February 1, 2026
