The Dallas Mavericks have an incredible opportunity during the 2024 NBA Finals. The Mavs could win their second franchise title in their matchup with the Boston Celtics. Head coach Jason Kidd understands the caliber of competition Dallas is facing. Kidd went viral after giving Jaylen Brown high praise following Game 1's loss. He set the record straight on his take before Game 3.
Jason Kidd called Jaylen Brown Boston's “best player” for his tremendous Game 1 effort.
“Just looking at what he does defensively, he picked up Luka (Doncic) full court. He got to the free throw line. He did everything. And that's what your best player does… He plays both sides, defense and offense at a high rate. He's been doing that the whole playoffs. When you talk about the Eastern Conference MVP and it seems like he's continued to pick up where he left off. So he's playing at a high rate,” Kidd explained via NBA TV.
The Mavs head coach was sincere with his praise. However, he did not intend for the comments to be taken to the extreme.
“I thought my comment about Jaylen Brown is from watching tape & from watching Game 1. Again, he was the best player… Everybody thought it was mental warfare… That was just my opinion,” Kidd revealed on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
Brown scored a team-high 22 points along with six rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. His two-way attack was highly disruptive to the Mavericks' game plan. Brown came up big again in Game 2 with 21 points, seven assists, and three steals. Jason Kidd and Dallas will have to a find way to slow him and the rest of Boston's contributors down for Game 3.
Mavericks look to turn things around after slow NBA Finals start
Most of Dallas' attack runs through Luka Doncic. Doncic has scored 30 points or more in the first two games of the Celtics series. However, his team has struggled to follow suit. Doncic gave a blunt message to the Mavs ahead of their Game 3 matchup.
“Just one thing, just keep shooting,” Doncic said on Tuesday, per ClutchPoints' Dallas Mavericks Reporter Joey Mistretta.
“We all believe in those shots,” Doncic continued. “That's how we came to the Finals. And that's how we played the whole season. We believe in those guys. Everybody believes. If you're open, just keep shooting. You're gonna knock them down at some point.”
Doncic emphasized that Dallas must stay confident amid their long-range shooting struggles. A big part of the Mavs' slump is likely due to Boston's hounding defense. The Celtics possess two All-Defensive guards in Jrue Holiday and Derrick White. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are superb defenders as well. Yet, with the right strategy and execution, Dallas can overcome Boston's resistance.
Kyrie Irving sent one final encouraging message to the Mavericks on Tuesday. He emphasized that team effort will continue to be vital in their attempt to rally the series.
“We've gotten this far because we've been a great team. Not because we've put it on just me and Luka. It's been a total team effort, total organizational effort to get this far. We just gotta keep trusting in that. So pretty simple conversation,” Irving said.
Irving, Doncic, and the Mavs look to gain momentum in a pivotal Game 3 NBA Finals matchup at home on Wednesday.
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