New Orleans Pelicans: The Pros and Cons of Jason Kidd as Head Coach

New Orleans Pelicans: Pros and Cons of Jason Kidd: Lonzo Ball

The Lonzo Factor

One of Jason Kidd’s perceived strengths is player development, which is an area the Pelicans desperately need help, but is Kidd the guy to do it?

Pro: Jason Kidd was a big, pass first point guard who played tough defense and came into the league with a broken shot that eventually got much better. Sound familiar? I’ve often written that Lonzo Ball‘s ceiling as a player is basically Jason Kidd, a guy who is going to make everyone better, play elite defense against multiple positions and eventually be a knock down shooter. What better coach to maximize Lonzo’s talents than a guy who played just like him and is an all time great?

Con: If Kidd is hired, this offseason becomes all about Lonzo and that may not be a good thing. Lonzo struggled in the bubble and has taken some heat for his attitude, especially after rumors surfaced that he was checked out. These have not been great media days for Mr. Ball. Hiring Kidd just ensures that all of Lonzo’s failings will be repeated ad nauseam and Kidd will be viewed as the savior, the guy who can make Lonzo great. That’s not only a lot of pressure on both guys, but keeps Lonzo in the media. Maybe this would all motivate Lonzo, but maybe not.

Pro: Kidd gets a lot of credit for developing players in Milwaukee. Guys like Giannis, Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon all took big strides under Kidd and all gave him some amount of credit for it. Most of the guys who have ever played for Kidd liked him and had good things to say about him as a coach. The Pelicans are young and talented so they need someone who has a track record of developing players and getting the most of their talents.

Con: While Kidd has to be given some credit for having the foresight to ride with “Point Giannis,” Antetokounmpo has gotten A LOT better since Kidd left. He’s going to win back to back MVP’s, his team has the best record in the NBA and they are favorites to win a title. The team isn’t a whole lot different from when Kidd was there, but they sure are winning a lot more. Middleton became an All-Star after Kidd left, Giannis is now the best player in the league and the Bucks are markedly better post-Kidd. Are we sure he had anything to do with player development and that Giannis isn’t just really really good?

Personally, I hope Kidd is not the choice, as I want the New Orleans Pelicans to get a fresh voice with dynamic ideas, and not a retread who has failed and burned bridges everywhere he’s been.

Jason Kidd has some positive attributes, but the baggage outweighs them in my opinion. Kidd’s name is going to surface every time there are openings and he will eventually get a job, I just hope it’s not with the Pelicans.