Mavericks to miss sidelined coaches Kidd, Kerr
Coincidentally, the Dallas Mavericks’ two home games this week are against the only teams in the NBA without their head coach.
On Monday the Mavs hosted the Milwaukee Bucks, who are without Jason Kidd. On Wednesday the Mavs entertain the Golden State Warriors, who are without Steve Kerr.
Joe Prunty has been coaching the Bucks in place of Kidd, while Luke Walton has been coaching the Warriors for Kerr.
Kidd underwent right hip replacement surgery on Dec. 21, while Kerr has missed this entire season. Kerr endured some back pain during the off-season and has since undergone two surgeries, including one to address a spinal fluid leak.
Kidd played for the Mavs from 1994-96 and 2008-12. He said the rigors of a 19-year career contributed to him developing a bad hip.
“In J-Kdd’s case, I witnessed a lot of his career,” Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. “I understand why he’s out right now.
“He has a lot of wear and tear on that body — he hit the floor a lot. The hips only last so long.”
Carlisle said he sent Kidd a text after his surgery.
“I know he’s feeling a lot better since he had surgery,” Carlisle said. “People do extremely well with hips these days. Recovery is not going to be an issue there. It’s getting out of pain.”
Carlisle raved about Kidd and said he will be remembered as one of the greats.
In J-Kdd’s case, I witnessed a lot of his career. I understand why he’s out right now. He has a lot of wear and tear on that body — he hit the floor a lot. The hips only last so long.
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle on Jason Kidd
“That’s one of the real great competitors in sports history,” Carlisle said. “That’s no opinion — that’s fact.
“You look at everything that he’s accomplished in the last two decades in the game, it’s amazing, really. Those of us that got to know him closely as a competitor know how much he puts into each game just in terms of the mental preparation, and then the physical wherewithal.”
Pachulia payoff
Teams don’t go around boasting about whether they got the better end of a trade. But it’s obvious that the Mavs benefited the most from the one involving Zaza Pachulia.
The Mavs acquired Pachulia in a July 9 trade with Milwaukee and only gave up a second-round draft pick. In return, Pachulia is tied for fourth in the NBA with 16 double-doubles while averaging 10.2 points and a career-high 10.4 rebounds per game.
“In many years of competing against Zaza, we knew he was a quality player,” Carlisle said. “He fits with our culture here, he fits with the guys that he’s playing with.”
Dwain Price: 817-390-7760, @dwainprice
This story was originally published December 28, 2015 at 10:21 PM with the headline "Mavericks to miss sidelined coaches Kidd, Kerr."