Kidd calls out GS for zone defense, says they can't guard Mavs 1-on-1 | NBA | FIRST THINGS FIRST

Jason Kidd, head coach for the Dallas Mavericks, says he considers the Golden State Warriors' defensive strategy a big compliment. Their decision to guard Luka Dončić in zone signals to Kidd that they can't guard 1-on-1. Nick Wright and Chris Broussard contemplate whether there's any truth to this statement, and what motives may hide behind this quote from Jason Kidd ahead of what could be the final game in the Western Conference Championships.
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Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, Kevin Wildes, and Jenna Wolfe team up on First Things First, a discussion and opinion-based studio program that covers all the headlines weekdays on FS1.
Kidd calls out GS for zone defense, says they can't guard Mavs 1-on-1 | NBA | FIRST THINGS FIRST
• Kidd calls out GS for ...
First Things First
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[@FirstThingsFirst]

Listen to The Skip Bayless Show podcast: sprtspod.fox/SkipBaylessShowPodcast

[@seanhennsey2605]

Jason Kidd you sound stupid zone is legal now stop it

[@williamsc2429]

Please select better Segments!!! This was a trash 🗑 take!!!

[@ohhhyeah9435]

Down 3-1 “they can’t guard us “ 😂😂😂

[@booblanco2214]

😆 facts. Guys nuts.

[@katlady29]

Late reply because I'm going back and looking at allllllllllll the times this past postseason when Nick had tried SOOOOO hard to justify the wrong picks that he had made and that he was holding a lottttt of faith in at that specific point in time lolol But that's basically what he said. literally. Lmaoooo

[@Culture-and]

Shout out to Wildes for blowing up Nick's argument

[@sb7816]

Imagine being down 3-1 playing man to man defense, and shading the team that’s scored more points than you in 3 of 4 games 💀😂

[@sb7816]

Yeah bro you didn’t get it😭it’s okay tho

[@James-xu2dc]

@@sb7816 Imagine thinking you can play zone defense against the Warriors. We got it bro its just silly.

[@mugsby7962]

This has to be the stupidest discussion I have ever heard. This same mentality is what got the Nets knocked out in the first round in a sweep. They said, oh KD you're the greatest player ever, you can take the Celtics 1 on 1 and win...look where that went

[@cogginbenton]

actually everyone wanted kd to start isoing because he wasn’t doing that much of it and he was deferring too much

[@mugsby7962]

@@cogginbenton actually their gameplan was obvious and that's why the Celtics defense had no problem shutting these guys down. Give KD the ball, get out of the way. He was only passive after he got shutdown the first few quarters, yet Steve Nash never adjusted. That's why KD didn't even know what to say or how to figure it out and would just ramble back and forth during pressers

[@right8630]

@@mugsby7962 actually they decided to shut him down as a team and make the others win they did the opposite of what Milwaukee did last year.

[@mugsby7962]

@@right8630 I know, I'm saying the Nets decided to play 1 on 1 basketball, not the Celtics. No team can force another team into anything, unless that other team is unprepared or the coaching staff has a bad defensive plan like the Nets. The nets tried to Iso defend, but the Celtics used great team basketball combined with individual greatness from Tatum and Brown to beat the Nets. So it's like if Steve Nash went on an interview and said, "The Celtics couldn't defend KD one on one." Do you see how stupid that sounds and how Jason Kidd sounds like a kid complaining and throwing a tantrum after they won a single game

[@right8630]

@@mugsby7962 not really he was making a point which is hey we may be in a hole but we are looking at the bright side of things to the end.

[@KingKCA]

I’m a Mavs fan but this is the insane argument I’ve ever heard

[@mrmillennium2697]

True but I think the point of the zone helps keep defenders around the perimeter to guard the three

[@thomasreal4576]

I don't think it's an argument. I think it's Jason Kidd opinion.

[@JTR_14]

Didn’t the Mavs win the 2011 championship by playing zone? And wasn’t Kidd part of that team? Stop crying, coach. It’s zone. Beat it.

[@cjfrm3658]

@@thomasreal4576 How Ironic Jason Kidd when he was player with Dallas All that play against the heat

[@cheerioss-9121]

@@mrmillennium2697 zone is literally just implemented so it makes the ball handler think for a half a second longer when making a play.

[@darrickbeitinger7664]

Nick has become so insufferable talking about the Mavericks ever since they went down 3-0

[@joelalsum9695]

I’d argue that a phenomenal team can take a zone defense to a level that single man defense simply can’t reach. It takes a ton of work and coordination and ridiculous cohesion, but if you get it right… it’s insanely hard to beat.

[@drg8687]

Isn't that what the Raptors did?

[@heirrose1606]

Dallas missed wide open shots, they still got open shots. Only reason is the state of the NBA of "live & die by the 3" that a pathetic defense like the zone can trick people into thinking it's any good. Zone defense has always been used by teams who can't play defense. Check the stats. Teams score more vs zone defense. Players who can't beat the zone do not belong in the NBA.

[@gcabs8507]

@@heirrose1606 so your saying warriors cant play defense even tho they're the best defense in the reg season when they're healthy

[@gellermicael99]

@@heirrose1606 Wrong lol, its used to force/bait teams into bad shots and force run outs and easy fastbreaks... A well done zone still has an element of man tracking in it...and also helps with rebounding, it has absolutely nothing to do with the teams ability to play defense or not LOL.... Just say you don't know basketball

[@heirrose1606]

@@gellermicael99 I can tell you never played organized basketball because you would know zone is used when players cannot play defense straight up individually. The only reason the zone has had any effect is the copycat Small Balls offenses and their literal shortcomings on defense. Per Synergy: There have been about five possessions of zone defense per game this season. That may not seem like a lot, but it’s more than six times as many as there were in ’17-18 season and up from 3.1 possessions per game last season. According to Synergy, offenses have been more efficient against zone (0.99 points per possession) than against man-to-man (0.96) "man tracking" lmfao aka can't play man-to-man so sort of do it? That's the whole point. Good defenses do all those things you said the zone is for without the gimmick zone defense. The modern game where most players play a spot on the 3pt line instead of Basketball makes it especially pathetic to use.

[@DRob46268]

Why would they stop what they’ve been doing to win this series in order to “practice” for the next series?? Wouldn’t that…idk, maybe cause them to lose this series?? 😅

[@Andrew_M_Ward]

this ^ a thousand times this... Why stop doing what has gotten you here

[@ethanspraggins6542]

You guys do know Nick picked the Mavs and is also trying to goad them into doing something stupid LOL

[@DRob46268]

@@ethanspraggins6542 Lol. Definitely. He’s just so convincing when he says, “poke one hole in my argument”, that you actually halfway think he might believe what he’s saying.

[@ethanspraggins6542]

@@DRob46268 LOL right I think he's convinced himself but he is also practicing gamesmanship lol

[@Andrew_M_Ward]

Nick is falling into the same trap his beloved Chiefs fell into - Disrespecting the opponent...

[@Roc_Official]

Nick got Ether’ed In this segment… from both Wildes and Chris. Nick enough with this narrative, Warriors will win the series.

[@cheerioss-9121]

Nick has some good games but man when’s he’s wrong..

[@kevinowens3774]

Being dishonest about your weaknesses and playing the game with your ego don’t win you a championship. You execute defenses that put you in the best position to disrupt the strengths of the Mavs offense. Warriors know they have undersized guards they have to protect from Luka. And it’s no shame in that. Who in they right mind practices a defense against 1 team to get ready for a different team with different personnel that they’ll play later? Nick just desperate at this point. Jason Kidd is playing the game inside the game. He knows the Warriors rotating between multiple defenses has thrown they offensive flow off. So even if he can get the Warriors to play 10 more possessions of man to man out of their ego, that would be a win for the Mavs. This is good bait!

[@femmedenise3598]

Right … Kidd plays mind games … he wants Kerr to do 1 on 1 so GSW can lose 😂

[@mhay_lovin8080]

and with steve kerr and the warriors with multiple championship will bait on that? 😂😂😂😂 🤦‍♀️

[@mcallister2642]

@@mhay_lovin8080 not a chance, but like… it’s worth a shot. They’re down 3-1

[@kevinowens3774]

@@mhay_lovin8080 They won’t take the bait but you absolutely have to try just in case they woke up and lost they mind. Very shrewd by Jason Kidd.

[@raylax7056]

@@kevinowens3774 100% correct, they have to bait them and try to use mind games whatever games as long as the gap keeps closing narrower, J Kidd I never thought I'd say it but dudes half way smart here actually.

[@PardonMeSports]

Wildes was AMAZING on this segment. Hahaha.

[@Sting283]

Luka always calls picks to get favorable match-ups. Why doesn't he go one on one every time against the assigned defender?

[@Stephen246666]

Luka's assigned defender is Wiggins, and hes taken 22 more shots against him than any other defender.

[@Sting283]

@@Stephen246666 is most of that because the defense they're playing? Or is he fighting over the picks? I haven't watched but the Phoenix series and Nick made a remark after game 2 that was kinda similar to this what Kidd said.

[@F1stRoundPic]

If you watch Luka he could make a center look like a baby bro it doesnt matter who's guarding him noones been able to stop him from getting HIS

[@F1stRoundPic]

@@Sting283 They try trapping him all game to force to the others if the others can make their shots then they win but when they miss they lose since Lukas getting everything thrown at him

[@Sting283]

@@F1stRoundPic true but he was definitely hunting favorable match-ups against Phx. I'm basically saying don't be a hypocrite.

[@anthonyvalenciano1506]

I will be so glad when this series is over because these segments are getting worse and worse. I think one day Nick Wright will say "I know Dallas is losing this series in reality but what is reality really? Isn't reality subjective?"

[@spacemountain5624]

NW will start arguing that the Multiverse exists

[@jalenmarks-allen2371]

Nick going out bad

[@LoPiccolo.]

I’m so happy Chris and Wildes knew Nick was just being a troll with his take and just shrugged it off immediately lol

[@DinoTamer23]

Nick Wrong is so delusional, incapable of admitting he's wrong and downright obnoxious.

[@drg8687]

The show would be pretty boring if he caves and said it's over. He doesn't have much to work with and they have this show on 5 days a week.

[@themac2008]

@@drg8687 he gets broken every year….

[@juanviller]

Sooo true 👍🏾

[@gametimesiv]

I never thought such words would ever come out of my mouth, however, it pains me to say that Nick Wright is starting to give Skip Bayless some competition with his recent outrageous takes. Sure the Mavs still have a chance even if it's 1%. But Nick's takes are not based on game play analysis but rather his unconditional love for Luka. I really hope the Warriors finish the series tonight so I can stop hearing this madness. BTW, peeps need to stop acting like GSW are playing zone defense for 48 mins... 🤦🏿

[@MrXmager]

Easy way to stop hearing is, stopping going online and finding it and listening to it everyday. Lol more effort to comment then to just turn it off. Turning off matter to them more then your comment. They see comment as engagement and will do it more for more engament.

[@youtuber_00786]

He's worst than Skip. At least Skip is entertaining with his asinine takes. Nick just tries too hard to be the reverse Skip and just about every debate has no objectivity. Series is over tonight.

[@knoledge48]

“Guys let’s zone up” 🤣🤣🤣

[@lildame2400]

I like this show because they don't just bark at each other they actually have good, fun, & sometimes funny debates 🗣️💯

[@kcsniper1243]

We can all thank Shaq for the zone defense being back in the league. Shaq was so dominant that teams had to play a 2-3 zone to tray and stop him. Prior to 2003 Zone defense was illegal inside the paint. You have to be within arms length of the man you were guarding. Now were seeing a resurgence of zone defense in the past few years.

[@philmccracken179]

“Illegal defense” forced a one-on-one game. It was really easy to score back then but for some reason gets credit for being a tougher time to score. Go figure

[@texasvet2729]

I love Nick 🤣🤣🤣

[@Campbell8884]

Dremond has a reputation as a great defender because he's a smart defender who does great switches and provides great help defense.

[@dskwared2u610]

Kidd is supposed to be a good coach and he's spinning this to make it sound like it's a compliment to get beaten by a zone. How bout the Mav's complementary players stepping-up to help Luka.

[@genovaz]

It's funny because kidd and the mavs played a zone against Lebron in 2011.

[@James-xu2dc]

@@genovaz Yeah obviously, because they couldn't guard him. So, point remains.

[@scottaznavourian3720]

So putting your team in the best position to win is cowardly?

[@b.waynepresents2992]

Kinda wish Nick would be quiet until his turn to speak.

[@Bruce-Kent]

I remember when the nba was a man 2 man only league. They brought in the zone in the 2001-2002 season. I've never been a fan of zones in professional basketball.

[@northside4767]

Playing zone is kinda exactly what you do when you think you have the better team. Four out of the five guys on the other side are almost non-threats in your head.

[@ikejon-ubabuco2717]

This. You don't play box-1 defense because you "can't" gaurd the other players. You play box-1 because you aint scared of the other 4 guys at all.

[@duprebushnell2488]

well its a team sport so this take is irrelevant

[@cheerioss-9121]

How does one call out their contemporaries for making you play to your weakness and not making it easy to win..?

[@davidtresham9164]

Why would they "practice" their defense against Boston on national television to give Boston video footage to prepare?

[@baki.0]

I don’t think Jason Kidd saw this turning to an argument

[@baki.0]

He just pointed out something which tells something for next year probably

[@JamesJordanbestnetworkeralive]

They can’t play 1 on 1 defense when the refs act like luka doesn’t travel 3 out of every 5x he has the ball & how often he uses his off hand to push off as he’s driving lol

[@rycemenace7848]

Cry about it

[@drk.i.a.2969]

Noone does the off hand push offs like all of GSW starters that's their strength & the insanely constant moving, shoving, leg whipping screens that do (because they're never set picks b/c they are always moving) not to mention the flurry of fts they get to start their comebacks it's like clockwork every gm they get close to getting far behind. Watch what I'm saying it's been constant since this so called dynasty , MJ 6 rings in 10yrs is a dynasty...at least the most recent.

[@MysticMech]

Or Luka arm locks the defender, to get the call.

[@StandingInTheGAPMinistriesInc]

Shooters love teams to go zone . You see what Dallas did last game . Shot lights out . Just need their game to travel . Shoot them out of that zone ! Ijs

[@asusumii4257]

I love Nick cos he always gives the underdogs a chance...but the rest always goes ahead with the favourites and the strongest...and debate about it.

[@Jadaisms]

They should cut Nick's mic when others are talking, but also when he's talking

[@charlieakateddy]

Glad Kidd gave the Dubs some bulletin board material to motivate them to wrap this series. 👍🏼 Respect for that, coz they needed it!

[@5toolplayer21]

Nick tries hard to find holes in the warriors hahaha.. I love it

[@themac2008]

If Nick keeps riding Luka like this, LeBron is gonna get jealous.

[@38kal]

Had to come back and watch after Warriors closing out Mavs

[@justdl]

Lmao wilde’s just killed nick. He basically gave him the billy madison speech.

[@KnowaKing]

How does Chris put up w/ Nick and then also Rob 😂

[@MaarSRT]

This series ends tonight. I honestly have no idea how they’ve made this a huge topic all week

[@Dame_301]

Not hard to beat a zone if you can shoot. Tell ya guys to hit shots then you wouldn’t have to worry about them playing a zone.

[@RandomCitizen014]

Nick activating his inner Skip Bayless on this one

[@smoothALOE]

Nick Wright is like the Bill Laimbeer of sports broadcasting: when he’s on your side, you love him; when he’s not, you hate him. Right now, I love him, haha!

[@piffdr3393]

They don't have to guard them 1on 1.Shoot better and beat the zone if you can

[@marcust6479]

NBA need to shut zone defense down... that's high school and college basketball stuff... if ur a pro and can't guard your man u shouldn't be playing

[@zaboe911]

"If the series is already won why not sit your starting 5 so they get rest and don't get hurt?" What a bad faith argument 🤣

[@1987moore]

Imagine the 2nd best defense in the NBA can't guard man to man 🤔😂😂

[@killercook2656]

Tell me you have never played a professional game without telling me you haven't played professional game.

[@jonathanmatheka2353]

"If its not broken don't fix it". Warriors don't have to change a thing.

[@ChristianSanchez-nu7bm]

Nick sounded like Skip Bayless on this segment. You’re better than that bro😂

[@landshark616]

Warriors came back because of tired legs I wounds make that such a big deal. They had fresh legs coming at the end .

[@dcdj35]

Mavs are trapping Steph soon as he passes halfcourt. Is that 1v1?

[@plantbasedministries9233]

Excuses.... shake my head in disgust.

[@startlingbird]

"Practice", we are talking about "practice".

[@jonathanogundeji4342]

The irony is I remember this same discussion when Toronto did it to Steph in the 2019 finals....I thought it was a stupid discussion then as well lol

[@djbforlife1996]

injury team KD injuried KT injuried

[@spenserphoenix]

Broussard: the War-yerz

[@robertjacob8765]

Kidd was never the greatest offensive player but he knew how to do everything, psychological warfare included. Kidd is great...

[@antireese]

It’s sounds good when u win the game but then u realize ur down 3-1

[@kgar5]

Nick the Warriors have a 4-1 lead can the Mavericks still win the title this year.

[@garlandwhite810]

The smart thing for the Warriors to do is what they have did to get a 3-1 lead in the series

[@rccole9249]

I hate to see Nich defend a lost cause. But family is family

[@orlando2814]

Come on Nick now, don’t go Skip Bayless on us

[@corey2232]

Not surprising Nick would think this way... He's the same person that said Chiefs vs Steelers WC match was "better than a bye" & implied it was a better than just getting rest lol

[@vdfreeman]

Jason Kidd can say whatever he wants, his team still had to go fishing, BBQing, take a nap, or whatever they're doing right now. 🤨

[@davidhorton5807]

Didn't play a lick of zone in game 5 😂

[@divefraggle]

Jason Kidd playing 4D chess

[@aceofknaves]

Hopefully, GS is smart enough to not fall for this. He wants GS to not play a zone, that's what this is about.

[@F1stRoundPic]

More like he wants them to continue playing Zone since it gives shooters a lot more open looks than if they played man

[@aceofknaves]

@@F1stRoundPic That's not why Kidd said what he said. He wants man to man so that Luka can get into the paint on every play, which will either allow him to score, get fouled, or find an open shooter. This is basic basketball strategy.

[@waveboyjeff]

People really tried to tell me my last comment of nick speaking bs was a bad take. His main argument as professional Analyst is “ if you want a contract extension you guys better lose the series by playing man” 😂

[@davidtresham9164]

Look at the man to man results with Luka vs Kevon Looney as primary defender, then stop talking about how they can't guard him

[@chillzwills6523]

Coaching is chess not checkers... you play and coach to win..

[@mannygillis5789]

That didn’t age well

[@boricuafrican1]

hey Nick, it's over BECAUSE they're beating them this way...if they change then well, it's a different series 🤔

[@fhranzis067]

i agree with Chris.. GSW is egoless!! 👍👍👍

[@adrenalineunlimited3376]

Y'all fail to realize Nick got bands on the mavs making it 😂 this the right approach by Nick and J Kidd

[@Gabriel-ex4cf]

What Nick doesn't seem to get is that the Warriors aren't arrogant. They play every game like they're the underdogs. That's how you become a champion. If playing zone got them up 3-0 then why would they stop? It's exactly like Chris said. They play to win games

[@Cahluvca]

Get a better roster and a solid running mate....

[@TheGreatWesternTrendkill]

really not much changed except for mavs shooting well or bad from 3. open looks were there all series. mavs role players don't have championship consistent confidence

[@mrmillennium2697]

This is B.S. nobody other than Luka and Brunson can even get off their own shot and occasionally Dinwiddie, wtf Kidd talking about

[@garlandwhite810]

I guess we will never knw since Dallas will be cleaning lockers out on monday 🤣🤣

[@FATHERSOFBASS]

This is so funny

[@pierrerideaux9169]

So Luka can't take Wiggins 1 on 1, he always asking for a screen....

[@gundamzaku214]

Without Nick’s take, there’s be less of a discussion about the WCF

[@locman6228]

Kerr tricked Kidd into putting his reserves in too early. GS reserves are way better than the Mavs. It almost worked.

[@bens.5695]

Now Nick is just messing around. This can't be a serious argument, it's just verbal sparring at this point.

[@renewd]

Obviously, in stating that the series over, Broussard is assuming that the Warriors will play their usual game, not go out there and lie down.

[@zerihundmekuria3125]

What happened to Nick Right?

[@hiprofael]

Seriously, what did Nick Wright do to get this platform?

[@jmartin8932]

If only they would've traded for a center

[@gregoryevans8179]

So they’re playing a zone, it’s not illegal. Wtf is Kidd talking about?

[@KleinpeterHank]

Idk why Nick Wright wanted to die on the hill of Luka coming back from 3-0 like dude have some ambition. 🤣

[@symonooga543]

really nick......really 😂😂😂

[@mikeburke9414]

I love you Nick, but the Dubs using game 5 as a practice is bonkers, and maybe your worst suggestion I've heard

[@Chessbox09]

Kidd just playing mind games, that's all.

[@gernblanston2652]

I only clicked to see if Nick would steal Bomani's catchphrase. Zone is for cowards.

[@TMo_DaFreshNerd]

Nick what are you talkin about?! 😂😂 You use different defenses for different teams!

[@jesusroman5567]

Desperate!!!