MEAWW.COM / NEWS / SPORTS

How Jason Kidd became most hated NBA coach? Beating his wife to canceling Christmas for Bucks

The hatred against Kidd among NBA fans was revived after Giannis Antetokuompo's biography painted him as the Grinch that stole Christmas

Jason Kidd who was fired by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2018 after management concluded winning with him as head coach was impossible has once again been thrust into the limelight. Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo's biography hit the market on August 10 and certain excerpts mentioned Kidd as the Grinch that stole Christmas for the team once. Mirin Fader penned the book titled 'Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP' which claimed Kidd forced the Bucks to cancel their holiday flights and report to practice on Christmas after losing a match. This has got the Internet talking and people are digging into the ugly aspects of Kidd's past - both personal and professional.

After being fired, Kidd secured a job as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers and eventually became the head coach for the Mark Cuban-owned Dallas Mavericks team this offseason. It remains unclear as to how these new claims would affect his career with the Mavs, however, the excerpts from the book as well as the hatred Kidd's receiving on the Internet is highly damaging, to say the least. Continue reading below for a detailed look into how Kidd became one of the most hated NBA entities. 

READ MORE

MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo: How porn star Stormy Daniels sparked the 'Greek Freak'

What is Giannis Antetokounmpo's net worth? 'Greek Freak' signs record $228.2M deal with Milwaukee Bucks

Jason Kidd canceled Christmas for Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks had lost to Charlotte Hornets two days before Christmas in 2014 for which they were punished by Kidd who made them cancel their Christmas plans, flights and all. He turned to Zaza Pachulia and asked "do you think this was a winnable game?" and on receiving a yes in response he again asked if the team deserved the next two days off. Having been put in the spot, Pachulia took on a diplomatic tone and answered, "You know what, coach -- I understand the frustration. We're all frustrated because this was a game we were supposed to win. We didn't give enough effort. But at the same time, this is a holiday. Christmas is important for our families. It's not about us; its about our families. Guys have made plans." 

Kidd then turned to Jared Dudley asking him again if the team deserved a holiday and yet again received a diplomatic response. The next thing Kidd uttered was, "See you guys tomorrow at 9:00 am." Despite being told about their flights to different places, Kidd told them this was a job they get paid for and they were required to report to work the next day. At practice, the book claims, Kidd targetted Larry Sanders by calling him a "piece of shit" and a "terrible player". After making the team run, lift weights, and do pool exercises which left many bent over and panting, Kidd allegedly continued to berate Sanders and called him "pathetic". Sanders confirmed, "I had a full-body convulsion. My body broke down. Physically I couldn't take it, and mentally I really couldn't take it." Sanders retired in 2015 while still in his 20s but doesn't blame Kidd for it. "I don't think he's a bad person but mentally he kinda, like, brain fucked me a little. It was a lot of, I love you, kiss you on the cheek, now it's all about money, who cares about your mental health, your body breaking down," he said. "I'm happy. I'm in a much better place now. I'm sorry it had to go out the way it did," Sanders is quoted in the book. 

Jason Kidd's rap sheet

Since his behavior against his players was talked about in the book, people have been looking at Kidd's past. Kidd was arrested in 2001 and charged with spousal abuse charges against his wife Joumana Kidd. He was ordered to pay $200 and attend various programs to help with his anger management. He was a player for the Pheonix Suns at the time who traded him to the New Jersey Nets. All the negative press he was receiving after pleading guilty to domestic abuse was believed to be the reason for the same. 

Apart from pleading guilty to spousal abuse, he also pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated. Kidd crashed his SUV into a utility pole in 2012 which resulted in a two-game suspension for him. As a player, Kidd often clashed with his coaches and fellow players. He was traded to the Suns in 1996 after his long-standing issues with ex-teammate Jim Jackson. After being traded to the Nets, it was reported Kidd once screamed at head coach Byron Scott in 2003 which led to him being fired from the team a month later.

'Jason Kidd should never be a Head Coach again'

The Internet is appalled at Kidd's past as well as his behavior against Sanders and the rest of the Bucks and there is an outpouring of hate against him on Twitter, making him one of the top trending subjects on the platform. "Jason Kidd should never be a HC again," a tweet read. "Jason Kidd is that guy from the fraternity who graduated 15 years ago but still shows up to the house occasionally and tries to haze people 'like the good ol days'" tweeted another. "Coaches like Kidd are the reason that so many talented people lose their joy for the sport. I rebuke all authoritarian, the cult of personality style coaching. Leaders lead, they don’t break," read another tweet.