A couple of years ago, Dallas Mavericks fans raved about the trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis from New York to play alongside Luka Doncic.
Their first season together was promising, and some believe that they would’ve upset the Los Angeles Clippers in the playoffs had Porzingis stayed healthy. But last year was the complete opposite.
Porzingis struggled with his shot, he was passive on the glass, and rumors claim that he’s not happy about his role and being in Doncic’s shadow.
That’s why it was so important for new coach Jason Kidd to reach out to him and let him know that he’s a big part of his plans, so he paid him a visit in Latvia a couple of days after visiting Doncic for his massive contract extension:
“KP was an incredible host,” Kidd said told Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. “We had dinners. “We got to see him work out and we got to talk a lot. He’s in a good place, physically and mentally, and I’m excited about the opportunity to coach him.”
“‘I’m inviting myself, but would it be all right to come see you?’” Kidd jokingly said. “I think he might have been a little suspect, didn’t think I was going to show.”
“I wanted to see where he lived, that is home for him. Beautiful place. We always talk about family. Sometimes we need to show our care-factor. I care. I wanted to let him know that I care. I know that he’s healthy. I know he’s excited. And then I just wanted to talk to him about things basketball-wise as well as off the court. We always talk about basketball, but I wanted to see where he was off the court. He’s in a great place,” Kidd concluded.
The Mavericks could have something pretty special on their hands if Porzingis goes back to his former self and manages to stay on the court.
Doncic is a generational talent but he needs someone to take some pressure off his shoulders, so, hopefully, the Latvian big man will be that guy going forward.
