Jason Kidd Pre-Game Press Conference: Mavs vs. Grizzlies Injury Updates & Player Opportunities

Injury Updates and Player Health

• 🏥 Kyrie Irving is out with a right wrist sprain, and Gafford, Lively, Hardy, Washington, and Prosper are also unavailable for the game against the Grizzlies.
• 📈 Davis Bertans and Tim Hardaway Jr. are returning, which is seen as a positive step towards the team getting healthier.
• 🏃‍♂️ Lively is out of his boot and progressing positively, while AD (presumably Dereck Lively II) is also trending in the right direction, though a return timeline is uncertain.

Player Opportunities and Competition

• 🌟 Young players like Brodie Willock, Kai Jones, Kessler Edwards, Exum, and Spencer Dinwiddie are seen as fighting for their NBA careers and contracts.
• ⚡ The team, though potentially undersized, is focusing on playing fast, playing hard, and executing the coaching staff's strategies.
• ⏱️ Caleb Martin is expected to play limited minutes (around 15) in his return, with the primary expectation being his health and a positive experience.

Game Strategy vs. Memphis Grizzlies

• ⚔️ Despite being undersized, the Mavericks plan to be scrappy and physical against the Grizzlies, especially against their big man (referring to Steven Adams).
• 🎯 Strategies include looking to double-team their key big man at times and focusing on boxing out.
• 🏀 The team will need to pick their spots to run and, crucially, take care of the ball to avoid turnovers that could lead to easy Grizzlies fast breaks.

Investment in Women's Sports

• 💖 Jason Kidd's investment in women's sports was inspired by Kobe Bryant and his daughter, aiming to shine a national spotlight on female athletes.
• 🌍 His program, Jason Kidd Select, provides opportunities on and off the court, including international experiences in Croatia and Greece.
• 🎓 Several young women are benefiting from these opportunities, with players like Jordan Lee at the University of Texas performing well.

All-Women Broadcast

• 🎤 Kidd expressed strong support for the all-women broadcast crew for the game, stating it should be a regular occurrence, not just limited to Women's History Month.