Jason Kidd Explains How Modern NBA Players Are Breaking Traditional Roles

A New Era of Basketball

Jason Kidd has seen basketball change dramatically over his time as a player and coach. After playing through the 1990s and 2000s, he watched the league shift away from fixed player positions.

During his coaching career, Kidd worked with superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks from 2014 to 2018. He also coached Luka Dončić in Dallas and recently worked with Cooper Flagg during his final stint with the Mavericks. These experiences showed him how flexible modern players have become.

Breaking Down Traditional Positions

In the past, every player stuck to a specific role on the court. Today, guards are expected to grab rebounds and defend several positions. Big men regularly bring the ball up the court and run the offense.

Kidd recently attended the NBA House event in Makati, Philippines, alongside four time NBA champion Tony Parker and two time WNBA champion Lauren Jackson. The event took place at SPACE at One Ayala on Aug. 29 and 30.

While talking about the shift, Kidd pointed out that players are no longer stuck in rigid boxes. He noted that in his playing days, everyone had a set role. Now, players can handle multiple jobs because everyone can control the ball and defend different matchups.

Freedom for Players and Coaches

Kidd highlighted his former player Antetokounmpo, who is now the newest member of the Miami Heat. He praised the seven foot star for being able to defend guards and move like a guard on the floor.

This flexibility gives head coaches much more freedom when building lineups. Instead of looking for a standard point guard or center, coaches can combine unique skill sets to create better lineups.

Kidd explained that this shift gives coaches and players a chance to use more imagination. He believes the sport is in a great place because players are no longer restricted to just one area of the court.