Giannis Antetokounmpo offered to help save Jason Kidd’s job
Giannis Antetokounmpo was apparently willing to go the extra mile in order to keep Jason Kidd as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks
Kidd told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne on Monday that Antetokounmpo called him and offered to help save his job before Kidd got official word of the firing. Kidd also revealed further details of his conversation with Antetokounmpo.
Jason Kidd tells ESPN that Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo called him about 15 minutes before Kidd was officially notified he'd been fired by the Bucks and offered to help save his job.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 23, 2018
Kidd, "He called me and said, 'Coach, this isn't right what they're about to do, but (they) are gonna let you go.' "
Kidd says he told Antetokounmpo that "I had a feeling that was gonna take place."
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 23, 2018
Kidd says Antetokounmpo replied, "'What can I do? I'll call the owners, I'll call my agent."
Kidd said he told him, "There's nothing you can do. All you can do is tell the truth. That's it."
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 23, 2018
Kidd said he thanked Antetokounmpo for his loyalty and that he was "thankful to be able to coach him."
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 23, 2018
Kidd had served as Bucks head coach for the last four seasons, assuming his position during Antetokounmpo’s second year in the league. When you read this report about the Greek Freak’s initial reaction to the firing, it’s easy to believe that he wanted to do everything in his power to help save Kidd’s job.