Los Angeles Lakers: Jason Kidd garners praise from Rajon Rondo and Quinn Cook

In recent memory, two of the Los Angeles Lakers’ point guards commended an assistant coach who used to be in their shoes.

Over the course of the 2019-20 campaign, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel has gotten a fair amount of press. It is sensible given the fact that the team currently sits at 24-7, their best start in years.

Vogel was known for being a defensive-minded coach with the Indiana Pacers, and, for the most part, it has translated in his tenure with the Lakers. Despite the four-game skid, L.A. is enduring, the Lakers have been a rather tough foe on that end of the floor this season.

While Vogel certainly deserves credit, another member of the staff is worthy of mention in terms of where the Lakers are at. It just so happens that he used to be a head coach as well.

The man in question is assistant coach Jason Kidd. Now, when Kidd was hired by the Lakers, many instantly had a couple of thoughts running through their minds. One of them was that he was going to serve as a mentor of sorts to youngster Lonzo Ball.

Of course, Ball was eventually a part of the blockbuster package that ultimately sent Anthony Davis to the City of Angels. The hypothetical Kidd-Ball pairing was not meant to be as the saying is spun.

Regarding Kidd, some also believed the Lakers hired him for another reason. Given Kidd’s prior head coaching experience, some folks concluded L.A. was going to essentially groom him to take Vogel’s place.

It is important to remember that Kidd was another candidate for the team’s head coaching position in the summer. Thus, the speculation did carry some weight with it, not to mention the fact that LeBron James has never been too easy to please.

Prior to joining the Lakers, Kidd was the skipper of the Milwaukee Bucks from 2014-18. He also had a brief stint with the Brooklyn Nets during the 2013-14 campaign. Accordingly, if the Lakers had chosen him instead of Vogel, it would not have been Kidd’s first rodeo.

On that note, it was open for debate as to why the Lakers did all they could to have Kidd on the staff. It was partially why the Tyronn Lue reunion with James never came to fruition. Lue wanted things to be done his way, and the Lakers did not offer him the type of contract he desired, either.

Notwithstanding why the Lakers wanted Kidd aboard the coaching staff, J-Kidd remains to this day a renowned figure in the NBA. He is one of the smartest players to ever lace them up and is among a select group that could literally dominate a game without needing to score. He was that good in his heyday.

Up to this juncture, having Kidd has been a good thing for the Lakers. All the drama folks were worried about has not transpired, and a couple of Lakers recently applauded the former point guard for his efforts so far.

One member of the Lakers who praised Kidd was veteran Rajon Rondo. Per Bill Oram of The Athletic (via transcription from Corey Hansford of Lakers Nation), Rondo appreciates how forthcoming Kidd has been with him this year.

"“He’s very critical of my game and critiques me, constructive criticism, and I accept it coming from one of the best guards ever to play the game,” Rondo said. “He’s always straightforward and honest with me.”"

As Hansford stated, Rondo is not necessarily the easiest person to get along with. He is known for being hot-headed, although part of why he is the way he is, stems from his competitive nature.

Therefore, to realize that Kidd is in the minority in terms of those Rondo respects and listens to says a lot. Rondo is not always too patient, so for Kidd’s influence to be positively affecting Rondo is good to know.

The latter is of the variety that is not afraid to call someone out. Rondo is not quiet by any means, so for Rajon to note that Kidd has been instrumental in ensuring he remains focused is crucial.

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Another Lakers’ point guard, Quinn Cook, has benefited from J-Kidd’s presence as well. Per Hansford’s transcription, Cook said that he likes how “down to earth” the NBA legend is.

"“He doesn’t act like Jason Kidd at all,” guard Quinn Cook said. “That’s how everybody is here. Everybody is real humble, down to earth. He doesn’t brag about what he’s done in his career. You know how older guys love to tell their stories, and he’s like the most humble person you’ve ever met.”"

What Cook alludes to is encouraging, to say the least. Players who have already paid their dues in the league can sometimes be boastful and act like they are superior for some odd reason.

However, Cook’s analysis of Kidd counteracts that theme. The Lakers’ assistant coach has clearly not been afraid to speak up if the need arises. Yet he has done so in a manner that does not drain the team’s point guards.

It is quite evident guys like Rondo and Cook appreciate what the former Bucks’ coach brings to the table. Perhaps part of the respect comes from Kidd’s success as a player, but, at any rate, there appears to be no behind the scenes drama in the locker room.

To see that the players are getting along well with the 2010-11 champion is a huge plus. The Lakers are striving to win a title of their own this year, and having strong bonds is a key ingredient in making such a lofty goal possible.