The 2024 NBA Finals have delivered no shortage of drama, and Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd’s remarks after Game 1 added fuel to the controversy.

Kidd’s assertion that Jaylen Brown is the Boston Celtics’ best player was quickly branded by media and Celtics players as a transparent attempt to sow discord within the opposing locker room.

In an interview with Sam Amick of The Athletic, Kidd emphasized that his intention was not to play “mind games.”

“It wasn’t mind games,“ Kidd said to Amick. “But for whatever reason, everybody took it that way. Everybody was speculating, and no one really asked me that. My whole thing was that watching the Eastern Conference [playoffs], like, he has been [the Celtics’ best player]. No one ever said I was wrong. Even their player said I wasn’t lying.“

Kidd’s statement was largely agreed upon, as Celtics guard Jrue Holiday acknowledged after Game 2 that the comments were “taken out of context.“

Holiday clarified his stance, expressing high regard for Brown and Jayson Tatum, calling them “superstars of the highest order.“

Kidd’s remarks did not rattle the Celtics in Game 2. Boston emerged victorious with a 105-98 win, powered by Tatum’s 18 points and 12 assists and Brown’s 21 points, seven assists and three steals.

The impact of Kidd’s comments might be more psychological than strategic. Mind games are a staple of playoff basketball, and while Kidd denies any motive, the timing and nature of his comment inevitably drew attention.

Coaches often use such tactics to unsettle their opponents, and whether Kidd intended it or not, his words sparked conversation and speculation.

In the high-stakes environment of the NBA Finals, every word and gesture is scrutinized. Kidd’s remarks added another layer to the narrative, illustrating how the battle off the court can be as intense as the physical contest on it.

As the series progresses, the focus will undoubtedly return to the players and their performances. Still, Kidd’s comment displays the mind games that often accompany the pursuit of a championship game.