Frustrated fans voice concerns after a rough start. Jason Kidd acknowledges the passion, urging patience as the team navigates early-season challenges and seeks chemistry.
DALLAS — The boos at American Airlines Center started softly, then grew louder. By the time the final minutes ticked away in the Dallas Mavericks’ 117-107 loss to the Washington Wizards, some fans had begun chanting “Fire Nico,” directing their frustration toward the team’s front office after an 0-2 start.
Head coach Jason Kidd heard it — and didn’t bristle. Instead, his tone was calm and reflective.
“They have a right to vent,” Kidd said after the game. “It’s a different team, a new team. We’re still getting to understand each other. I’d say be patient, but I understand the frustration. We all want to win and compete at a high level. But it doesn’t stop us from coming to work tomorrow and getting better.”
The chants underscored growing tension among fans who watched Dallas open the season with consecutive home losses, both marked by turnovers and defensive breakdowns. On Friday, the Mavericks squandered a 14-point first-quarter lead, allowing 21 turnovers that turned into 31 fast-break points for the Wizards.
Despite the setbacks, Kidd maintained his message of patience and perspective. He reminded reporters that early struggles often come with a retooled roster still learning to play together.
“It’s early,” Kidd said. “This is game two, and there’s a lot we have to work on. There were positives, but we can’t keep making the same mistakes. We’ll keep teaching, keep growing, and we’ll figure it out.”
Kidd’s even approach contrasted with the crowd’s visible frustration. The Mavericks’ new season was expected to bring optimism — Anthony Davis anchoring the frontcourt, Cooper Flagg’s debut generating excitement, and the return of a versatile rotation led by P.J. Washington. Instead, inconsistency and turnovers have defined the first week.
Davis, who finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds, echoed Kidd’s sentiment that panic isn’t the answer.
“It just takes a win,” Davis said. “Our trust and effort were better tonight than Wednesday. We’ve got to play with defensive aggression for all 48 minutes. I’d rather this happen now so we can correct it early.”
The tone around the team was one of measured accountability rather than alarm. Kidd acknowledged the reality of fan expectations but stressed that the process of finding chemistry can’t be rushed.
“When you take a step back, you can see the effort is there,” Kidd said. “We’re creating shots; we’ve just got to make them. The defense will come as we keep working. We’re not going to skip steps.”
The Mavericks will look to quiet both the noise and their early struggles when they host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. CST, continuing a five-game homestand that now carries a little more urgency.