Jason Kidd took the mic at the American Airlines Center tonight but the pre-game conference was hardly about beating the Phoenix Suns. The Mavericks Head Coach spoke for the first time since Nico Harrison was fired yesterday. He spoke at length about the unpopular former GM while the pressure is also mounting on him about the team’s 3-8 start. He expects that to change soon now that the team is without ‘distractions.’

When asked what would be the immediate impact of Harrison’s firing on the team, the head coach said said, “We’re talking about basketball. It’s about getting back to X and Os and competing. That’s two things that we can control.” 

He also called the front office overhaul what it really is. “A business decision was made and… we gotta push forward,” and he can get back to basketball. Despite the cold statement, he did say that team trusts Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi who are the co-interim general managers till Patrick Dumont fills that spot.

While Harrison was often labeled as a distraction to the team (Cooper Flagg’s mom apparently agreed with a post saying that), Kidd said it’s “tough” any time the team loses someone. But the team’s focus is redirected to tonight’s game.

The retired point guard did not address the rumors that claim that he pressured the organization to get rid of Nico. According to several insiders, former shotcalled-turned-minority owner, Mark Cuban with the head coach convinced Dumont to change the leadership.

At least Cuban was reportedly frustrated by Harrison pushing him out of basketball operations and setting the team back years with the Luka Doncic trade. But Kidd’s contention with Nico was apparently about home court advantage.

With Nico Harrison’s dismissal, it falls on Jason Kidd to restart the franchise. He has to contend with multiple injuries and a 3-8 start to restore the team. For that, he needs the fanbase to be a little less hostile.

Since Luka Doncic was sent to LA, the AAC has only been filled with chants of ‘Fire Nico.’ He became the most hated man in Dallas but the players were on the frontlines of that hate even though they had nothing to do with that decision. There was talk about the players feeling unsupported and Kidd even said, “We can only hope that we don’t have to go through that again because it was a little disrespectful, because the guys are playing hard.”

It was not only disrespectful to the Mavs players but also to their opponents not getting that typical Dallas hospitality. “With that chant during when we’re shooting free throws, it’s very disrespectful. But understanding they got their point across, but we have to move forward.”

Now that the ‘Fire Nico’ campaign succeeded, Kidd is hoping that the home crowd will feel like home to its players starting with this game against the Phoenix Suns.

This is a developing story.