Graham Lawson, the Dallas Mavericks’ Kid Reporter for Friday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, made quite an impression with coach
Jason Kidd.
From the time Kidd walked into the room for his pre-game press conference and noticed Lawson sitting on the front row, he was smitten with the nine-year old from Irving who had his microphone in hand and was ready to fire off some questions.
Lawson asked Kidd if he preferred coaching or playing.
“I enjoy coaching,” Kidd said. “It’s been a lot of fun. It’s not easy. Playing is not as easy as much as some will think the guys just wake up and play. There’s a lot of work that you have to put into that. Both are extremely hard.
“Great question. You got any more? If you do, please ask them.”
That drew laughter from the assembled members of the media.
With that, Lawson asked Kidd what’s it like to have one of the best backcourts in the NBA?
“Oh, he’s done his homework,” Kidd said with a smile. “As a coach it’s been great to be able to be around great players like Luka (Dončić) and (Kyrie Irving) and have the best backcourt in the league.
“It’s been a lot of fun to watch their creativity. I’ve been very lucky and blessed to have those two on the team.”
Lawson then asked Kidd what’s it’s like to have one of the Splash Brothers – Klay Thompson — with the Mavs.
“It’s great to have Klay – a veteran who’s won championships that understands what it means to work and put in time to your craft and to help us
win games,” Kidd said. “We’re very lucky to have him on our side.”
Lawson was just warming up.
“What’s your New Year’s resolution?,” he asked Kidd
“Health,” Kidd answered. “We need to be healthy for 2025.”
Lawson said: “We’re a good team when we’re healthy.”
Kidd said: “I agree. You want to come do this part, too?”
For his last question, Lawson asked Kidd what’s his favorite NBA road city.
“It’s always good going back home to San Francisco,” Kidd said. “That’s pretty close to family and friends.”
After Lawson finished with his last question, Kidd said: “You did a great job. Now we both can leave.”
Lawson said the Kid Reporter experience was awe-inspiring.
“I think I did very well,” he said. “But I can improve a little bit.”
Lawson said he was really nervous asking Kidd questions. “But,” he said, “I tried to hide it and keep a straight face.”
ALLEN HAS TEXAS TIES: Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarret Allen has a lot of ties to the state of Texas.
Allen was born and raised in Austin, attended high school his freshman year at Round Rock High School in Round Rock, TX, then spent his final three prep season at St. Stephen’s Episcopal High School in Austin.
After that, Allen played the 2016-’17 season with the University of Texas Longhorns before becoming the 22nd overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft. Asked about the Longhorns’ game against Ohio State next Friday in Arlington in the college football playoff semifinals, Allen said:
“I’m not too big of a football watcher, but I’m always going to root for my guys. We’ve proven time and time again that we can beat some good teams.”
Although the Cavs will be off next Friday after playing Wednesday at home against Oklahoma City and Thurs
day at home against Toronto, Allen said he won’t be attending the UT-OSU game because the travel is not conducive to his NBA schedule.
“I’ve always loved to support UT,” Allen said. “I’m from Austin. I grew up in the town. But we all know we’ve got jobs to do.
“We’ve got a job to do and they’ve got a job to do. But I’m very supportive of them no matter what.”
As far as the Cavs go, they boosted their record to an NBA-best 30-4 with Friday’s 134-122 win over the Mavs and have won 13 of their past 14 games, including their last nine.
“We’re rolling,” Allen said. “It’s just good energy all around the locker room.
“We’re all cheering for each other, we all want to see everybody succeed, and I think when you have a team like that it’s easy to win games.”
X: @DwainPrice
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