Jason Kidd’s Vision: How He Helped Shape Giannis Into an NBA Titan

“When it’s all said and done, he’ll be one of the best to ever do it.” Those were the words of Jason Kidd, reflecting on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s journey after he reached 20,000 career points this week. Kidd first met Giannis when he was just 19, a raw but promising rookie in Milwaukee.

When Kidd took over as head coach of the Bucks, Giannis was still finding his footing in the league. But under Kidd’s guidance, he began to flourish. One of the most significant decisions Kidd made was shifting the young star into a point guard role, a move that helped unlock his full potential. The experiment led to noticeable growth—Giannis recorded five triple-doubles and saw his numbers improve across the board.

By the time Kidd departed in 2018, Giannis was on the cusp of superstardom, just a season away from winning his first MVP. That foundation helped shape the dominant force he is today.