DALLAS — Beginning with Thursday night’s game against Golden State, the Mavericks have potentially 10 regular season home wins remaining. Coach Jason Kidd would like nothing better than for his wallet to be $50,000 lighter come playoff time in April.
Because if that happens, it not only would mean the Mavericks won all 10 games, but that Kidd will have maxed his financial commitment to his “J-Kidd For The Win” initiative that will benefit three North Texas organizations that are dedicated to youth education and programming.
“We’re talking about winning basketball games,” Kidd said. “But we’re also talking about giving (kids) the opportunity, the tools, to be successful in life.”
Fans and corporations can join Kidd in donating to the programs. Funds will be distributed by the Dallas Mavericks Foundation to these organizations:
— Communities In Schools of the Dallas Region: Fosters educational equity by addressing needs of marginalized, low income and disenfranchised students in North Texas.
— Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County: Provides club experiences for youth; keeps members on track to graduate from high school; teaches and demonstrates good character and citizenship.
— Bold Idea: Helps students discover computer science through hands-on learning and mentoring with industry professionals; builds critical thinking skills to equip students to succeed in their chosen careers.
Kidd grew up in California’s Bay Area. His father Steve worked for TWA and mother Anne was a computer programmer for Bank of America.
“I don’t know too much about computers,” Kidd joked, “but hopefully, they can help teach me and we can get them proper tools to be successful. As you know, today’s generation is all about the computer.”
“J-Kidd For The Win” joins Jason Kidd Select as the coach’s youth-organization-centered initiatives. Kidd founded the Jason Kidd Select girls basketball program last January and it already has grown to about 100 Bay Area kids aged middle school through high school.
Kidd’s NBA playing career began when the Mavericks made him the No. 2 pick of the 1994 draft, continued when he was traded back to Dallas and helped lead the franchise to the 2011 NBA title, and now he’s come full-circle as the franchise’s first-year coach.
“We’re judged on wins and losses,” Kidd said. “But this just gives me the opportunity — and not just me, but us as an organization — to be able to help with the youth of our community, promoting leadership and giving them the tools to be successful.
“As a coach and ex-player, I have the opportunity to do that. And I’ve always thought the youth is what we should start and focus on and that’s what we’re doing.”
