Mavericks coach Jason Kidd launches expletive-laden attack on reporters over negative coverage about Dallas stars Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic: 'So write some positive s***'

Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd unleashed an expletive-laden outburst at an ESPN reporter on Tuesday night, albeit in his famously subdued, monotone delivery.

In response to a query from Tim MacMahon, a long-time NBA reporter who has been covering Kidd since his playing days, the Mavs coach demanded that reporters provide more positive coverage.

'It's alright to to write positive stuff,' said the 50-year-old Hall of Famer. 'People will read your positive s***. You don't always have to be negative. The world is already negative.'

The back-and-forth began with MacMahon asking Kidd about the Mavs' improved performances in late-game scenarios. As opposed to last year, when newly acquired Kyrie Irving failed to mesh with star point guard Luka Doncic resulting in a disappointing 38-44 record, this season's Mavs have been exceptional in clutch situations and currently sit at 11-6.

'After you guys traded for Kyrie, I think the clutch situations were a struggle,' MacMahon asked after the Mavs' 121-115 win over the rival Houston Rockets in Dallas. 'This year, you're among the best in the league in those situations. What have you seen the difference in the dynamic, specifically with Luka and Kyrie closing games.'

WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE  

Somehow Kidd found a way to take offense at the question.

'Tim, maybe it's the things that you guys thought should have happened Day 1, is that they should be successful right off the bat,' Kidd began. 'Failing is alright. It's not a bad thing to fail for a pro athlete because you can get better and learn from it.

'Those two are the best in the world and we feel very comfortable with those two having the ball. Sometimes it goes in, sometimes it doesn't.

'But we learn from it, and I think they've answered that question from Day 1. As you just mentioned, they're one of the best, if not the best, in clutch time. But that was a big thing you guys wanted to make a big deal about last year. But you're not making a big deal about it this year, because s***'s going good, right? So write some positive s***.'

Confused, MacMahon explained he was just 'asked a question.'

'And I'm giving you a f***ing answer,' Kidd fired back.

At no point did Kidd acknowledge that the premise of MacMahon's question was obviously positive: The Mavericks have improved, particularly late in games.  

The Oakland native then took the opportunity to demand more uplifting overall coverage from the media.  

'Let's see some positive stuff on some positive people that are doing their job on a nightly basis,' he added.

MacMahon pointed out that the Mavs are 'making it a lot easier to do that this year,' given the team's success.

Kidd, though, took exception to that statement as well: 'Well we're only into this year. We can't go back to last year. That's the f***ing problem.'

And with that, Kidd told reporters to 'have a good night' and left.

Kidd has endured his ups and downs with the media since becoming a coach with the Brooklyn Nets in 2013. 

Remarkably, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks the following year for a pair of second-round draft picks amid reports that he tried to wrestle player personnel control away from general manager Billy King. 

Kidd denied that accusation before spending four seasons in Milwaukee, two as an assistant with the LA Lakers, and three seasons with Dallas, where he also won his only title as a player.