The Dallas Mavericks has hired another addition to the coaching staff of the new head coach, Jason Kidd. They stayed on the course of adding someone with basketball expertise, but this time from the WNBA ranks. The Mavericks have hired current Los Angeles Sparks guard Kristi Toliver.
Kristi Toliver still currently plays for the Los Angeles Sparks, but this isn’t her first time being a player and an assistant coach for an NBA team. She previously coached for the Washington Wizards as a full-time assistant during her off-season. She is one of the few female assistant coaches in the NBA currently. Toliver is no stranger to success on the court as she is a two-time WNBA champion and won a National Championship as a player at the University of Maryland.
This is an interesting hire by the Mavericks organization in due part, according to Dallas Sports Fanatic, Kidd was interested in having his former teammates JJ Barea and Tyson Chandler join his coaching staff as assistant coaches. This hire still works as they have hired someone who has success and still currently plays the game of basketball. An interesting approach for the Mavericks has how they are shaping their front office and coaching staff under the new regime. They are shoring up for a deep run in the postseason and it starts with the front office and coaching staff to bring in the players that fit the scheme and the culture of the team.
According to SB Nation Mavs Moneyball, she has full support from her current head coach and former player, Derek Fisher. Fisher is no stranger to success as well playing for one of the most successful NBA franchises. She has the knowledge and skill to help the Mavericks be successful from her experience as a player and her stint as an assistant coach. Let’s see what her future is in the game, as she’s only signed on with the Sparks until 2022.
