The Dallas Mavericks could have probably the most intriguing roster within the NBA for the time being. That is a results of them abruptly buying and selling star Luka Dončić final season after constructing a proficient roster round him.
They then lucked out and landed potential generational prospect Cooper Flagg, placing a younger star on a workforce stuffed with expertise. Even so, it might take him time to develop right into a franchise participant. However fortunately for the Mavericks, coach Jason Kidd, who was each a franchise and NBA legend, might be the proper man to assist unlock his recreation.
“I wish to put him at level guard. I wish to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts having the ability to run the present. Having the ability to play the 2, play the three – he’s snug taking part in that. However we wish to push. And I feel he’s going to reply in a optimistic means,” Jason Kidd mentioned.
Kidd was instrumental within the growth of Milwaukee Bucks celebrity Giannis Antetokounmpo, placing the ball in his arms early on and having him function as a degree ahead. It wasn’t at all times profitable, however it led to Giannis ultimately creating into one of many higher playmakers within the NBA.
Actually, he has averaged at the very least 5 assists per recreation over the past 5 seasons. That has helped to make Giannis unstoppable, and Kidd may use the identical growth technique for Flagg.
Jason Kidd should experiment with Cooper Flagg at level guard
With the Mavericks not having Kyrie Irving at the very least till January, Kidd may use that chance to have Flagg play extra with the ball in his arms. It won’t at all times go nice, however throwing him into the deep finish may speed up his growth and be higher for him long-term.
Even when Flagg would not develop in the identical methods offensively, having loads of reps with the ball in his arms ought to assist him. It ought to enhance his ball-handling expertise, with groups more likely to put their finest defensive participant on him.
That’s tough to copy in follow and would offer Flagg a studying expertise that he wouldn’t in any other case get. Higher nonetheless, the Mavericks have sufficient expertise with Anthony Davis and a number of other NBA-caliber gamers to offset any potential shortcomings of a point-Flagg-led offense.
That will give the Mavericks the most effective of each worlds, with them nonetheless being aggressive whereas their younger star learns on the job and works to increase his recreation.
Cooper Flagg can increase his ceiling by bettering as a playmaker
If he ultimately excels as a playmaker, then he will likely be all of the extra spectacular as a prospect. He’s already an elite defensive prospect, with him having the ability to defend on the perimeter and problem photographs on the rim whereas additionally having loads of offensive talent as a three-level scorer.
Bringing the ball up the court docket and initiating offense would hold him extra concerned within the offense. It might draw consideration from his teammates, leading to them getting simpler photographs. It may assist him, too, by having him turn out to be extra accustomed to utilizing ball screens to create a bonus within the half court docket and assault the paint. That will give him one other weapon in his rising offensive arsenal.
All informed, Coach Kidd should experiment with having Flagg play level guard subsequent season. If Flagg can develop playmaking expertise, then it may take his recreation to a different degree and produce him one step nearer to superstardom.
