The Dallas Mavericks could have probably the most intriguing roster within the NBA in the meanwhile. 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 staff 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, could possibly be the right man to assist unlock his sport.
“I need to put him at level guard. I need 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 comfy enjoying that. However we need to push. And I feel he’s going to reply in a constructive means,” Jason Kidd stated.
Kidd was instrumental within the growth of Milwaukee Bucks famous person Giannis Antetokounmpo, placing the ball in his arms early on and having him function as some extent ahead. It wasn’t all the time profitable, however it led to Giannis ultimately growing into one of many higher playmakers within the NBA.
In truth, he has averaged not less than 5 assists per sport 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 not less than till January, Kidd may use that chance to have Flagg play extra with the ball in his arms. It may not all the time go nice, however throwing him into the deep finish may speed up his growth and be higher for him long-term.
Even when Flagg does 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 abilities, with groups more likely to put their finest defensive participant on him.
That’s tough to duplicate in observe and would supply Flagg a studying expertise that he wouldn’t in any other case get. Higher nonetheless, the Mavericks have sufficient expertise with Anthony Davis and several other NBA-caliber gamers to offset any potential shortcomings of a point-Flagg-led offense.
That may give the Mavericks the very best of each worlds, with them nonetheless being aggressive whereas their younger star learns on the job and works to develop his sport.
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 pictures on the rim whereas additionally having loads of offensive ability as a three-level scorer.
Bringing the ball up the court docket and initiating offense would maintain him extra concerned within the offense. It will draw consideration from his teammates, leading to them getting simpler pictures. It may assist him, too, by having him develop into extra accustomed to utilizing ball screens to create a bonus within the half court docket and assault the paint. That may 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 abilities, then it may take his sport to a different stage and produce him one step nearer to superstardom.
