Kidd Cautious on Flagg as Starting Point Guard for Mavericks

Jason Kidd Praises Cooper Flagg, But Doesn’t Confirm Starting Role

Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd has expressed his satisfaction with Cooper Flagg’s performance as the starting point guard in the last two preseason games. However, Kidd has not confirmed that the 18-year-old player will start the regular season in that key position, despite his good performance.

There are many positive things here, so we have time to make a decision.

Jason Kidd

Kidd made these statements after the Mavericks’ 121-94 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at the T-Mobile Arena. In this match, Dallas overcame a slow start against a team that rested most of its regular players. Flagg, standing at 6 feet 8 inches, was moved to the point guard position after starting the first two preseason games as a forward, the position he held at Duke. During his two starts at point guard, he averaged 12.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, playing alongside Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II.

You have to keep track of who shoots, what the last shot was, and that will come with the repetitions. I think Flagg has done an incredible job managing the situation of leading the team. And the other thing that I think goes unnoticed is that his teammates like him leading the team.

Jason Kidd

Kidd also pointed out that the Mavericks’ offense was too stagnant early in Wednesday’s game, when the Lakers took a 22-10 lead before Flagg was substituted midway through the first quarter. There are concerns about spacing with that lineup due to the relative lack of playmaking and perimeter shooting, as the Mavericks’ starters hit 3 of 15 3-pointers against the Lakers.

Just keep feeling comfortable. I had some mental lapses today, situations of time and score. I have to know and be aware of what’s on the clock at all times. I just have to stay more attached defensively. I can’t let a hot player keep getting opportunities. So some of those things can definitely be improved.

Cooper Flagg

Flagg, the first pick in this year’s draft, struggled at the beginning of Wednesday’s game defending Gabe Vincent, who scored 18 points and made five three-pointers in the first 4 minutes and 9 seconds.

It doesn’t matter if you’re 6-4, 6-2, or 6-8, when you’re in a pick-and-roll in this league against guys who know how to run the pick-and-roll, it’s difficult. It becomes a two-man game, and we’ll get better at that. But with his competitiveness, he’ll figure it out sooner rather than later, and the more he’s in these situations, I think he’ll benefit in the long run.

Jason Kidd