With Kyrie Irving still recovering from his torn ACL, Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd plans to play No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg as point forward.
“I don’t look at the position, you know, I want to put him in at the point guard,” Kidd said during Flagg’s introductory press conference on June 27. “I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts. Being able to run the show, being able to play the 2, play the 3. He’s comfortable playing [the 3], but we want to push, and I think he’s going to respond in a positive way. It’s all right to fail. It’s all right to turn the ball over. We’ve talked about that.”
Kidd is no stranger to playing tall wings as a point guard. He had done it before in Milwaukee, which helped unlock the potential of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is now a nine-time All-Star, two-time MVP, and a champion.
“Just understanding the guys that I’ve been around that have been young — from Giannis, giving him the ball and he failed, but he wanted to come back and have the ball,” Kidd told reporters. “So I’m excited about giving [Flagg] the ball against the [Los Angeles] Lakers and see what happens. Let’s get it started right off the bat. But I think just his poise — he’s going to be successful for a long time.”
Baptism of Fire
Excitement is building up for Flagg’s much-anticipated NBA Las Vegas Summer League debut on July 10 which will be aired 5 p.m. P.T. on ESPN.
It’s Flagg vs. Bronny James.
The 6-foot-8 rookie will be a handful for Bronny and the Lakers as the lead ball handler.
“With the team, looking at the roster, we can play a really good brand of position-less basketball with a lot of guys that can do a lot of different things,” Flagg told reporters. “I think that would be one of [our] biggest strengths, and I think just trying to play to that and just doing whatever I can to help the team win.”
Flagg, who just became the second-youngest No. 1 pick in NBA Draft history after LeBron James, considers himself blessed to have landed on a veteran-laden team in Dallas.
“I think it’s a blessing,” Flagg said. “A lot of people in this position or this situation aren’t granted this opportunity. So I just feel really blessed and grateful for the situation I’ve been given.”
LeBron James Dishes on Cooper Flagg’s Unique Situation
Flagg is in a unique situation in Dallas as No. 1 picks are usually heading into rebuilding teams. But the Mavericks are in a win-now mode with three future Hall of Famers.
LeBron James said on his “Mind the Game” podcast ahead of the NBA Draft that going to Dallas is the best thing that could happen for Flagg as the top overall pick.
“He has the benefit, unlike myself, he gets to join a team that’s established with Hall of Fame guys – Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving — right off the bat,” James said. “Hall of Fame coach, Jason Kidd. You know, these guys are like, they can give him the whole blueprint while he continues to learn what his blueprint will be.”
Kidd agrees with LeBron’s sentiments.
“He’s very lucky to have veterans, future Hall of Famers,” Kidd told reporters. “When you talk about Ky and Klay and then AD, just understanding the vets are going to protect him and help him. And they’re going to push him.
“So I think when he’s stepping into this situation, there’s no better situation for him to learn the game, on and off the floor.”
Flagg could not agree more.
“I’m just looking forward to being a sponge,” Flagg said. “Just getting down here, I’m excited to just learn, soak it all in and learn from the guys that are older and have been through it all before.”
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