For most of the games the Dallas Mavericks have played this season, rookie Cooper Flagg has started at point guard. Coach Jason Kidd has opted for the Mavericks to have a massive lineup with Flagg handling the ball. He did not play point guard in college.
So far, the results have been mixed. The Mavericks are the second-worst team in the Western Conference, mainly due to poor ball movement. Dallas ranks 26th in the NBA in assist ratio and sits 22nd in turnover percentage. Flagg can’t be blamed for all of that, though.
Despite playing point guard, Flagg has averaged just three assists per game. He isn’t a natural playmaker, which makes this decision that much more baffling. Kidd was asked about it after Dallas played the Pistons. His answer might not satisfy fans.
Jason Kidd Claims Cooper Flagg at Point Guard is Due To Injuries
In his postgame press conference, Kidd highlighted two main reasons why he’s in that spot.
“There’s a couple of things behind him playing point guard. One is our health. Coming out of training camp, we had a lot of injuries, so (we wanted him) being able to have Cooper handle the ball.”
Before the season, the Mavericks understood what they had in terms of depth at the point guard spot. Kyrie Irving tore his ACL last March, so the Mavs knew they weren’t going to have him to start the season. NBA insider Marc Stein recently gave an update on Irving’s progress.
“I continue to be told that there is no firm return date in mind for Irving, who sustained a torn ACL in his left knee March 3 against Sacramento and had surgery in late March.”
In response to Irving’s injury, the Mavericks signed D’Angelo Russell in the offseason to help with ball-handling duties. They have refused to start him, opting to keep a better defensive lineup out there.
Mavericks Are Playing Cooper Flagg at Point Guard to Help With Playoffs
Another reason why Kidd has decided to have the Mavericks play Flagg at point guard is to help the Mavericks when the playoffs roll around.
“The other part of handling the ball is being able to handle the pressure when April comes around and you’re playing for something greater. And so just to have that experience early on here is a blessing, and I only think it will help him in this marathon because it will help us have another ball-handler who can help make decisions on the floor once we get healthier.”
Kidd is making these decisions with the playoffs in mind, but the Dallas Mavericks need to worry more about making the playoffs in the first place. In a very competitive Western Conference, it’s going to be hard for them to make up ground if they fall into too big a hole.
Flagg is being asked to do a lot in the early part of his career. So far this season, he has a -11.5 net rating. The Mavericks will try to weather the storm of his mistakes.
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