12-24-2025, 12:07 PM
(12-24-2025, 11:47 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: I agree with all of this.
However, I'd like to offer a different wrinkle. While I agree completely that when (not if) Flagg becomes a lethal shooter it will open up a ton of options for him, I'm not sure that's the development I'd be holding my breath for if I worked for the Mavs. Not right away, at least. He's special NOW when he gets the ball inside with the option to dribble and space to operate. In the short term, I'd be more interested in putting shooting around him, so that teams were forced to stay 1-on-1 inside. If they still don't, I have zero doubt Flagg can make the right pass.
Imo, this need the current roster and approach has for Flagg to start doing his thing above the break is causing needless hurdles for him to clear. Yes, he's capable of clearing them - more so with each game. But, it always feels to me like the tough part, for him and for the offense, is getting him past the first layer of defense. It's the part of the game he's still learning, and he's having to do it with paint that's packed basically the entire possession. Just because he's starting to succeed in those circumstances doesn't mean they're ideal.
I get it - that's the way the game is being played right now. The best players have the ball in their hands. Kidd had some success with Giannis doing this, and now he's trying to skip some steps with Flagg and cut to the chase. But, I never felt like Dirk didn't get enough touches, did anyone else? I wonder what could be gained by having Flagg be the screener at times, rather than be the full time handler during his moments of the offensive plan. Or, maybe even run some off-ball screens to free him up to receive the ball in the high post, like they used to do with Dirk? Seems like his goal is to get within about 17' every time he touches it, so what might be gained by making that an easier proposition?
Just wondering. No matter what happens moving forward I think it's crystal clear the Mavs need to put more shooting around Flagg.
Thinking about this, I was wondering during the game last night how much of the offense being run now was to showcase AD. To put it another way, how many touches would Flagg be getting if the center were just Gafford?
The word "showcase" was intentional, but I think AD needs the ball almost as much as Flagg. With that in mind, we may not be seeing the Mavericks establish any real identity with this group of players just yet. It's really in flux. Getting Kyrie back, and a few trades after the TDL may give us a better picture.