Cooper Flag punished by the absence of the starting leader in Dallas?

The address evenings are lined up one after the other and are not alike Cooper Flagg. Since his big league debut, the first pick in the 2025 draft has been a yo-yo in his performances. A few days after a 15-point (6/11) 10-rebound game against the Pacers, he followed up with 16 points and 8 rebounds against the Pistons, on a much less clean 3-of-14 shooting.

In the last quarter this meeting in Mexicothat swung in Detroit’s favor, his entire team went off the rails offensively: just 17 points on 4/16 shooting, with 7 turnovers. During those 12 minutes, Cooper Flagg made only free throws (4/4, compared to 0/2 for the game).

« It’s a tough league. It is a period of transition. Obviously, I didn’t make as many shots or be as efficient as I would have liked, but I will continue to believe in the work. I don’t worry about anything. We have to continue to be aggressive and believe in what we are doing. I think everything will be fine », features an 18-year-old player.

Novak, after six games, certainly records an average of 13.8 points, with 6.5 rebounds and 3 assists in 32 minutes. But his skill levels raise questions: 37.3% including 28.6% on 3-pointers. And when he’s on the floor, the Mavs are averaging just 98.4 points per 100 possessions. One of the worst “offensive ratings” of his training.

I’m waiting for Kyrie Irving to come back

And that within the framework of the worst offensive threat at the beginning of the championship. At 104.2 points per possession, the Texans have the least efficient offense in the league.

Part of the rookie’s struggles, and by extension the Mavs’, can be explained by the situation he finds himself in. Jason Kidd he refused to start the traditional leader this season, preferring to entrust PJ Washington – 2.8 assists for … 3 turnovers per game – with the responsibility of carrying the leather.

As a result, he creates more for others than the other way around. Of his 28 total converted shots, 13 came from assists, 15 did not. Despite this relationship, his coach remains committed to this “Point Flagg” approach. ” We play for something bigger. Having this experience early is a blessing », still believes Jason Kidd, who prefers to continue bringing his main creator D’Angelo Russell (5 assists) from the bench.

« This can only help us in this marathon, as we have another ball carrier capable of making decisions when we finish », he tells the coach about his experimentation with Cooper Flagg. I’m waiting the return of Kyrie Irving to balance this division of tasks?

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How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.