Jason Kidd isn’t losing any time with No. 1 choose Cooper Flagg.
The Dallas Mavericks head coach made it clear he desires the 18-year-old rookie operating the ground instantly, beginning with the workforce’s Summer season League debut in opposition to the Lakers on July 10.
“I’m enthusiastic about giving him the ball in opposition to the Lakers and see what occurs,” Kidd stated at Flagg’s introductory press convention. “Let’s get it began, proper off the bat.”
Flagg, who starred at Duke final season and led the workforce in all 5 main statistical classes, averaged 19.2 factors, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per sport. He additionally grew to become the youngest No. 1 choose since LeBron James in 2003.
Kidd sees Flagg’s management and mindset as a serious asset.
“Simply sitting right here listening to him, isn’t it unbelievable?” Kidd stated. “I imply, we’re speaking about an 18-year-old who has all the fitting solutions and is speaking about understanding after this. However while you discuss his reward, he’s a basketball participant. And he’s a winner.”
The Mavs’ coach doesn’t need Flagg boxed into one function, both.
“I wish to put him on the level guard. I wish to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts, having the ability to run the present,” Kidd stated. “We wish to push. And I believe he’s going to reply in a optimistic method. It’s all proper to fail. It’s all proper to show the ball over. We’ve talked about that.”
Kidd sees similarities between Flagg and a younger Giannis Antetokounmpo, whom he coached in Milwaukee.
“However he needed to come back again and have the ball,” Kidd stated of Antetokounmpo.
Flagg, in the meantime, is able to soak up every part.
“I’m simply wanting ahead to being a sponge,” Flagg stated. “Simply getting down right here, I’m excited to only be taught, soak all of it in and be taught from the blokes which are older and have been via all of it earlier than.”
With veterans like Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson and Anthony Davis round him, Flagg enters the league in a uncommon place, a No. 1 choose becoming a member of a playoff-ready workforce.
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