Cooper Flagg’s arrival in Dallas has everyone talking, but nobody’s more pumped than the guy who’ll be drawing up his plays. After watching the number one pick bounce back from a rough debut with 31 points in his second Summer League game, Jason Kidd can’t contain his excitement about what this kid brings to the table.
What Makes Jason Kidd So Confident in Cooper Flagg?
During his appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter, Kidd didn’t hold back when discussing his newest star. The veteran coach, who’s coached plenty of elite talent throughout his career, had nothing but praise for Flagg’s approach to the game.
“Cooper Flagg is really mature for an 18-year old. Plays both ends hard. Offensively, can score and pass. He has a high IQ defensively, solid all-around, a great young man. I’m lucky to be his coach,” Kidd said.
Jason Kidd on Cooper Flagg:
“Cooper Flagg is really mature for an 18-year old. Plays both ends hard. Offensively, can score and pass. He has a high IQ defensively, solid all-around, a great young man. I’m lucky to be his coach.”
(via @espn)
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That maturity factor stands out most to Kidd, and it should. The Mavericks aren’t rebuilding anymore. Even after trading away Luka Dončić, this organization believes it can compete for championships in the coming years with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis leading the charge.
For Flagg, being mature beyond his years means he won’t need the typical rookie adjustment period. Most top picks take time to figure out NBA-level basketball, but Kidd sees someone ready to contribute meaningful minutes right away.
How Will Flagg’s Two-Way Ability Impact Dallas?
Kidd’s emphasis on Flagg’s defensive capabilities tells everything about how the coach plans to use him. The rookie showed flashes of elite on-ball defense and rim protection during his time at Duke, and Kidd clearly sees that translating to the professional level.
That two-way versatility gives Dallas something they haven’t had in years. Flagg can guard multiple positions while also creating offense through scoring and playmaking. It’s the kind of complete skill set that championship teams need from their role players.
The defensive IQ that Kidd highlighted might be even more valuable than the offensive numbers. Smart defenders who can read plays and make the right rotations are exactly what contending teams need around their stars.
The Mavericks struck gold landing Flagg, and their coach knows it. The big question now is how quickly Flagg will adjust to NBA speed and physicality. But with his coach’s full confidence and the right supporting cast around him, all signs point to a successful transition to the next level.
