Cooper Flagg stresses the Mavericks need to be more ‘organized’ | NBA on ESPN

Cooper Flagg stresses the Mavericks need to be more ‘organized’ | NBA on ESPN

I know it wasn’t the outcome you guys wanted, but what do you like about that that final possession? Uh yeah, I mean I think uh we got to a good spot um you know somewhere I was able to get to throughout the throughout the second half, you know, the game and I thought I got to a good spot, put one up on the rim, but it just didn’t fall. Cooper, this was kind of your first time at your natural position. What were your thoughts in that role tonight? Um, I thought, you know, we just played natural. Um, I thought it still got a little sticky at times, but, um, yeah, I think we had to keep working on moving the ball, um, getting organized and just attacking mismatches, but, um, I think we could have been a little bit better organized tonight. Do you feel like that change of being a little bit better organized was directly from kind of the starting lineup change and y’all put DLO in there and you shifted a few spots over? Um, I I don’t know. Yeah, maybe. Um, you know, whatever it is, but I still think we could have been a lot better being organized. Still thought there was a lot of possessions where, you know, we had guys in the wrong spots. Um, you know, we got to fill our spots that we want to get to that we have mapped out in practice and whatnot and our game plan. And I think when we get to our spacing and we we get into stuff that we want to get to, we get good looks. How does just the space feel offensively? Like does it feel like you have room to do what you want to do? Uh, I think it goes back to what I said. when we get into our spots the way we practice our spacing and um you get organized the way we want to get organized, I think we do get the right shots and we do get the, you know, the right amount of space to, you know, have guys create and get downhill. So, I think, like I said, just got to be more organized. You you were very noticeable getting downhill in the in the fourth quarter. Was it a mindset shift at all or or just kind of taking what was there? I mean, that’s just what was working, you know, guys all around just getting to the rim, getting the paint, um you know, making plays off two feet. So, um, it’s just something that we were trying to emphasize and it was working. So, Max was just staying here. He mentioned the message in the locker room. Just keep at it. The ship isn’t sinking. Just from where from where you stand, how do you think the locker room is handling just the disappointing start? Um, yeah, I think Max said it said it fine. Um, I mean, for me, it’s the most, you know, I’ve lost since, you know, I think ever. So, you know, it’s obviously a lot different and, you know, you have to adapt to just playing a lot more games and, you know, get get um used to that, but, you know, I would I wouldn’t say anybody’s happy. Um, you know, guys obviously are trying to stay levelheaded and know that we got a lot more games to go and it’s still really early, but I mean, I’m speaking personally. I know it’s not it’s not fun um to just keep losing and losing games. So, you like to make a change and hopefully start, you know, making steps in the right direction. Cooper, you touch on these emotions that you’re kind of feeling for the first time in your career, but I see you after every game going to get photos with fans and, you know, making the most of these moments for little kids. So, as an 18-year-old, that’s just kind of uncommon for you to naturally think to do that. How you instill that in you? Uh, I think it I mean, I’m 18. Um, you know, I’m not that far removed from being those kids and, you know, being the fan at an NBA game. So I think for me it’s just about um you know win or loss is one thing. You know obviously you know you have to be competitive in that right and you know be focused on that but um that doesn’t or can’t take away from you know giving back to the people that are there to support you and um so that’s kind of what that is for me. I mean like I said I’m not that far removed from being those kids and you know want an autograph or wanting a picture with you know players when I was younger. So you know I know what it is. I know it’s like to be there and support somebody and how much it can mean and even change somebody’s life just to, you know, stop and say hello. And you’ve had a bunch of tough match ups over the last couple of games. You know, tonight Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Assar, Amen Thompson. How’s kind of your first, you know, like seven last seven days kind of been just going against some of those tough defenders. Yeah, I mean, like you said, some great defenders, some great competitors. So, I think it’s been it’s been fun, you know, just to be able to compete at a high level. and there’s a lot I can, you know, look back on and a lot of film to watch and and learn from. Um, you know, playing against good good defenders like that. So, I think that, um, there, you know, some good learning experiences and moments to to look back on and hopefully we’ll just improve. How do you think they’re guarding you? Are they going on your screens? You think they’re going after the ball? I mean, I would just say a lot of guys are just being physical. Uh, that’s the biggest thing. Um, lot of guys being physical, trying to, you know, force physicality. guys that have been in the league for a couple years. So, just got to get used to it. Um, play through some physicality and finish through it. With PJ Washington, he’s someone who you’ve spent a lot of time with on the floor to begin this season. What have you thought overall? What have you thought of his finishing? What’s made him so dominant in the paint? And what do you like about that onc court duo between y’all two? Yeah, I mean, I love playing with PJ. Um, he’s a competitor, a fierce competitor. He’s always playing really, really hard. You know, that’s one thing you can always count on. always making the right play, you know, getting downhill, um whether it’s finishing, passing, you know, he’s just been really efficient, you know, attacking the basket, um and using his shoulders, using his size to finish at the rim. So, I mean, it’s been a joy. It’s been so much fun to play with PJ. Um, you know, looking forward to continue to play with him and hopefully we’ll turn things around and just continue to compete out there. Appreciate you. Y Thank you guys. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause]

Cooper Flagg reacts to the Dallas Mavericks’ 101-99 defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans.

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