The Dallas Mavericks aren’t concerned about their opening night blunder against the San Antonio Spurs.
And Jason Kidd isn’t worried about his jumbo lineup featuring Cooper Flagg as the point guard. After Thursday’s practice, Kidd said he feels comfortable continuing to move forward with the 18-year-old rookie in that role.
“I thought he did a really good job of trying to get others involved,” Kidd said. “We were in foul trouble three minutes into the game. It changes the dynamics of the rotation. We gotta look at Game 2 if we can stay out of foul trouble.”
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Max Christie, who finished with nine points on three 3-pointers, said Wednesday’s practice was more mental since they reviewed film. He also wanted to shed light on Flagg’s new role as a primary facilitator. It’s a new experience despite his short bursts initiating offense in the past.
“It’s the first game,” Christie said. “He’s 18 years old and we’re putting him in a tough spot. We ask him to do a lot to run the point guard position. I wouldn’t say it’s his natural position.”
Flagg played forward for the majority of his basketball career in high school and college, but he’s always possessed an ability to make accurate reads and initiate offense in spurts. He’ll have a chance to face an opponent with a lower level of difficulty in the Wizards.
Washington finished with the second-worst record in the NBA last season and drafted Lake Highlands native Tre Johnson with the 12th overall pick. The Wizards enter Friday’s game coming off a season-opening 133-120 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Kidd is aware of the offensive firepower on the other end and wants his team to be prepared.
“Washington has a couple of vets over there that can put the ball in the basket in CJ [McCollum] and [Khris] Middleton. They can score,” Kidd said. “Being able to protect the paint, take them off the 3-point line and offensively, we gotta get in a flow.
“It’s not the Washington of old. They’re a team that can put up a lot of points.”
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