Stumbling Out of the Gate
It had been 187 days since the Dallas Mavericks last played a meaningful game, when they were eliminated by the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament. Since winning the NBA Draft Lottery in May, enthusiasm and hope returned to the Mavericks fanbase, having the opportunity to draft 18-year-old phenom Cooper Flagg.
With Flagg now a Maverick, there had been a buildup of excitement for opening night against longtime rival San Antonio Spurs. The Mavericks’ biggest offseason moves were re-signing fan favorites P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, as well as signing point guard D’Angelo Russell to keep the boat afloat until Kyrie Irving returns.
While the Mavericks’ roster is incredibly talented, they lack experienced guard depth. Any concerns fans had coming into opening night with the “ultra-big” lineups, were front and center in a 125-92 blowout loss to the Spurs.
Overreaction 1: The Offense
The Mavericks don’t have enough offense. That hole was known coming into opening night. Without many true shooters, it won’t be in Dallas’s calling cards to beat teams with shooting. But on this opening night, it wasn’t the shooting that was the concern - it was HOW the offense looked.
It should be said, the first game of any season should be taken with a grain of salt. It’ll take time to build chemistry and flow with the new personnel. However, whatever vision new offensive coach Jay Triano had in mind for this team, was not on full display.
The Mavericks shot 37% from the floor (31-83) but shot better from three than two at 43% (9-21). Which means Dallas shot an abysmal 35% from two (22-62). Yes, Victor Wembanyama was a big part of that, so the Mavericks settled for a lot of mid-range jumpers. But they have to be more efficient, especially in the paint. The Mavericks won’t win many games this year beating you from the three-point line, so they have to dominate inside the arc.
The bigger issue was the flow of the offense. Jason Kidd touted coming into this season that the Mavericks offense would be about constant movement and passing. Last night was anything but that. Too often, the Mavericks’ offense was everyone standing around watching an Anthony Davis iso- or one-two pass and an 18–20-footer. If Dallas wants to be successful this season on the offensive side of the floor, they’ll have to be more creative: more off-ball screens, more backdoor cuts, more slashing, and more driving and kicking. Standing around and watching one guy can work with certain players (dare I say his name - Luka Dončić), but not with these personnel.
Overreaction 2: Start a True Point Guard
The idea of going ultra big against San Antonio sounds good on paper because of Wembanyama, but as he proved last night, no one is going to tame his third-year leap.
Cooper Flagg is a great passer, but he’s not a point guard. Flagg, despite his poor shooting night in 4-13 from the floor, did record a 10 point, 10 rebound double-double in his debut. However, he didn’t record an assist. That’s not his fault, it’s just not his role. Flagg thrives in wing-related roles where he can use his athleticism and size to overpower whoever is guarding him. Starting him with the ball also reduces the chance he’ll get it back to create his own shot. The ball should end with him, not start with him.
There’s a reason Dallas signed D’Angelo Russell, and while he may not be an ideal starting point guard, it makes more sense than what Dallas tried doing on Wednesday night. Russell’s strengths are facilitating and dribble penetration- both of which Dallas desperately needed from the jump. Russell had a poor shooting night, just 1-6 from the floor with 6 points in 15 minutes, but the Mavs didn’t sign him to rely on his shooting. It’s everything else he does to facilitate an offense. The Mavericks need a true point guard in the starting lineup.
Overreaction 3: Defense Wins Championships
If you’re going to build your team around playing good defense, then you need to play…well…good defense. The Spurs shot 58% from the floor (50-87), and 63% (42-67) inside the three-point line. There’s nothing you can do about 7’5” Wembanyama, but there is something you can do about having size at every other position, like the Mavericks did.
The offense didn’t have flow, and neither did the defense. The system looked disconnected at times. Rotations were a step late. The closeouts were undisciplined. And there were shades of laziness and uninspired basketball, which is unlike teams coached by Jason Kidd.
The lack of energy and effort often showed on the rebounding side as well. Dallas was out-rebounded 50-37. There’s the saying in basketball “You don’t get a stop until you get a rebound.” The Mavs weren’t doing much of either. It’s going to be a long season until Dallas tightens it up on what’s supposed to be their biggest two strengths in defense and rebounding.
The Silver Lining
One game shouldn’t be enough cause for concern (yet), but the holes the Mavericks have are clear. What also became clear on an otherwise pretty gloomy night for Mavericks fans, is the promise of Cooper Flagg. He became the youngest player ever to record a double-double in their NBA debut. Despite his poor shooting night, his defense and energy were there. There will be nights when Flagg’s offense looks meh, but it’s all the other things he does that make him one of the best prospects this century. He’s going to be who we expect him to be, but he just needs time.
P. J. Washington and Ryan Nembhard showed up while everyone else was asleep.
Washington: 17 points (7-11 FG) and 5 rebounds
Nembhard: 8 points (3-5 FG) and 5 assists
On a night scant with offense for Dallas, these were two bright spots. If Washington can take a step forward offensively and Nembhard can provide meaningful minutes off the bench at point guard, the Mavericks’ offense can be much better.
Put all this together and it’s easy to paint a grim picture, but it is still just one game. Cooper Flagg will be great, but unless Dallas can figure out the offensive flow and be more disciplined on defense, he may not see playoff basketball his rookie season.