Sometimes, it just takes one little thing for the puzzle pieces to fall into place and provide a little peace of mind. It was seeing Khris Middleton coaching Cooper Flagg earlier this week that did it for me. Now finally we can call it a season with peace of mind, was the thought that popped into my head.
Let me explain. After a discombobulated season, a half-tanking experiment while still trying to keep a future superstar happy and motivated, this little scene earlier this week grabbed my attention. Was that Khris Middleton, NBA Champion and versatile post player extraordinaire, coaching versatile rookie extraordinaire on the details of the post-up fadeaway?
And all of a sudden, I didn’t feel pain and discomfort at the thought of the Mavericks having to balance developing what could be the face of the next generation while needing to lose at the same time.
The fear of teaching young players bad habits ranks as a top three nightmare for me. But Khris Middleton has nothing to do with that and everything to do with my lifted spirits and change of mind.
Because Middleton in Dallas being a versatile vet for the versatile rookie is exactly what Flagg needs. What the Mavericks need.
Don’t get me wrong, Kyrie Irving is and has been a great mentor and vet for Flagg, and especially on leadership and mental toughness and balance, the point guard is as good as they come. Watch him coach Flagg on finishing around the rim:
Anthony Davis is another vet, who was around Flagg this year, but he is a pure center - despite his own aspirations - and Flagg is not.
And knowing how to work the post - in mismatches, to save energy and to prevent the hits Flagg has been dealing with when constantly going downhill - is incredibly valuable right now.
Players like Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson are constant showcases for how footwork on the post is an extremely useful tool for the versatile player.
If you watch Middleton’s fadeaway movements on the post here, they’re a little reminiscent of how Flagg moves in the paint already. And this similarity is why Middleton being around Flagg could be exactly what the rookie needs right now.
However long Middleton may be around the team, it’s encouraging and reassuring to see him working with Cooper Flagg like this. As Dallas keeps finding ways to develop Flagg and his skills for the future, finding new ways to protect and challenge him will help keep him motivated at this time of adversity for a competitor like him.
It’s a small thing in the short run, but it will be a big thing in the long run.