James finished with 8 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
What can we decipher from the Flaggs first game as a Maverick? It wont show up in the box score because Dallas center Moussa Cisse couldnt finish, but its not hard to imagine Dereck Lively II or Daniel Gafford converting that pass into a rim-rattling dunk.
Flaggs combination of skill and feel also created the games most important sequence. For context, the only NBA players to average similar numbers 7-4-1-1 in those categories last season were do-it-all forwards Scottie Barnes and Jalen Johnson. The players in NBA history with the most such seasons are Kevin Garnett 10 times, Giannis Antetokounmpo 8 and Chris Webber 7.
Flagg essentially matched his college averages in 32 minutes Thursday, with 6 rebounds, 4 assists — he wouldve had more if his teammates had knocked down more 3-pointers after Flaggs kickout passes — 3 steals and 1 block. That kind of cross-matching defensive assignments wont be an option when he plays alongside Davis and either Lively or the 6-10 Gafford, who can punish smaller defenders in a way nobody else on Dallas summer roster can.
Against shorter opponents, Flaggs size should convey multiple benefits. Hes clearly following a similar playbook with Flagg.
At the defensive end, Flaggs size allows him to make highlight plays as Kram quantified.
