Cooper Flagg’s latest outing against Anthony Edwards was supposed to be another glimpse at what makes the Mavericks rookie so exciting. Instead, it turned into a night fans won’t stop arguing about. Flagg had a slow start in Minnesota, hit a couple of solid early shots, then disappeared for long stretches. That’s when Mavericks fans snapped.
The numbers weren’t terrible, but they weren’t anything special. When Dallas lost control of the game, the blame shifted straight to head coach Jason Kidd. Online, the message was loud: “Luka isn’t here to save him anymore.” Fans felt Flagg’s usage didn’t match his potential.
Jason Kidd’s Controversial Rookie Usage Is Already Under Fire
Flagg came into the matchup confident after a strong outing against Portland, and Dallas stuck him in the starting lineup with Moussa Cisse, Max Christie, Brandon Williams, and P.J. Washington. He opened the night with a quick mid-range bucket, but that early spark didn’t last long.
He missed his next shot and barely touched the ball as Minnesota jumped out to a 34- 21 lead in the first quarter. Things stayed messy from there. Flagg knocked down a corner three in the second quarter, but Kidd pulled him shortly after, just as it looked like he was settling in. Flagg finished with 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting (2-for-3 from deep) and one rebound in 26 minutes.
Even when Flagg found a rhythm later, it didn’t matter. The Timberwolves blew the game open with a dominant third quarter, and fans couldn’t understand why the rookie wasn’t getting consistent minutes. The confusion turned into a bigger conversation about Kidd’s rotations and how they might be slowing Flagg’s development. Dallas is already dealing with a rough 4 to 11 start and needs all the young energy it can get.
Mavericks Fans Concerned Over Cooper Flagg’s Usage
Fans weren’t just upset about the box score. They felt Flagg was being used like a basic role‑player instead of a rookie who needs real minutes. One comment summed up the frustration with Jason Kidd’s decisions: “He’s always been mid to ass as a coach. Luka isn’t here to save him anymore.” Supporters felt Kidd’s rotations were hurting the rookie more than helping him.
Another fan argued that Flagg’s off-ball struggles were part of the problem, writing, “Flagg doesn’t think or move fast enough without the ball, which is why Kidd wants him bringing it up.” To them, the usage wasn’t random, just poorly executed.
Some pushed back by pointing to the opponent, noting that Minnesota’s defense exposed Flagg in ways Portland didn’t. One fan said, “Flagg looked much worse against the T‑Wolves who have a legitimate NBA defense, compared to the Blazers who lost their defensive‑minded head coach and played worse.” Supporters felt the difference in competition mattered, but not enough to justify the short leash.
Still, the loudest voices were focused on how Kidd used Flagg in the offense. One fan wrote, “That’s an understatement. Flagg has the potential to be an all‑time great pick and roll player. Just look at how many of the highlights below start with a screen. Yet Kidd has him standing in the corner, which is even worse than having him play PG.” Fans believed Flagg’s strengths were being wasted.
Dallas drafted Flagg to be a real part of its future, not someone who fades into the background. The talent is obvious and the flashes are consistent. What he needs now is trust, a steady role, and real minutes to grow. If Dallas wants to turn things around, giving Flagg that opportunity is the right place to start.
Published: Nov 18, 2025 04:11 pm