01-22-2026, 12:23 PM
(01-22-2026, 10:44 AM)Smitty Wrote: I just think PJ and Flagg can fit together is all. You can call one of them the 3 and one of them the 4. It's never mattered to me. I call them both Wings. They are both versatile defenders that can guard up or down. They both have playmaking ability. Flagg more than PJ, so he can technically be called the "3" on offense if you'd like. PJ shoots well enough from the outside to also be called a "3", if you like. Both are good weakside rim protectors. Both are good help defenders overall. Both are good perimeter defenders (PJ better than Flagg at the moment). If both shoot above league average from 3PT on good volume in the same season, they are a great 3/4 (Wing) combo.
What both need RIGHT THIS SECOND is good PG play. Kyrie helps. The Mavs FRP this year could help next season. Nembhard improving Year 2 could help. But the idea that Flagg and PJ aren't a good fit at the 3/4, I can't get there... Naji, I'm already there.
The idea that Flagg will only ever be a PF for his career. I can't get there either. Right now today? Sure. His strength and weaknesses call for most of his time to be as the Big Forward.
I think Flagg is so easy to build around. You can really build a team that can morph into different play styles with Flagg being the lead.
Personally, I prefer him on the perimeter now rather than battling with the big physical, power forwards. That will probably change as he gets stronger, but I think I still want him on the perimeter. His height and natural strength is going to make him so hard for smaller player to guard him.
It is really tough to get a feel for PJ this year (same for Gaff an AD). Ideally, you want to see players play 15-20 games in a row. These three players have been in and out so much that it is tough to build anything. I am sure you are also trying to get back into the groove an fully not trusting your body, so it is tough to make concrete evaluations. One of the things I worry about PJ is his defense on the perimeter. He seems much more comfortable dropping into the lane than chasing smaller players. If this is true, I think it makes him less of a match with Flagg. Ideally, you would want a player with is flexible to defend multiple positions.
I have gone back and forth on Marshall. Still don't think I have landed on either side yet.