01-22-2026, 01:13 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 don't think PJW is anything like what I'd call a "wing," so my guess is that we just use that term differently. Flagg, maybe, but again, that's not the path for him I'd choose.
The more ball-handling skills, perimeter shooting and general "wing" play Flagg develops, the MORE advantage he'll have as "the big forward." That's the whole idea. That's how he'll be special, imo. I might be in the minority, not sure, but I feel pretty strongly about this. I love PJW as a player (was one of the only people who wanted him here) but I have seen more than enough of him trying to do "wing" things. I agree he's a fairly versatile and valuable defender, but unless he wants to hang out in the corner and shoot (and improves at it pretty significantly), I don't love the fit. Flagg needs space.
Totally agree about the PG angle. 100%.