06-07-2026, 08:38 PM
If Cooper wasn't as good as he is at handling the ball and playmaking, a PG would be a necessity. Period, Full Stop. It's going to be the reason why Burries, can work well with Flagg. But as good as Flagg is, and assuming Naji is retained, Kyrie is healthy and Burries can indeed play the PG role well enough -- Full court ball pressure by opposing teams would cause problems for the Mavs. Only one of the guys can still have the wits to play-make effectively under extreme ball pressure, the rest would just be in a state of -- "how do I get the ball cross past midcourt without being stolen".
This is the difference between a true PG and a make-shit/converted PG. The instinct is built-in. Not saying, the capability of playmaking under extreme ball pressure isn't something that can be learned, but one would rather have that PG feature built in on your supposed PG on day 1.
And then, there's also play direction. Understanding and making the right reads is what a decent PG does. A true PG does not only "understand" what is happening on the court, he knows the play 2 steps ahead before it happens. In a way, he forces the play and makes it happen, while a non-PG only takes what the defense gives. One actively exploits, one is reactive.
True PGs aren't necessarily dazzling ball handlers with advance dribble moves. True PGs may not necessarily be speed demons too and can be a one man fastbreak, or press breaker. Handles and speed can both be present in combo guards and shooting guards and offense oriented PGs, but a true PG is adept at passing. They know exactly when and where the ball should go. Devin Harris is a PG but can't throw an entry pass. This thing matters.
This is the difference between a true PG and a make-shit/converted PG. The instinct is built-in. Not saying, the capability of playmaking under extreme ball pressure isn't something that can be learned, but one would rather have that PG feature built in on your supposed PG on day 1.
And then, there's also play direction. Understanding and making the right reads is what a decent PG does. A true PG does not only "understand" what is happening on the court, he knows the play 2 steps ahead before it happens. In a way, he forces the play and makes it happen, while a non-PG only takes what the defense gives. One actively exploits, one is reactive.
True PGs aren't necessarily dazzling ball handlers with advance dribble moves. True PGs may not necessarily be speed demons too and can be a one man fastbreak, or press breaker. Handles and speed can both be present in combo guards and shooting guards and offense oriented PGs, but a true PG is adept at passing. They know exactly when and where the ball should go. Devin Harris is a PG but can't throw an entry pass. This thing matters.
![[-]](https://www.mavsboard.com/images/collapse.png)