Game 23: Miami Heat (14-7) @ Dallas Mavericks (7-15) | 7:30pm

[Winter]

I'm hoping after watching the team win 3 games in a row with him off the court and particularly how well AD and Flagg are playing together that he might defer more when he gets back.

Yes, things have maybe changed a little since he was taken off the court. I'm hopeful too.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I'm hoping after watching the team win 3 games in a row with him off the court and particularly how well AD and Flagg are playing together that he might defer more when he gets back.

This seems like a reasonable assumption.  PJ is at a career high in attempts per game and attempts per 36.  It makes sense.  Without AD and with a rookie as the second best player, he probably should try to shoulder more of the scoring load.  But, circumstances have changed.

I think it may be just as much a Flagg deferring issue as it is a PJ issue.  The Flagg of recent games and the Flagg earlier in the season are completely different players…especially as it relates to deferring to more tenured players.  I kind of like how Flagg is picking his spots.  He is so clutch down the stretch as is Kyrie.  It would bode well to have two guys like that late in close games.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I used the term "soft tank" to mean that they are not actively trying to lose, 

A 65% winning percentage from here would only get them to 47 wins…which would have been good enough for 9th last year.  I might call it “optionality”.  If everyone is healthy and this thing gels, being in the 8th or 9th slot isn’t so bad.  But, if things don’t work out, it is easy enough (as we’ve seen) to prioritize ping pong balls.

[mvossman]

This seems like a reasonable assumption.  PJ is at a career high in attempts per game and attempts per 36.  It makes sense.  Without AD and with a rookie as the second best player, he probably should try to shoulder more of the scoring load.  But, circumstances have changed.

I think it may be just as much a Flagg deferring issue as it is a PJ issue.  The Flagg of recent games and the Flagg earlier in the season are completely different players…especially as it relates to deferring to more tenured players.  I kind of like how Flagg is picking his spots.  He is so clutch down the stretch as is Kyrie.  It would bode well to have two guys like that late in close games.

Yep.  His two point attempts went down when he moved from a tanking team to playing with Luka.  Since the trade his two point attempts and unassisted attempts have gone way up.  Lets see if he has seen enough to dial it back.  I agree that part of it has been Flagg deferring.  Lets see if he has experienced enough to stay aggressive.

Regardless, its starting to look like both PJ and Flagg are best suited at the 4.  I really like PJ, but we are seeing hints that he might not be the best long term fit next to Flagg.

[BigDirk41]

This seems like a reasonable assumption.  PJ is at a career high in attempts per game and attempts per 36.  It makes sense.  Without AD and with a rookie as the second best player, he probably should try to shoulder more of the scoring load.  But, circumstances have changed.

I think it may be just as much a Flagg deferring issue as it is a PJ issue.  The Flagg of recent games and the Flagg earlier in the season are completely different players…especially as it relates to deferring to more tenured players.  I kind of like how Flagg is picking his spots.  He is so clutch down the stretch as is Kyrie.  It would bode well to have two guys like that late in close games.

PJ will be fine if he knows he's the #3 and if he can play SF, which I'm not sure on, but we'll see. . He's just tried to do too much this year. Flagg has been much better with PJ off the court. I like PJ as a player, but only as a high energy guy that shoots open 3s and makes hustle plays. He doesn't need to call his own number. He's not that type of player.

[Nowitzki Way]

Yep.  His two point attempts went down when he moved from a tanking team to playing with Luka.  Since the trade his two point attempts and unassisted attempts have gone way up.  Lets see if he has seen enough to dial it back.  I agree that part of it has been Flagg deferring.  Lets see if he has experienced enough to stay aggressive.

Regardless, its starting to look like both PJ and Flagg are best suited at the 4.  I really like PJ, but we are seeing hints that he might not be the best long term fit next to Flagg.

P.J. could be the piece to move to balance things. Even if/when AD gets hurt you'll have Gafford/Lively at the 5.

[Reunion Mav]

PJ and Flagg are both excellent front court players. I trust both of and there coach to work out the balance. I find it ridiculous to consider moving excellent and well priced talent to seek out balance. We need all of the talent we can get.

[Nowitzki Way]

PJ and Flagg are both excellent front court players. I trust both of and there coach to work out the balance. I find it ridiculous to consider moving excellent and well priced talent to seek out balance. We need all of the talent we can get.

I see it as trading talent for talent. Not losing any talent, just swapping someone of equal value that fits better.

[Winter]

I see it as trading talent for talent. Not losing any talent, just swapping someone of equal value that fits better.

As much as I like PJ, I'm willing to trade him if that piece really matters.

[Chicagojk]

PJ is not a SF, but I am no where close saying him and Flagg cannot thrive next to each other. I am also no where close saying Flagg is best as a PF.

The Mavs are playing at a faster pace and the ball movement is much better. PJ should be able to thrive playing at this place and passes right in the shooters pocket. He just needs to defer a little on creation. We will see how they fit, but I think playing with a passing point guard is going to get him some great looks both at the three and in the lane. I think he could fit in better than Marshall playing with Nemby and others.

I think it is important not to pigeonhole Flagg. I think there is a good chance he is better as a pure wing than a PF his first few years in the league. The teams like Houston, SA, Denver and OKC have a lot of big bodies. I think he is going to be really tough for smaller players to defend. He should be tough for all players eventually to defend. That is the benefit of his versatility.

[Reunion Mav]

Well stated. If this season has shown us anything it is that several of our guys can show real growth in their games and that different groupings can vary the team performance so much. We are under no heavy pressure to win so we have time to just enjoy the process. I think it is impossible to know how this plays out but we do have plenty of talent as well as opportunities for growth from both individual players and the team. Recent events have me looking forward to watching our team again.

[ThisIStheYear]

I’d trade PJ. First, he has real value. Second, Naji is probably better at the 3. Third, he’s more or less in Flagg’s way. I just don’t like PJ as a small forward.

[SkenfromLMF]

I like Cooper at the 3. One of the biggest adjustments according Coop is the physicality of the game and that is more evident as a 4 rather than as a 3

[Smitty]

I like Cooper at the 3. One of the biggest adjustments according Coop is the physicality of the game and that is more evident as a 4 rather than as a 3

Flagg is absolutely a future “3” in today’s NBA. Not that it matters. WINGS are all interchangeable. Again, we spend way too much time arguing over stuff that is inconsequential.

[F Gump]

I’d trade PJ. First, he has real value.  Second, Naji is probably better at the 3.  Third, he’s more or less in Flagg’s way. I just don’t like PJ as a small forward.

I like most of this. PJW does have real value, and Naji is probably best suited to be a 3 (he's not a good choice to be the PG or a PF, that's for certain).

But I don't think PJW is in Flagg's way at all. Nor is there any risk of that, now or later.

Flagg and his development is this team's #1 priority in pretty much everything they do. Every move is weighed to make that happen. PJW can get in CF's way about as well as I can go stand on the interstate and impede a huge semi going 80 mph - it won't even get slowed down.

[Dirknows]

I like most of this. PJW does have real value, and Naji is probably best suited to be a 3 (he's not a good choice to be the PG or a PF, that's for certain).

But I don't think PJW is in Flagg's way at all. Nor is there any risk of that, now or later.

Flagg and his development is this team's #1 priority in pretty much everything they do. Every move is weighed to make that happen. PJW can get in CF's way about as well as I can go stand on the interstate and impede a huge semi going 80 mph - it won't even get slowed down.

Idk, is it coincidence or not that Cooper has had his more efficient scoring games since PJ has been out, and we are 3-0? PJ shoots a ton for a guy with not good shooting percentages.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

He might end up being good enough that it doesn't matter but I don't think he's a 3 at all.

His handle, his perimeter shooting, his quickness and athletic ability are all assets compared to other 4s. I think he will struggle with the lateral agility/quickness of NBA wings.

[Jakeospikez]

Idk, is it coincidence or not that Cooper has had his more efficient scoring games since PJ has been out, and we are 3-0? PJ shoots a ton for a guy with not good shooting percentages.

too much random overreaction to the most recent thing that happened. maybe it's from nembanyama and PJ has nothing to do with it? PJ is not the best creator obviously but he was forced into doing way too much of it. If he's playing with much better players or even just a Nemby he'll likely be fine like he was when he played with Luka and Kyrie.

[KillerLeft]

I think what people are referring to with PJW/Flagg is how they both (along with Davis) seem to want to operate from the elbow in. Mix in Gafford, Cisse, Lively, etc, and you’ve got as many as 4 players at a time (usually 3 - PJW, Flagg and Davis) all looking to get inside(ish). That’s not a bad thing, but it can be if the guys don’t know how to play together with a sense of synergy. What makes it a little more problematic is that none of them is a particularly good outside shooter, so, even when they understand when to press the issue and when to create space for each other, they’re not actually creating much space for each other.

I’m not ready to say PJW and flagg can’t play together, but I do think there’s something to the thought process of putting shooters around flag when possible to free him up inside.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I’d trade PJ. First, he has real value.  Second, Naji is probably better at the 3.  Third, he’s more or less in Flagg’s way. I just don’t like PJ as a small forward.

Agreed. He's better at the 4. He's not as good of a defender against the better 3's in the league.