Locked On Mavericks Hit - Quick Takes on the Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks matched the New York Knicks’ offer for Moussa Cisse, but the Mavs have barely played him even with Dereck Lively II, Santi Aldama and Morez Johnson Jr. missing time. Why are Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving and the Mavs going small instead of giving the 6'11 athlete a real look in the NBA rotation?

Nick Angstadt breaks down why Dusty May has experimented with everything this season except Moussa Cisse. He looks at PJ Washington, Cooper Flagg and Naji Marshall playing the 5, the Mavs’ rebounding and rim-protection issues, and Marc Stein’s report that the Knicks...

The Dallas Mavericks matched the New York Knicks’ offer for Moussa Cisse, but the Mavs have barely played him even with Dereck Lively II, Santi Aldama and Morez Johnson Jr. missing time. Why are Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving and the Mavs going small instead of giving the 6'11 athlete a real look in the NBA rotation?

Nick Angstadt breaks down why Dusty May has experimented with everything this season except Moussa Cisse. He looks at PJ Washington, Cooper Flagg and Naji Marshall playing the 5, the Mavs’ rebounding and rim-protection issues, and Marc Stein’s report that the Knicks...

The Dallas Mavericks are one of only eight NBA teams ranked top 12 in both offensive rating and defensive rating, and balance has become the Mavs’ secret to success this season. Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving lead the Dallas Mavericks offense, while offensive rebounding, free throw rate and 3-point shooting will decide how high the Mavs can climb in the NBA standings.

Nick Angstadt breaks down how Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving and head coach Dusty May have built a balanced Mavericks team that sits alongside the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Me...

A new Marc Stein report says Masai Ujiri alone made the call to fire Jason Kidd in the name of starting over, and one year after Nico Harrison’s firing the Dallas Mavericks have a clear new direction under Dusty May. Was moving on from Jason Kidd the right move for the Mavs, Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving and the team’s NBA future?

Nick Angstadt breaks down why Mavs Team President Masai Ujiri wanted a college coach who would live in the gym, and why Dusty May fits the culture Ujiri is building. He explains why Cooper Flag...

Max Christie, Zaccharie Risacher and Marcus Sasser are losing minutes in the Dallas Mavericks rotation as Caleb Martin, Santi Aldama and Walter Clayton Jr. take bigger roles around Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving. What’s driving the Mavs rotation changes this NBA season, and what does Dusty May’s play-well-or-sit approach mean for minutes going forward?

Nick Angstadt breaks down the minutes trends for Max Christie, Zaccharie Risacher and Marcus Sasser, from Christie playing 30 minutes a night early to 5 minutes against the Indiana Pacers. He explains why Caleb Martin’s defense and connectivity in the Kyrie Irving–Naji Marshall...

The Dallas Mavericks should be buyers, not sellers, at the NBA trade deadline. Cooper Flagg is playing like a top 15 NBA player and Kyrie Irving is ahead of schedule in his return from an ACL injury. What Mavs trade could land another scorer, and why is there no reason for the Dallas Mavericks to tank when their pick is top-2 protected to the Charlotte Hornets?

Nick Angstadt explains why the Mavs should combine contracts like Zaccharie Risacher’s, Max Christie’s, Caleb Martin’s and Marcus Sasser’s into a deadline trade for a scorer instead of chasing a Big 3...

Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May has the Mavs off to a 7-4 start, and Kyrie Irving says May’s willingness to confront players and hold them to a standard is a big reason why. How is Dusty May managing the Mavs rotation, and what does it mean for Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks’ NBA season?

Nick Angstadt breaks down Kyrie Irving’s postgame quote after the Mavs’ win over the Indiana Pacers, plus a Santi Aldama moment that showed May’s standard in action. Nick digs into how Dusty May is juggling minutes for Caleb...

Kyrie Irving revealed how the Dallas Mavericks shut out preseason predictions and NBA trade rumors, and why the Mavs’ locker room is bought in after a 7-4 start. What did Kyrie Irving tell Cooper Flagg and the rest of the Dallas Mavericks roster after the win over the Indiana Pacers, and how has it shaped the Mavs’ season?

Nick Angstadt breaks down Kyrie Irving’s postgame press conference and what his leadership means for the Dallas Mavericks. Nick looks at a tough opening stretch against the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunde...

Santi Aldama is back for the Dallas Mavericks, and his floor spacing, ball handling and competitive fire are opening up the Mavs bench alongside Morez Johnson Jr. and Naji Marshall. Is the 7-footer the piece that makes this NBA roster work around Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, and was he worth the protected first-round pick?

Nick Angstadt breaks down Santi Aldama’s 12-point night against the Brooklyn Nets, how the Aldama-Morez Johnson Jr. pairing changes the geometry of the second unit, and where Walter Clayton Jr., Zaccharie Risacher and Caleb Martin fit in. Nick also shares Dusty Ma...

Cooper Flagg revealed his peanut butter and jelly secret after a Dallas Mavericks win over the Brooklyn Nets, crediting the Mavs strength and medical staff for keeping him right. What does Cooper Flagg’s 25-point, 12-assist night say about how he’s finding what works for him in the NBA as the Mavs build around him and Kyrie Irving?

Nick Angstadt breaks down Cooper Flagg’s answers to Christian Clark and Leslie McCaslin, why his praise for the Mavs strength and medical staff matters, and how Flagg went from scorer to playmaker against the Nets. Nick also explai...

Morez Johnson Jr. broke out for the Dallas Mavericks against the Utah Jazz with 13 points, 17 rebounds and 10 offensive rebounds in his first NBA game without a minutes restriction. Can the Mavs rookie big man and Santi Aldama give Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving and Dusty May the rebounding edge Dallas has been missing?

Nick Angstadt breaks down Morez Johnson Jr.’s tone-setting night, how it stacks up with Moussa Cisse’s 20-rebound game last season, and why Dusty May keeps asking for a couple of extra rebounds every quarter. Nick also explains how Santi Aldama changes the Mavs’ geomet...

Cooper Flagg is carrying the Dallas Mavericks: the Mavs outscore opponents by 8.4 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor and get outscored by 16.3 with him off. How do Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving and the Mavs’ bench units stack up, and could Dallas really be a 55-win NBA team if Flagg never sat?

Nick Angstadt breaks down Cooper Flagg’s on-off numbers from Cleaning the Glass and compares his impact to SGA, Nikola Jokic, Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama. He digs into how Flagg and Kyrie Irving perform together and apart, and why the Mavs stru...

The Dallas Mavericks are allowing a 35.9% offensive rebounding rate, 29th in the NBA, but is it a real Mavs weakness, or did early games against the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs skew the numbers? What does the rebounding picture mean for Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving, and Dusty May’s zone defense as the NBA schedule eases up?

Nick Angstadt explains why the Mavs’ rebounding numbers look worse than the problem really is: 4 of Dallas’s first 8 games came against Houston and San Antonio, including Victor Wembanyama. Nick also looks at the other board-crashing teams on the early...

Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May closed the Mavs’ win over the San Antonio Spurs with two-way guard Walter Clayton Jr. alongside Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington and Naji Marshall in a small ball NBA lineup. Why did the Mavs trust Walter Clayton Jr. over veterans in crunch time, and will this Dallas Mavericks closing lineup stick against the Utah Jazz?

Nick Angstadt breaks down Walter Clayton Jr.’s 8-point, 5-assist, 0-turnover night and why it showed exactly what Dusty May trusts in him. Nick explains why Caleb Martin, Zaccharie Risacher, Daniel Gafford, Morez Johnson Jr. and...

The Dallas Mavericks lost to the San Antonio Spurs by one point after Victor Wembanyama dropped 52 points, 24 rebounds and 8 blocks, but the Mavs erased a 17-point halftime deficit and had the final shot. What did Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving and the Mavs show the NBA in a comeback that nearly took down one of the league’s most talented teams?

Nick Angstadt breaks down why the Dallas Mavericks’ fight against the Spurs was so impressive, even in a loss. Nick looks at Dusty May’s explanation of Kyrie Irving’s final shot, Cooper Flagg’s 1-for-11 first half and h...

The Dallas Mavericks sat Kyrie Irving against the San Antonio Spurs and the Sacramento Kings, and after the Mavs lost to the Kings by 15, the NBA load management debate around their 34-year-old star took off. Is Kyrie Irving’s rest schedule a hidden injury setback, or a simple plan from the Mavs to keep Kyrie fresh next to Cooper Flagg for a playoff run?

Nick Angstadt breaks down why Kyrie Irving’s load management is simpler than it looks, and how the Mavs are using the schedule to get him the most full days off. Nick walks through the...

Naji Marshall has had an up-and-down start as the Dallas Mavericks’ backup point guard, and the Mavs went 3-0 in the games he missed. Is it time to worry about Naji Marshall’s NBA fit next to Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, or is the Mavs sample size still too small?

Nick Angstadt breaks down Naji Marshall’s numbers so far, from his 24 assists to 8 turnovers to his 3-for-15 start from three. Nick digs into databallr lineup data showing the Mavs are +16 per 100 possessions with Naji Marshall and Cooper Flagg on the floor together, and what Marshall needs...

Walter Clayton Jr. scored 20 points off the bench as the Dallas Mavericks lost to the Sacramento Kings, giving the Mavs a bright spot with Kyrie Irving out and Cooper Flagg cold from three. Is the two-way guard the NBA answer Dallas needs, or a sign of a bigger Mavs roster problem?

Nick Angstadt breaks down why Walter Clayton Jr. is both an answer and a problem for the Dallas Mavericks, from his read-and-react fit in Dusty May’s offense to his path to a standard contract. Nick also digs into the Mavs’ shooting slump with Max Christie, Naji...

The Dallas Mavericks lost to the winless Sacramento Kings, and with Kyrie Irving out, Cooper Flagg had his worst game of the NBA season, shooting 3-for-19 with 6 turnovers. What does the Mavs’ 96.7 offensive rating against a bottom-3 NBA defense say about Dallas Mavericks playmaking, shot creation and half-court offense?

Nick Angstadt breaks down why Cooper Flagg’s floater, passing and ball security weren’t there against the Kings, and why the Mavs leaned almost entirely on free throws to score. Nick explains how the Dallas Mavericks lost the ball movement that made their offense special, what Naji Marsha...

Max Christie has started every game for the Dallas Mavericks, but Zaccharie Risacher’s on-off numbers next to Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving tell a different story early in the NBA season. Are the Mavs headed for a starting lineup change, or is Dusty May sticking with Max Christie as his minutes keep dropping?

Nick Angstadt breaks down the Max Christie vs. Zaccharie Risacher battle, from the Mavs’ +20.2 net rating with Risacher on the floor to Christie’s 31% three-point shooting and shrinking minutes. Nick looks at why Dusty May has played Risacher only 7 minutes with Cooper Flagg, Kyrie...

Would Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Davis have been a title-winning Big 3 for the Dallas Mavericks, or did the Mavs make the right NBA trade by moving on? From Anthony Davis’s injury history and fit in the Mavs’ new passing offense to second apron, luxury tax, and repeater tax flexibility, here’s why the Dallas Mavericks’ Big 3 dream wouldn’t have worked in today’s NBA.

Nick Angstadt breaks down why Anthony Davis played just 57.9% of possible games since 2021 and why his game doesn’t fit the way Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving, and the Dallas Mavericks play...

Caleb Martin closed the game for the Dallas Mavericks against Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets, and the Mavs’ NBA rotation may never look the same around Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving. What does Dusty May trusting Caleb Martin in crunch time mean for Max Christie, Zaccharie Risacher and the deepest Dallas Mavericks bench in years?

Nick Angstadt breaks down why Dusty May’s “meritocracy” put Caleb Martin on the floor late, including the corner three that tied the game at 88 and his physical defense on Kevin Durant. Nick explains why Max Christie is the player most likely t...

The Dallas Mavericks handed the 5-0 Houston Rockets their first loss of the NBA season as Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving combined for 68 of the Mavs’ 116 points. Kyrie Irving scored 35 points with a fourth-quarter takeover, and Cooper Flagg added 33 points on 13 of 15 from two, including the clutch bucket that sealed the Mavs’ win.

Nick Angstadt breaks down how Kyrie Irving carried the Dallas Mavericks with Cooper Flagg on the bench, and why it felt like the night Kyrie proved he’s 100% back from his ACL injury. Nick also covers Cooper Flagg’s 10-straight-point run in the first quarter...

Zaccharie Risacher put up 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 offensive rebounds against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder, and Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May called it a masterpiece from a Mavs forward who came into the game leading the NBA in stocks. Is Risacher the best offseason acquisition the Mavs made, and is he the perimeter defender Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving have needed beside them?

Nick Angstadt breaks down Zaccharie Risacher’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Dusty May’s “masterpiece” and “cyborg” quotes, and why the Mavs picking up Risacher’s $17 million option looks like a bargain. Nic...

The Dallas Mavericks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder behind a 26-point, 8-assist, zero-turnover night from Cooper Flagg, moving the Mavs to 3-2 in an NBA schedule packed with playoff teams. Is Cooper Flagg already an All-NBA level star, and how are he and Kyrie Irving building a Mavs offense that racked up 30 assists against just 9 turnovers?

Nick Angstadt breaks down how Cooper Flagg outplayed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and why his leap is arriving faster than expected. Nick explains how Flagg, Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington, and Zaccharie Risacher are keeping the ball moving in Dusty May’s offense, and wh...

The Dallas Mavericks are deep into Dusty May’s early-season experiments, from small ball lineups built around Cooper Flagg to a zone defense the Mavs run more than any other team in the NBA. How are Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg, and the Dallas Mavericks rotation taking shape as new lineups, guard combinations, and defensive looks get tested?

Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) breaks down every experiment Dusty May has run so far, including small ball lineups with PJ Washington, Naji Marshall, Zaccharie Risacher, and Max Christie without Daniel Gafford on the floor. Nick also looks at the rotating backup gu...

Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May is giving Zaccharie Risacher a long leash despite a 17% start from three, and Kyrie Irving wants the Mavs wing to keep shooting. Can Risacher’s defense, rebounding, and NBA-leading stocks turn him into the Mavs’ answer to Mikal Bridges alongside Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving?

Nick Angstadt breaks down Dusty May’s development plan for Zaccharie Risacher after the Dallas Mavericks’ win over the Miami Heat. Nick explains how Risacher’s shooting history with the Atlanta Hawks points to a bounce back, and how his 8 steals, 8 blocks, and 6 offensive rebounds are impacting...

Dallas Mavericks two-way guard Walter Clayton Jr. scored 15 points in 17 minutes off the bench as the Mavs beat the Miami Heat, earning praise from Cooper Flagg and closing minutes in Dallas’ first clutch game of the NBA season. Can Walter Clayton Jr. become a key shooter next to Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, and will the Memphis Grizzlies regret cutting him?

Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) breaks down why the Memphis Grizzlies will regret letting Walter Clayton Jr. go and how his connection to Dusty May helped the Mavs land him. Nick explains why Dusty May played Walter Clayton Jr...

Cooper Flagg took over in crunch time as the Dallas Mavericks beat Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, and the Miami Heat in a clutch NBA win. Is the Mavs star ready for an All-Star or All-NBA leap alongside Kyrie Irving this season?

Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) breaks down Cooper Flagg’s biggest late-game plays against the Miami Heat, from his cut and finish over Bobby Portis to the and-one on Pelle Larsson and his pull-up three at the top of the key. He also explains how PJ Washington, Max Christie, Daniel Gafford, and Morez Johnson Jr. helped create spacing on...

Marcus Sasser and Sergio De Larrea are forcing their way into the Dallas Mavericks rotation, but more minutes for the Mavs’ ball handlers next to Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving will come at a cost. Should Max Christie and Zaccharie Risacher lose NBA minutes after slow 3-point starts, and what happens to the Dallas Mavericks rotation when Santi Aldama and Caleb Martin return?

Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) answers the Comment of the Day on whether the Mavs should bench Max Christie and play Sergio De Larrea and Marcus Sasser more. He breaks down Marcus Sasser’s hot 3-point shoo...

Dallas Mavericks rookie Morez Johnson Jr. has been on a minutes restriction all NBA season, changing how Mavs fans should judge his start next to Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving. What has Morez Johnson Jr. shown at center for the Dallas Mavericks, and what does his shin injury mean for the Mavs rotation?

Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) breaks down head coach Dusty May’s reveal that Morez Johnson Jr. has been on a minutes restriction since opening night and why it reshapes how we view the Mavs rookie. Nick looks at the good, including Morez’s +21 night against the...

Sergio De Larrea scored 21 points as the Dallas Mavericks fell to the San Antonio Spurs without Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg, giving Mavs fans a real bright spot in an early-season NBA loss. Did Sergio De Larrea and Marcus Sasser just prove the Mavs found a reliable bench backcourt for the rest of the NBA season?

Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) breaks down Sergio De Larrea’s 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists against De’Aaron Fox and the San Antonio Spurs, from his steady jump shot to his passing after attacking closeouts. Nick also explains why Dusty May is trusting Marc...

The Dallas Mavericks beat the Indiana Pacers in the Pacers’ home opener as Kyrie Irving scored 24 points in 24 minutes and the Mavs rallied around Cooper Flagg after a hard foul by Aaron Nesmith. How did the Mavs hold on in this NBA matchup after Kyrie Irving fouled out and Cooper Flagg left the game?

Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) breaks down Kyrie Irving’s postgame message about protecting Cooper Flagg and why Naji Marshall sprinted from half court to stand up for the Dallas Mavericks rookie. Nick explains how Max Christie and Naji Marshall closed the game late, why Marc...

Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving says he must go into attack mode from the opening tip after Houston Rockets double teams took him out of the Mavs’ first half, as Cooper Flagg and the Mavs look to bounce back in the NBA. Is a Kyrie Irving minutes restriction and Dusty May’s short rotation stints holding back the Dallas Mavericks offense?

Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) breaks down Kyrie Irving’s comments about pushing the pace, losing himself in his instincts, and no longer easing his way into games. Nick walks through Kyrie’s stint-by-stint minutes against the Houston Rockets...

Kyrie Irving says Cooper Flagg needs to be the voice of the Dallas Mavericks after the Mavs went quiet in their season-opening loss to the Houston Rockets. Can the 19-year-old NBA star become the leader the Mavs need on both ends of the floor while Kyrie Irving calls him his co-pilot?

Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) breaks down Kyrie Irving’s comments on Cooper Flagg stepping up as the Dallas Mavericks’ on-court voice and why that matters most on defense. He also looks at Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg’s chemistry, the 21 and a half minutes they shared against the Ho...

Cooper Flagg scored 32 points in the Dallas Mavericks season opener, setting the NBA record for the most points by a teenager in a season opener. What does this historic night mean for Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving, and the future of the Mavs?

Nick Angstadt breaks down Cooper Flagg’s record-setting performance at just 19 years and 304 days old and explains why his age is what truly sets him apart in the NBA. Nick digs into Cooper Flagg’s growth around the rim, his floater, his eight made shots in and around the paint, and his 13 free throw attempts. How...

The Dallas Mavericks have their first offensive problem of the NBA season after Kyrie Irving was doubled and pressured all first half in the Mavs’ season opener against the Houston Rockets. Can Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving take over earlier, and can the Mavs’ share-the-ball offense work when defenses load up on their two stars?

Nick Angstadt breaks down how the Houston Rockets blitzed Kyrie Irving, why Cooper Flagg has to be the release valve after his 32-point night, and why the Dallas Mavericks can’t wait until the third quarter to lean on their stars. Nick digs i...

The Dallas Mavericks have two All-Star-level creators in Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, but can the Mavs find enough ball handling beyond them to start the NBA season? Head coach Dusty May says ball handling will be a cumulative effort as the Mavs prepare for heavy ball pressure from the Houston Rockets in the opener.

Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) breaks down Dusty May’s quote of the day and why the Mavs’ biggest strength on offense might also be their biggest issue. Nick looks at how Naji Marshall, Marcus Sasser, Sergio de Larrea, PJ Washington, Max Christie, Zaccharie Risa...

The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly bringing in former first-round pick Walter Clayton Jr. on a two-way contract, giving the Mavs another shooter and ball handler behind Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg. With no draft picks left to use, how are the Dallas Mavericks building their roster through low-risk NBA swings like Walter Clayton Jr.?

Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) breaks down why Walter Clayton Jr. fits the way the Mavs have to build, from the Marc Stein report that he would replace John Poulakidas to his elite catch-and-shoot numbers. Nick connects Clayton to the Mavs’ other swings on Zaccharie Ri...

The Dallas Mavericks open the NBA season without contract extensions for Dereck Lively II, Max Christie, and Marcus Sasser, putting major pressure on key Mavs players around Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving. Which Dallas Mavericks players have the most on the line this NBA season, and how could their futures with the Mavs change by next summer?

Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) breaks down why Dereck Lively II has more at stake than anyone on the Mavs as he heads toward restricted free agency after injury setbacks. Nick also explains how Max Christie could land a Christian Braun-style payday...