Cooper Flagg delivered a career-high 35 points against the Los Angeles Clippers.
In the Dallas Mavericks‘ 114-110 victory, Cooper Flagg didn’t attempt any three-pointers but shot an efficient 59.1% from the field.
The career performance helped him break LeBron James’ record as the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 35 points in a single game.
Kawhi Leonard identifies Jason Kidd’s spacing scheme as key to unleashing Cooper Flagg
Following the loss, Clippers star Kawhi Leonard revealed the strategic approach Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd employed to maximize Flagg’s offensive production.
“Jason Kidd did a good job of spreading the floor out, letting him attack, get to his spots. [He] got to the free throw line, made mids, got fouled,” Leonard explained.
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Most of Flagg’s scoring came from drives and mid-range pull-up jumpers. The number one pick attacked the rim aggressively, drawing 11 free throw attempts and converting nine.
This strategy of opening driving lanes by spreading the floor with shooters represents Kidd’s most effective approach to maximizing the 18-year-old’s offensive potential.
Paint attacks provide solution to Cooper Flagg’s perimeter shooting struggles
Flagg hasn’t been an effective floor-spacer, shooting just 25.3% from three-point range. Using him as a primary ball-handler and playmaker, as Kidd typically does, has limited his scoring production.
Therefore, utilizing him as a driver who attacks the rim and takes mid-range shots in the paint area represents the optimal solution.
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Flagg possesses the physical presence necessary to succeed with this approach, and he is strong enough to face the defenders.
Flagg currently averages 16.7 points per game. This new strategic emphasis on paint attacks rather than perimeter shooting could significantly increase his scoring output throughout the season.