The Dallas Mavericks are using D’Angelo Russell in a surprising role to begin the season.
With Kyrie Irving recovering from a torn ACL, many expected head coach Jason Kidd to start D’Angelo Russell at point guard.
However, Coach Kidd took a different approach and installed rookie Cooper Flagg as the PG.
Kidd played with this lineup against the San Antonio Spurs, led by Victor Wembaneyama, in a 125-92 loss.
In the loss, Russell made 1-of-6 field goals off the bench, but had just six points, two rebounds, and three assists.
It was certainly a memorable debut for Russell. On the other hand, Flagg also did not score in the first half and struggled as a starting point guard.
Despite this, Coach Kidd reiterated that there are no concrete plans for Russell to start at point guard going forward.
“We’re just going to keep him as a basketball player. We’re not looking at a starter or a sixth man. He’s going to get enough playing time to help us win. That’s why he’s here.
“That’s what we believe, his skill set is that he can set up for his teammates and he can also score,” Kidd told the media.
The Mavs head coach added, “So we’re not going to classify him as a sixth man. We’re going to use him as a basketball player.”
“Some nights he might be the starter, some nights he might be the seventh or eighth guy off the bench.”
Now, this is a bold choice and one that Russell may struggle with during his time with the Mavericks.
Russell faced criticism even before his tenure with the Mavericks began. But Dillow has always had high praise for the Mavs and continues to show that optimism.
“I just want to be a basketball player every time I go to a game. At the end of the day, it’s all about winning and finishing the game, but whatever I can do.”
“That’s my goal as well, to finish the game when needed and always impact the win,” Russell said.
It’s a positive approach, but if the Mavericks hit a slump, it might not take long for Dillow to change his mind.
At the end of the day, playing Russell as a sixth man just to keep Flagg at point guard seems to have more cons than pros for the Mavericks.