Kidd praised Flagg s leadership qualities and the No. 1 pick shouldered important responsibilities in adversity.

Although the Dallas Mavericks still failed to usher in the first victory of the new season, the improvement shown by rookie Flagg in the second game of his career became a bright spot in the team's bleak start. Compared with the cautiousness in his debut, this year's No. 2 pick obviously found a more comfortable rhythm in the next game against the Washington Wizards. He contributed 18 points and hit two three-pointers. He more actively used his physical advantage to attack the basket, showing his growth trajectory after adapting to the intensity of the NBA.

Looking at the two regular seasons, Flagg's environment shows clear duality. Thanks to the scarcity of offensive starting points in the Mavericks lineup, coach Kidd did not hesitate to give a large amount of the ball to the 18-year-old rookie, allowing him to enjoy a rare high-authority offensive role since the beginning of his career. However, behind the opportunities are severe challenges - the Mavericks' current barren offensive space is the worst in the league. The top-heavy lineup and lack of outside firepower make it difficult for Flagg to fully utilize his advantage in creating opportunities with his size. The data of 6 assists and 8 turnovers in the past two games is a reflection of the pain that must be experienced on the road to growth.

In the eyes of Coach Kidd, the All-American player from Duke University has a maturity beyond his age. "His coaching parents have shaped his excellent basketball literacy, and Flagg himself cares about winning far more than personal data," Kidd analyzed at the post-game press conference. "When an 18-year-old player has the ball, he could easily choose to take crazy shots, but he always organizes the offense with a sense of responsibility." This trait made the coaching staff dare to push him into the starting point guard position at the beginning of the season, although this is a huge leap in thinking from the forward role he was accustomed to in college.

Faced with the opening two consecutive losses, Flagg made no secret of his competitive spirit in an interview in the locker room: "I am very disappointed with myself, even annoyed. We showed the intensity we should have in the fourth quarter, but the problem is that we cannot maintain it throughout the game." He rubbed the game ball and continued, "Although it feels like it is moving in the right direction, it still needs to be greatly improved. Next, we must study the video carefully and polish every detail."

Like all young players crossing the gap between college and professional basketball, Flagg is experiencing the dual test of role change and team integration. On a court in Dallas that is in urgent need of reconstruction, the growth trajectory of this precocious rookie has become an important yardstick for measuring the future direction of the team.

(Text/Kong Yang)