The Dallas Mavericks drafted Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick this summer, and with the veterans they had, expectations were high for them to soar this season. However, it’s been the exact opposite. Anthony Davis has been hurt, Flagg hasn’t played up to his potential, and even Klay Thompson has recently been benched. After losing to the Pelicans, Flagg got honest about all the losing.
“For me it’s the most I’ve lost since… you know, I think ever,” Flagg told the media.
The Mavericks are currently sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference — the last place anyone expected them to be just ten games into the season. Thompson has been very vocal about his benching, but his mindset hasn’t changed.
“I don’t mind,” Thompson said of not starting, via the Dallas Morning News. “I’m going to play. I’m gonna do great things. That’s coming. I know it is. Your 15th year? The heights I’ve seen? The lows I’ve seen? I’m just happy to be here. Because it’s hard to even make it this far in this business. You kidding me? Fifteen years? What?”
Dirk Nowitzki got brutally honest about how the Mavericks have been playing since the start of the season. Let’s just say the legend isn’t too happy with his former team — and his comments should serve as a harsh reality check.
“They can’t shoot, they can’t make plays. Nobody can make shots. It’s been tough to watch,” Nowitzki said.
That’s not what an organization wants to hear from its greatest player in franchise history. Something must change quickly if the Mavericks hope to turn things around. Even though it’s still early in the season, if things don’t improve soon, it could be over before it really begins.
Maybe Nowitzki’s words will serve as a wake-up call. If not, who knows how it’s going to go. For now, the Mavericks seem lost — and someone needs to provide a spark.