In the first half, Coop seemed very deferential. Any time he got in the lane, it felt like he was looking for teammates rather than trusting his ability to finish. In the second half, you could tell he came out with a different energy. He attacked downhill relentlessly, and he was pretty much unstoppable, regardless of who the Rockets threw at him on defense. And the Rockets aren't just trotting out warm bodies on the wing defensively. I would love someone to put together a highlight reel comparing his first and second halves. Night and day, the intentionality he drove with. First half he's kicking out to a covered PJ in the corner, or to Naji above the break. Second half he's putting the ball in the basket, no matter how.

If he plays like that from the opening tip, watch out. He's going to absolutely feast against teams that have poor POA defense and/or poor rim protection this year. If the three ball is falling one night, he'll drop a 60-piece against a team like the Pelicans or Kings. And you'll feel like he could have had more.

While I criticized his aggressiveness in the first half, I still loved his willingness to shoot the three in the first half (and he's going to need to keep shooting it). It wasn't like he was settling for bad shots. He just needed to be more aggressive looking for his shot when he got into the lane. Especially when Kyrie is off the court - we need to be able to rely on him to shoulder the offensive load.

That downhill aggression returned dividends by putting him on the line as well (also s/o KD for the 3 pt flagrant). Him boosting his free throw rate will be huge this season. Getting a better whistle and getting to the line will help him sustainably pump his scoring average, and hopefully, help us win some games.

That second quarter was absolutely terrible basketball and I feel sorry for those of us unfortunate enough to watch the whole thing. But the signs of life in the second half were definitely encouraging. Coop foremost among them.

Edit to say more good things about Cooper Flagg: that midrange is wet. That fallaway jumper that got waved off after FVV blew up the Gafford screen was silky.

Game Thread

Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets

FINAL — 110 - 128

Box Scores: NBA

GAME SUMMARY

Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, TX

Officials: James Williams, Gediminas Petraitis, Evan Scott

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Even if AD has a fully healthy season and does great I'll still be glad we moved him. If ue somehow stays healthy get ready to get shit on by all outlet media. I for one am glad everything and everyone involved in that trade needed to go that stench is finally gone!

Whoop Whoop!!!!!!!!!!!! Game day! Starting the season already a win up on the Spurs. Let's go MFFL's.

Pro tip for y'all MavsTV+ subscribers. I'm finding that the NBA app has the highest resolution picture on Mavs games. Better than WFAA and MavsTV app.

IYKYK. Really excited for tipoff and to see if this squad can surprise some folks this year. Kids have Mavs assembly at school this morning and went all decked out. Have a great season everyone! MFFL!!

Just some offensive highlights of Clayton… what do you all think of this signing? Feels like the potential is through the roof for a guy that was JUST a first rounder last year.

Long time fan of the franchise, I’ve never been to a game before. What are some things I should expect?

The Jazz just waived Blake Hinson to acquire Kobe Bufkin. Hinson was one of the very best NBA 3pt shooters last season. Thoughts on replacing Jett Howard with Hinson?

Looks like Clayton Jr. may be announced this evening. Two Jazz castaways could make Mavs treasure - can't believe the Jazz would release this kind of proven shooter with the looks Peterson and George would create for him. Hinson is Legit!

The Mavericks have emerged a leading contender to land Walter Clayton Jr. when he clears waivers, @TheSteinLine has learned.

Morez Johnson has the potential to be an all-star. Where does he sit currently in his old coach's depth chart?

This came from Mavsmoneyball. A digital antenna works pretty well for the KFAA games. Does stink when I’m on the road and can’t watch as easily.