When Sam Amico reported that Jason Kidd is preparing to roll out a starting lineup of D’Angelo Russell, Klay Thompson, Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Daniel Gafford, Mavericks fans had immediate reactions. One fan said, “I like it. PJ and Lively can come in and destroy 2nd units.” That single line captured both the excitement and the skepticism. It is a five man unit packed with defense, size, and veteran scoring, but also one that raises questions about spacing, ball movement, and who shoulders the perimeter defense load.
Flagg’s Defensive Burden and the Big D Bench
The most striking reaction centered on Flagg. A commenter noted, “Your POA defender ends up being Flagg. Which isn’t a bad thing, just a lot to ask of a rookie.” That sentence sums up the tension. Flagg is gifted, long, and energetic, but defending NBA guards night after night is another level of responsibility. Fans know rookies usually struggle with discipline and foul control, and it could make or break this lineup.
The Mavericks’ depth plays into this strategy. One fan commented that the bench unit of Exum, PJ, Naji, Max, Caleb and Lively “should be dubbed Big D for Defense.” That vision hints at Kidd staggering lineups to preserve intensity. If Flagg shows early composure, Kidd can afford to let him learn through mistakes. If not, the Mavericks’ bench has veterans to cover those gaps.
“So many lockdown defensive options all around for multiple lineups. They just have to find that right mix of offensive lineups that will be consistently above average.”
That fan voice resonates because balance is the real puzzle here. Dallas has defense. It is offense that will define this experiment.
Russell, Thompson, and the Spacing Question
Not every fan is sold on D’Angelo Russell as the floor general. “Not sold on D-Lo at all, but happy to be proven wrong. I hear he’s very well liked, a good locker room could go a long way” one commenter said. That worry reflects the fear that Dallas could get stagnant if Russell dribbles too long or if Thompson cannot regain his old rhythm.
Another commenter took a different angle: “I think Lively is the better player. But his ability to facilitate for the second unit is so important. We need all the playmaking we can get right now.” The emphasis is on flow. Having Lively anchor the bench means Gafford starts, giving Davis more freedom at the 4. But spacing still feels tight. Without prime Thompson bombing away, Russell and Davis will need to carry a heavy creation load.
Fans floated creative tweaks, like sliding Flagg to the 1, Davis to the 3, and playing a 1-3-1 zone. That shows how much people are trying to imagine ways to stretch the floor and cover weaknesses. It also shows that Kidd’s lineup is not set in stone. It is a starting point for experimentation.
