The Dallas Mavericks’ new era was supposed to start with a bang, but it was filled with questions instead. 18-year-old phenom Cooper Flagg, labeled as the next cornerstone for the Mavs, made his long-awaited NBA debut, but spent most of it watching the action unfold around him. Though the matchup against the San Antonio Spurs was hyped, what didn’t happen got people talking.

During the return of Inside the NBA , Charles Barkley bluntly called out the Mavericks for starting the rookie at point guard. “ The Dallas Mavericks trying to outthink everybody, think they the smartest dude in the world .” He pointed to the lack of a reliable playmaker to set up Flagg, who finished the game without any assists, despite being given the keys to the offense.

“ They need a point guard ,” Barkl

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