Latest news with #CooperFlagg
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA legend says Mavericks' Cooper Flagg is 'above rookie curve'
To absolutely nobody's surprise, the Dallas Mavericks drafted Cooper Flagg with the number one overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. And how could they not have? Flagg was the projected no. 1 pick across the board after just a single season with the Duke Blue Devils, and even been called the top American prospect in basketball since his current teammate, Anthony Davis, was drafted back in 2012. And his skill at such a young age is shocking NBA legends, including Shaquille O'Neal, who has been very vocal in his praise for Flagg and his game. In an interview with DJ Siddiqi of RG, the NBA Hall of Famer continued his praise, saying Flagg was above the curve that most people set for rookies in the game today, especially young ones like Flagg that are barely out of high school. "In his highlights, he looks phenomenal, O'Neal said. "You must realize he's an 18-year-old kid. You can't put too much pressure on him. From my experience, you get two years before people really start staying it's time to win, but I think he's way above that 18-year-old curve." "Shaq" also praised the Dallas fan base, saying that Flagg will be treated well where he is, due to the controversy the team has been a part of over the past few months, and compared him to another Mavs legend. "This fan base is definitely going to treat him well through the ups and downs, because we celebrate Dirk Nowitzki," said O'Neal. "I remember Dirk when he first came in. He was not Dirk, he turned into Dirk. But the Dallas fans have always been great. Cooper Flagg is playing for a great organization, great town, great fan base. He'll be absolutely fine." Given that the young star just dropped 31 points on the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Summer League recently, it seems that Flagg is settling in sooner than most may have expected.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Cooper Flagg's NBA soft launch showed the spotlight fits just fine
'I would say that might be one of the worst games of my life,' Cooper Flagg told reporters last Thursday night. 'But we got the win, so that's what really matters to me.' It was a telling statement from the 18-year-old basketball phenom after his first Las Vegas Summer League game. The No 1 overall pick in this year's NBA draft – taken by the Dallas Mavericks after a one-and-done college career at Duke – didn't have nearly as disastrous a debut as he made out. Though he struggled to shoot the ball, Flagg still managed to flash his playmaking and defensive range. Clearly hyperaware to the moment and the hype surrounding his technical NBA debut, he looked determined to put on a show: aggressively hunting his shot and seeking out highlight-reel dunks at every opportunity. He bounced back with 31 points in his second (and ultimately final) Summer League appearance on Saturday. But it was the second-half of his comment after Thursday night's game that encapsulates why Flagg is one of the most hyped teenage prospects in decades: the kid is a winner. The buzz around Flagg began in his native Maine, where he became the first freshman to win the state's Gatorade Player of the Year award. He transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida after his first year of high school in search of stiffer competition, and the accolades continued to accumulate: McDonald's All American, Gatorade National Player of the Year, even USA Basketball's Male Athlete of the Year, the youngest to earn the honor since the award's inception in 1980. Long compared to Kevin Garnett and Jayson Tatum for his two-way skillset and relentless work ethic, Flagg reclassified to enter college a year early – and did the same a second time to reach the NBA sooner. With every challenge cleared, he's sought the next one with even greater urgency. In a 2024 feature on Flagg for the Ringer, J Kyle Mann described the 6ft 9in, 205lb Swiss army knife as 'running toward the grind', a sentiment longtime Mavericks beat writer Tim Cato echoes in Vegas this week when I ask for his assessment of the teenager. 'What really stands out to me about Cooper is he has always ascended,' Cato says. 'He loves to cite a quote from his mom, 'If you're the best player in the gym, you need to find a new gym.' And I just think that shows up in every aspect of his career.' That dogged commitment to improvement has made Flagg both more polished and more reserved than many of his peers. The Tatum comparisons, one could argue, are as apt behind the microphone as they are on the court. His answers can feel a little too polished, the jagged edges sanded down. He lacks the off-the-cuff charisma of an Anthony Edwards or the unfiltered snarl of a Garnett. There's little brashness, no 'face of the league' bravado – just focus. When I asked him after his monster second Vegas appearance, where he punctuated what felt like every five minutes of play with a poster dunk and looked every part the budding superstar, what he dreams about when he lets his imagination run wild over the potential of his NBA career, he had an aw-shucks answer seemingly in the can. 'I'm not getting too far ahead of myself. I haven't really thought about that too much,' he said. 'I'm kind of just focused on each individual day and just trying to get better. I know I have a really long way to go, and a lot to improve on.' 'That focus is what stands out most about Cooper,' says Cato. 'Sometimes even to his detriment. When he says stuff like 'I'm not really into music,' he just seems like a guy solely consumed with basketball and challenging himself to reach new heights.' Flagg could do a lot worse than ending up a rough equivalent of Tatum, of course: an arguable top-five player who is a year removed from an NBA championship. He would probably be quite pleased with that trajectory (and, it's worth noting, the New Englander grew up a Celtics fan). But some insiders see an even loftier ceiling. One NBA executive told me Flagg was 'the most skilled and hardest-working prospect in either of his Summer League games', adding: 'He has a pretty strong case as the most complete 18-year-old player since LeBron James.' What impressed most in Flagg's debut wasn't any single element. It was the totality: the aggression, the poise, the basketball IQ, the defense, the size, the athleticism. Flagg is poised to make his formal regular-season debut in October as a ready-made, plug-and-play contributor with superstar upside. Against all odds, a Mavericks organization just months removed from the Luka Dončić saga appears, indeed, to have hit the lottery.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Bronny James's Second Summer League Is Turning Heads -- Rightfully So
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 06: Bronny James Jr. #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a foul ... More shot against the Sacramento Kings during the second half of the 2024 California Classic summer league game at Chase Center on July 06, 2024 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) It took one Summer League game, a battle against this year's top pick, Cooper Flagg, for Bronny James to showcase growth primarily cultivated with the Los Angeles Lakers' G League affiliate. As his second Sin City stint nears its conclusion, he keeps getting better. That was never more evident than his performance against the Boston Celtics. James isn't one to let his on-court struggles faze him. He had six turnovers in a scoreless first half. His highlights from the opening 20 minutes included driving the lane before shoveling the ball to Lakers' center Christian Koloko for a dunk. He also stripped the ball from Amari Williams as the Celtics' rookie tried to attack downhill. However, what was most evident is that, understandably, the 20-year-old guard still has a long way to go as a lead guard and a facilitator. "If I am consistently confident and bring the ball up and being able to play the one when it's needed, I think that'll be good," expressed James post-game. "Getting those reps over and over again, having the ball in my hand most of the time, is really good for my development." Bronny James erupts in second half of Lakers' clash vs. Celtics What unfolded after intermission was what the throngs of his fans at the Thomas & Mack Center were hoping to see. James starred in the final two frames. It started with an impressive drive for a layup with six-foot-four guard Max Shulga pressing him full-court. Later, he worked his way past another defensive menace, Boston's first-round pick, Hugo Gonzalez. He also drew a foul on the play when the latter tried to poke the ball free from behind. James was just getting going. He showed off a deft touch on a floater, followed by a steal, sprinting to an overthrown pass to Gonzalez. Then he sent a charge through the building. The former USC Trojan went behind his back to create separation from a pressing Gonzalez before snapping a crossover dribble and blowing by him for a layup through contact from Kenneth Lofton Jr. He also converted on the ensuing free throw. Shortly after that came a chorus of MVP chants after he attacked downhill for another layup that turned into an old-school three-point play. James finished with 18 points, pacing all participants, despite not scoring in the first half. He capitalized on 7/12 field goal attempts, primarily due to making a living around the rim. The Celtics instructed Gonzalez and Shulga, a pair of pitbulls, to press him 94 feet. It didn't matter. The former second-round selection looked comfortable handling the ball and whatever Boston threw at him. James also finished with five assists, matching backcourt mate DJ Steward for a team-high in Los Angeles's 87-78 loss. Bronny James is on an encouraging path In four Summer League appearances, James is averaging 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. He's shooting 47.6 percent from the field, 30 percent from beyond the arc, and 78.6 percent at the free-throw line. He went 1/4 from three-point range against the Celtics. The six-foot-three guard must improve as a shooter. But the growth of his overall game, especially as a lead guard, makes him worthy of inclusion among those standing out in Las Vegas. "[It] definitely was a better result than last year, so I'm happy with it," said James after the game against Boston. After Monday's matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, he noted, "It helps that I was in the G-League running point guard most of the time." James produced 17 points that evening. "Just getting these reps in the Summer League is helping as well," he voiced. "Just getting more comfortable game by game." Maintaining that approach will help him finish his stay in Sin City on a high note. It's also the compass that will guide him from continued development in the G League to graduating from a two-way deal to a standard NBA contract. It's all part of a journey to maximize his potential that's continuing to trend in an encouraging direction.
New York Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
WATCH: Cooper Flagg at point guard? How Mavericks used No. 1 pick in NBA Summer League
Cooper Flagg was the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft because he's a versatile, 6-foot-9 do-it-all wing. But what will he be for the Dallas Mavericks in his rookie season and beyond? That's the question coach Jason Kidd and his staff are beginning to answer. It started at NBA Summer League with a good old-fashioned point-guard boot camp. Advertisement The Mavericks weren't afraid to experiment with Flagg in his two games in Las Vegas. Flagg consistently brought the ball up the floor, dealing with pressure from opposing defenders. He operated in pick-and-rolls and was the Mavs' primary decision-maker. While the results were mixed, the start to Flagg's NBA journey provided a glimpse into the future for this generational prospect. This isn't the first time Kidd and his staff boldly used a young phenom's skillset. Back in 2016, when Kidd coached the Milwaukee Bucks, he told the world his plans to put the ball in the hands of a young 6-foot-11 wing. You might know his name: Giannis Antetokounmpo. Eight years later, Antetokounmpo is the Bucks' offensive hub and has averaged at least five assists every season since Kidd first planted those seeds. Flagg isn't new to handling the ball. In his lone season at Duke, Cooper led the team in assists, had nearly a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and used 129 possessions as the pick-and-roll ballhandler. But there will still be a learning curve to playing on the ball at the NBA level, one that was evident during his two summer league games. As the video above shows, Flagg often struggled with his handle and creating separation. He also had several intriguing moments that showed off the potential for him to become the league's next great point forward. Summer league was the perfect arena for him and the Mavericks to test his pick-and-roll chops. With Kyrie Irving sidelined for most of this season, there will be more opportunities for Flagg to stretch his legs with the ball in his hands. And with Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington up front, Flagg might have to play on the perimeter more anyway. The hope, then, is that the process that began at summer league bears fruit in the long run. (Candice Ward / Imagn)
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL star Maxx Crosby praises Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg
After being drafted No. 1 overall, Cooper Flagg was one player many anxiously awaited to see in action during Summer League. Though his time on the court was brief, it was still enough for the touted prospect to get a shoutout from a fellow pro athlete. With the festivities taking place in Las Vegas, there is an array of notable names floating around Summer League. Many are some of the game's top stars popping up to support some of their younger teammates. Ahead of NFL training camp, Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby was another notable name in attendance. While soaking in the action, Crosby had the chance to link up with Flagg. He ended up posting a picture of the two of them on social media while praising the NBA's next big prospect. Though he struggled from the field, Flagg managed to put together an all-around performance in his Summer League debut against the LA Lakers. He posted a stat line of 10 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Flagg would bounce back in a big way in his next outing against the San Antonio Spurs, erupting for 31 points, four rebounds, and one assist. Following this outing, the Mavericks decided they'd seen more than enough from Flagg and decided to shut him down for the remainder of Summer League. Looking ahead, Flagg will now begin preparing for his first NBA training camp in a couple of months. He finds himself with a tall task as a No. 1 pick, as he'll attempt to help a Mavericks team with championship aspirations in the Western Conference.
