Cooper Flagg, the first overall pick in the recent NBA Draft, has begun his journey in the league under the watchful eyes of seasoned professionals. At only 18 years old, Flagg is assuming a big role with the Dallas Mavericks. Even for someone so young that’s an incredible accomplishment, especially on a playoff team. Those early experiences with the Mavericks are full of hope and surprise. Yet he must confront new hardships as he learns to navigate the pressures and expectations of professional basketball.
During a post-practice session, Flagg demonstrated that competitive spirit, taking shots with an assistant coach and alternating on the floor in one-on-one battles. At 6-foot-9, his height alone would make him hard to miss on the court. As only Jeb knew, Flagg is cognizant of the daunting road that lies before him. He joined the Dallas media for the first time directly after being drafted. From there, he was an enthusiastic participant, spreading knowledge about his experience around the country and what he’s expecting.
Unfortunately, the pathway to success is littered with barriers. Flagg’s first week with the Mavericks was a rollercoaster of performances. He was under immense pressure as he was thrown into a starting point guard role—something he had never played before. In his first game against the San Antonio Spurs, he had a major clip on his turnover woes, finishing the contest with more turnovers than points.
Early Days in the NBA
Despite the early success, Flagg’s transition to the NBA has included some big learning curves. Even through the rookie struggle, he’s continued to hone in on his development.
“I didn’t even hear those. I’m listening to Coach, listening to the guys on the team, the vets, just trying to figure out as many ways as I can to help the team impact the game in a positive way. I’m trying to tune all that stuff out.” – Cooper Flagg
He’s the first to admit that getting used to the pace and style of play in the NBA is a process, too.
“It doesn’t always go perfect right away. So just figuring it out day by day, game by game, minute by minute how I can help my team in the best ways. I think I’m starting to get more comfortable for sure.” – Cooper Flagg
Flagg’s maturity level has hardly missed a beat with him being around his teammates and coaches. The Mavericks’ head coach, Jason Kidd, for his part, spoke highly of Flagg’s IQ for the game as well as his profession-like work ethic.
“He’s working at his craft to be the best in the world,” – Jason Kidd
Flagg is obviously dedicated to getting better. That is a critical decision as he confronts the difficulties of being a newcomer in an unforgiving climate.
Support from Veteran Players
The Mavericks’ roster features a host of veteran presences that have helped guide Flagg as he’s transitioned out of high school and into the college game. Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson have given the game their precious pearls of wisdom. More than that, they know how to navigate the pressures that are inherent with being a top draft pick.
Irving has been especially critical, having been the loudest of Flagg’s critics during his adjustment process. He made it clear that having fun and enjoying the game is a rookie’s first priority.
“The first thing you tell him is to have fun and enjoy yourself,” – Kyrie Irving
While casting the first overall pick in glowing terms, Irving did recognize the burden of high expectations that accompany this lofty status.
“The work is just getting started, but it is pretty unique in terms of the situation he’s in. But being a No. 1 pick is still going to come with pressure,” – Kyrie Irving
Davis echoed these sentiments and added, encouraging Flagg not to allow outside pressures to prove a distraction.
“We want him to be confident but don’t worry about the pressure,” – Anthony Davis
This support system is intended to keep that confidence high, help Flagg get his feet under him and find his comfort zone before the pros come calling.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
Flagg’s experiences are unlike any 18-year-old who has ever made the leap to the NBA. To put it lightly, not many players have made an impact this early in their NBA careers. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tracy McGrady had similar starts as benchwarmers on bad teams before they blossomed into mega-stars.
As Klay Thompson said recently, there’s a special kind of pressure that No. 1 picks deal with. He pointed out that most of these players are asked to instantly resurrect their franchises.
“Usually with a lot of No. 1 picks, you go and you got to save a franchise,” – Klay Thompson
For Flagg, there isn’t an expectation right off the bat to hold the team on his shoulders. Fortunately, both Davis and Kidd have pledged to help him shoulder that burden.
“I’ll handle the pressure. J. Kidd will handle the pressure. When Kyrie comes back, he’ll handle the pressure. We want him to go out here and just play basketball,” – Anthony Davis
This reconfigured collaborative approach provides the fertile ground for the development of Flagg while not burying him.
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