The spotlight was intensely focused as Cooper Flagg, the highly-touted No. 1 overall draft pick, stepped onto the court for his NBA Summer League debut with the Dallas Mavericks. Facing off against the Los Angeles Lakers, the game, which the Mavericks ultimately won 87-85, served as the initial public showcase for the young forward following a stellar collegiate career at Duke.
Flagg finished the game with a statistical line of 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists over nearly 32 minutes of play. However, a closer look at the box score reveals a challenging shooting night: he connected on only 5 of his 21 field goal attempts and missed all five of his shots from beyond the 3-point arc. His scoring was notably concentrated in transition opportunities, as he struggled to find his rhythm in half-court sets, particularly in the second half where he went scoreless on nine attempts.
Characteristically, Flagg himself offered a grounded assessment of his performance, calling it “not up to my standard” immediately after the game. This self-critical perspective, even in a low-stakes Summer League environment, hints at the high expectations he places upon himself.
Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd was courtside for the debut, observing alongside members of the front office and other teammates. Kidd`s reaction provided valuable insight into how the organization views Flagg`s initial outing. Kidd, with a touch of seasoned perspective and perhaps gentle irony regarding rookie conditioning, quipped to ESPN about Flagg`s minutes: “Are we playing too many minutes?”
Beyond the jest, Kidd offered genuine praise, emphasizing Flagg`s versatility and potential impact. “I think Cooper`s done an incredible job with all the minutes. He`s handled the ball. He`s gotten wide-open shots from teammates. He`s finished. I think you`ve seen a lot of what he can do in this league,” Kidd stated, highlighting facets of Flagg`s game that transcend shooting percentages.
He specifically noted the defensive attention Flagg received from the Lakers from the opening play, viewing the immediate double-team as a sign of respect for the rookie`s known capabilities. This level of respect, even in a Summer League contest, is telling and indicates opponents are already game-planning for him. Kidd also singled out a highlight dunk, expressing personal excitement at seeing Flagg convert an “easy one.”
Kidd reiterated confidence in Flagg`s decision-making and poise, particularly remarkable for an 18-year-old navigating the transition to professional basketball. “When you have someone like Cooper who can handle, who can shoot, who can pass, you want the ball in his hands,” Kidd commented. “He`s a great decision maker… He`s going to have some mistakes, we all threw it in the stands once in a while, but I think just his poise as an 18-year-old is incredible.”
The sheer anticipation surrounding Flagg`s debut was palpable, extending well beyond the confines of the arena. Reports indicated unprecedented demand for tickets, with prices reaching extraordinary levels for a Summer League game – lower bowl seats reportedly fetching $650 and courtside spots climbing to $2,500. This financial barometer underscores the unique pressure and attention Flagg is navigating even before his official rookie season begins.
While the shooting numbers weren`t spectacular, Cooper Flagg`s highly anticipated debut offered valuable insights. He displayed the ball-handling, passing vision, and overall poise that led him to be the consensus top pick. Mistakes are inevitable for any rookie adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NBA game, but Flagg`s ability to handle the ball under pressure and make sound decisions are foundational strengths. His first game was not a polished masterpiece, but a compelling preview of a player with the attributes to warrant the top selection, validated by the keen eye of his future NBA coach.
Jasper Hawthorne