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Tim MacMahon
KYRIE IRVING‘S SMILE radiated brightly as he moved towards Cooper Flagg next to the Dallas Mavericks bench, presenting a stark contrast to the situation displayed on the American Airlines Center scoreboard at that time.
It was nearing the midpoint of the third quarter of the season opener, and things had not been going as anticipated for Flagg at that stage of his much-anticipated NBA debut. He had a greater number of turnovers than points as Dallas was behind the San Antonio Spurs by 15 when Flagg stepped back onto the court after a timeout, pausing to hear Irving’s animated claps and positive words of encouragement.
«Just keep your spirits high!» Irving advised Flagg.
Irving, similar to teammate Anthony Davis, recognizes the attention that being the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft brings. Both players began their NBA journeys with the Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans, respectively, two teams that were just starting their rebuilding phases. Flagg’s circumstances are drastically different, arriving in Dallas just one season after the Mavs’ NBA Finals run. He stepped into a roster filled with veterans who have an expectation to win now, even with Irving recovering from knee surgery and months away from a comeback.
«The first thing to tell him is to enjoy and have fun,» Irving mentioned to ESPN during the preseason. «The hard work is only beginning, yet his situation is quite unique. However, being the No. 1 pick still comes with expectations and a lot of internal thoughts you want to project onto the team. You want to let everyone recognize who you are and earn their respect. That’s essential in this league. There are no boys here.
«For me, it’s crucial to ensure he doesn’t feel overwhelmed or burdened.»
The opening week of Flagg’s career showed a mix of successes and setbacks, as Coach Jason Kidd threw him into the starting point guard role, a position the 18-year-old had never played before.
Flagg has had flashes of his game-changing potential, like when he posterized Toronto’s Sandro Mamukelashvili during a fast break. That moment highlighted Flagg’s inaugural NBA win, where he scored 22 points without any turnovers, making him one of the few players in NBA history to achieve a 20-point, zero-turnover game before turning 19 alongside Kobe Bryant.
However, there have also been periods where Flagg has been less visible. He went scoreless in the first half of his first game and recorded no assists in a heavy loss to the Spurs, as reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle‘s defensive pressure made it tough to initiate offense. Flagg was sidelined during crunch time, with only a few late defensive minutes to show, concluding with just two points and again no assists in a defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder following a great game against Toronto.
«He’s 18,» Kidd said. «He’s going to have standout plays and make mistakes. He will learn through wins and losses, but this early in his career will only make him better as we move forward.»
The obstacles Flagg faces extend beyond the basketball court. His solitary season at Duke, where he was potentially the most publicized recruit in the prestigious program’s history, equipped him to handle the expectations and demands on a No. 1 pick considered a generational talent. However, he also bears the weight of joining a franchise still coping with the most controversial trade in NBA history while dealing with fame and playoff pressures.
«It’s quite a lot mentally,» Flagg expressed after his first win. «It’s a considerable amount. I’ve experienced a lot over the past couple of months. It’s been a rollercoaster, so I’m just trying to take my time to adapt and adjust.
«Things don’t always align perfectly right away. It’s a gradual progress, figuring it out day by day, game by game, minute by minute on how I can contribute to my team effectively. I feel I am getting more comfortable for sure.»
FLAGG EXPECTED the inquiry when he first addressed the Dallas media a couple of days post-draft. He cast a sidelong glance at his twin brother, Ace, seated upfront, suppressing a grin when questioned about stepping into Luka Doncic‘s shoes as the face of the Mavs’ organization.
«I’m coming in with the goal of learning and improving every single day,» Flagg stated. «If I can approach that to the best of my capacity, the expectations and pressures others place on me and our team will sort itself out. I’m focused on being the best version of myself and striving for team success at the highest level.»
Despite his intense focus on basketball, the unusual series of events that led him to Dallas continues to hang over the team, starting with general manager Nico Harrison’s shocking move to trade a homegrown MVP candidate in his prime to the Los Angeles Lakers in early February.
The torn ACL Irving suffered in early March, which significantly contributed to Dallas falling out of playoff contention to secure those 1.8% lottery odds that brought Flagg to the team, is mending. However, the emotional hurt for fans, stemming from feelings of betrayal, may linger.
The fanbase has welcomed the rookie. His No. 32 jersey is the second most frequently spotted after Doncic’s No. 77 at home games, and supporters enthusiastically shout «Flagg!» at the right moment during pregame performances of «The Star-Spangled Banner.» Despite this, fans remain upset with management. They voiced «Fire Nico!» chants during the latter stages of the lopsided losses to the Spurs and the struggling Washington Wizards at the start of the season.
This is a topic Flagg wisely steers clear of.
«I’m solely focused on the game,» Flagg responded after the defeat to the Wizards, claiming he was oblivious to the crowd’s chants. «I didn’t even hear them. I’m tuning into Coach, paying attention to my teammates, the veterans, just exploring ways to positively influence the game for my team. I’m trying to filter out all that noise.»
Flagg has taken over Doncic’s former position in the Mavs’ starting lineup, yet no one realistically expects the rookie to instantly match the superstar’s output, if ever.
Doncic led the league in scoring during his last full season with the Mavericks, averaging a remarkable 33.9 points per game alongside 9.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists. Flagg averaged 13.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists throughout Dallas’ opening five-game homestand. The Mavs have managed a 2-3 record despite standing second to last in offensive efficiency, scoring only 103.5 points every 100 possessions, a number that falls to 95.6 with Flagg on the court.
«He’s dedicated to mastering his craft,» Kidd remarked. «It’s going to require some time.»
IRVING USUALLY HAS a 6-foot-9 shadow accompanying him during post-practice sessions, practicing shots together and alternating turns in one-on-one drills against an assistant coach, with the rookie emulating the nine-time All-Star’s maneuvers. Irving is eager to provide support and guidance, yet his absence has created a significant gap in ballhandling and playmaking that Flagg is primarily expected to fill while the veteran continues his recovery.
The Mavs’ veteran players, particularly those with Hall of Fame careers, are working to lessen the pressure Flagg experiences.
«Typically with No. 1 picks, the expectation is to revive a franchise,» five-time All-Star Klay Thompson commented to ESPN. «I told him, ‘Your rookie season should feel like a free pass. There’s no rush for expectations.'»
Davis, the 10-time All-Star forward who was the prominent player acquired in the Doncic trade, feels it’s his duty to shield the rookie from the weight of the franchise’s expectations — at least for now.
«We want him to build confidence but not bear the pressure,» Davis shared with ESPN. «I’ll take on the pressure. J. Kidd will take on the pressure. When Kyrie returns, he’ll carry some pressure too. We want him to just go out and play basketball. The pressure will come three, four, or five years later when we are likely to be out of the league.»
«He’s going to excel, but our goal is to facilitate his growth. We won’t rush him. Yet, we understand he aims to win, and we all have the same goal.»
Reality comes with the date on Flagg’s birth certificate. He won’t reach 19 until December 21, having reclassified in high school, enabling him to enter the NBA a year earlier.
There has yet to be an 18-year-old playing a significant role on an NBA playoff team.
Despite Bryant’s exceptional talent, he didn’t play due to a coach’s decision in his first regular-season game and averaged 7.6 points on 41.7% shooting with a higher turnover rate than assists in his rookie year. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tracy McGrady had unimpressive stats, mainly off the bench, for underperforming teams.
LeBron James achieved the highest numbers for any player that young, averaging 20.9 points on 41.7% shooting, with 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game during his Rookie of the Year season. However, the Cavaliers, coming off a 17-win season, ended with a 35-47 record.
«We are aiming high for championships, but we also recognize our team’s current state as we grow and build for both present and future,» Irving remarked. «It’s crucial that he maintains a strong mindset, which he does already. He’s notably mature for his age, and it’s rare to have an 18-year-old in your franchise who is as wise as he is.
«Yet still, he’s merely 18. So we need to be mindful of that. He remains a kid who requires development.»
The Mavs expect Flagg’s statistics to fluctuate as a rookie. That’s acceptable as long as the relentless competitive spirit Kidd has referred to as Flagg’s «superpower» remains constant.
Kidd’s favorite moment featuring Flagg thus far wasn’t a spectacular highlight. It didn’t register in the box score either. It transpired when Flagg dove to the floor between two Spurs players to battle for a loose ball while the Mavs were trailing by 19 late in the third quarter of the opener.
As long as Flagg displays that level of effort, the Mavs are more than willing to support him through his growing pains.
«I think the only pressure they place on me is to remain authentic,» Flagg said. «Just to be who I know I can be and the person I’ve always been. Therefore, I don’t feel any pressure from them. They only expect greatness from me as I remain true to myself.»
