Cooper Flagg Is Settling In - And the NBA Is Starting to Notice
The NBA season is a marathon, not a sprint - and for Cooper Flagg, the league’s youngest rising star, that lesson is hitting home in real time. The No. 1 overall pick of the Dallas Mavericks is learning on the fly, adjusting to the grueling schedule, the constant travel, and the physical toll that comes with being a pro. But while the pace of life in the NBA is unrelenting, the game itself is starting to slow down for the 18-year-old phenom - and that’s exactly what you want to see if you’re Dallas.
Flagg’s comfort on the floor is growing by the week. The numbers show it.
The eye test confirms it. And if you ask him, he’s just grateful to be here.
“It’s incredible,” Flagg said. “It makes me feel really blessed to be in this position and for everything to happen the way it did… I just feel so blessed and grateful to be here and be surrounded by great people.”
That humility is refreshing, especially when you consider the weight of the comparisons already being thrown his way - names like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Victor Wembanyama. That’s the kind of company Flagg is being mentioned alongside, and while he’s not chasing those comparisons, he’s certainly not shying away from the expectations that come with them.
A Rookie Handling the Spotlight Like a Vet
What’s been most striking about Flagg’s rookie campaign isn’t just the box score production - though that’s been impressive - it’s how he’s handled the mental grind of the NBA. It’s easy to forget he’s just 18 years old.
Most teenagers are figuring out college dorm life. Flagg’s figuring out how to carry a franchise.
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has seen a lot in his time around the league - as a player, as a coach, and as a mentor to young talent. And while he’s not ready to crown Flagg just yet, he’s clearly impressed.
“The No. 1 pick, he’s lived up to all the hype,” Kidd said. “He understands how to play the game.”
Kidd’s not rushing to put Flagg in any all-time rookie conversations just yet - and that’s fair. But he’s quick to point out that Flagg’s ability to absorb the game’s physical and mental demands is rare.
“Back-to-backs, it’s a lot of basketball - it’s a little bit different than college,” Kidd said. “His growth, being able to bounce back if he doesn’t have a great game… the minutes, the physicality, absorbing everything right now as he continues to go up.”
Flagg’s maturity is showing in how he processes the grind. He’s not just playing through it - he’s learning from it.
The Physical Toll Is Real - But Flagg Isn’t Slowing Down
Flagg’s transition to the NBA hasn’t been without bumps. The schedule is punishing, and the travel wears on even the most seasoned veterans. For a teenager fresh out of high school, it’s a whole new world.
“I’m just getting comfortable, growing and learning the pace and speed of the game,” Flagg said. “Getting comfortable with being myself out there and picking apart defenses and knowing the game at a high level.”
But the biggest adjustment?
“I’d say physically, the amount of games we play, traveling a lot more. It’s just different.”
That difference has been compounded by a nagging right thumb injury that’s required Flagg to wear a splint during games and practices. It’s not sidelining him - far from it - but it’s a reminder of the wear and tear that comes with the league’s demanding schedule. Flagg has suited up for 24 of the Mavericks’ first 25 games, showing a toughness that’s already earning respect in the locker room.
“I don’t know if I’d say 100 percent,” Flagg admitted. “I feel healthy for sure.
I’m good to go. But obviously, with the amount of games we play, there’s always going to be nagging things… that’s just part of being mentally and physically tough and playing through some of that stuff.”
With a rare break in the schedule, Flagg welcomed the downtime - not to unplug entirely, but to be smart about his recovery.
“Actually getting off my feet and just chilling,” he said. “Working with the medical staff, I’m picking my spots when I want to get my work in and when I’m on the court.”
That’s a veteran mindset - and it’s already paying off.
Fueling a Mavericks Turnaround
As Flagg has started to find his rhythm, so have the Mavericks. After a rocky 4-12 start, Dallas has won four of its last five and is clawing its way back into the Western Conference mix. They’re now sitting in 11th, just outside the play-in picture, but trending in the right direction.
This turnaround hasn’t been a one-man show - improved defense and steadier guard play have played a role - but Flagg’s emergence has been a major catalyst.
Over the last five games, he’s scored 19 or more points in four of them. He’s averaging 17.3 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting an efficient 47.5% from the field. That’s not just rookie-of-the-year stuff - that’s “this kid might be special” territory.
“He’s making strides,” said teammate P.J. Washington.
“Each and every day he’s learning. He’s putting in the work and obviously he’s going to be a great player in this league.”
Veteran big man Anthony Davis has seen enough to know Flagg’s not just surviving - he’s evolving.
“He’s playing free,” Davis said. “He’s starting to figure out how to play against the pressure and where his spots are on the floor. He wants to be held accountable, he wants to be great and he’s going to continue to learn.”
One Possession at a Time
For all the hype, all the comparisons, and all the expectations, Flagg isn’t getting ahead of himself. He knows greatness doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built possession by possession, day by day, game by game.
And while the NBA spotlight can be blinding, Flagg seems to be seeing things more clearly than ever.
The game is slowing down. His confidence is growing. And if this is just the beginning, the Mavericks - and the league - may be witnessing the rise of something truly special.