Cooper Flagg doesn’t sound like a rookie who’s trying to find his footing in Dallas. If anything, he sounds like someone who already feels at home.
The former Duke star said plenty of good things about his new city while talking about life with the Mavericks. “Dallas has been amazing.
It's a beautiful city. Incredible people,” Flagg answered, per Yahoo.
“There's not much to complain about. I wish it would cool down a little bit, it's been a very hot summer.
That's my only complaint. And you know what, if that's what I complain about in the place I live for the rest of my life, I have worse things to worry about.”
That kind of response fits the way Flagg has handled the spotlight for years. He has been in the public eye since high school, and at Duke he kept things simple: produce on the floor, handle everything else the right way.
On the court, Flagg has already shown why he belongs in the conversation among the NBA’s top young talents. He’s a very good player now, and after a season that showed he can impact the game on both ends as a rookie, there’s every reason to think he’ll keep climbing. Victor Wembanyama may still be the only young player clearly ahead of him in that discussion.
For Mavericks fans, hearing Flagg speak so positively about Dallas has to land well. The franchise has already gone through one of the most jarring moves in recent NBA memory, and any sign of stability matters.
Flagg isn’t Luka Doncic, and there was never any reason to treat him like a player to move on from. But the standard around stars in Dallas has been impossible to ignore.
For now, though, the message is straightforward: Flagg is enjoying himself, and he sees plenty to like about where he is. That gives the Mavericks something encouraging to hold onto, both now and down the line.
In Other News...
Dukes Fast Start Is Fueling A Respect Debate Fans Hate
Dukes fast start has only intensified a familiar conversation around the program and its league: how much respect is enough, and who is willing to give it? After winning the ACC title a year ago, the Blue Devils have opened this season well enough to draw attention in the AFCA poll, a sign their momentum is being noticed somewhere, even if the broader national picture still feels stuck on the same old doubts about the conference.
The issue, as it so often is with ACC teams, comes down to proof. The leagues reputation has been battered by the perception of chaos at the top and inconsistency across the board, and Dukes next stretch will matter far more than its early glow. To force its way into the AP conversation, the Blue Devils likely need to do more than keep winning the games they should, with stronger conference opponents standing as the real test of whether this start turns into earned respect. [Read more 🡒]
Walker Eget Keeps Getting Overlooked As Duke Stays Unbeaten
Walker Eget has done his part to help Duke start 4-0, throwing for 721 yards with six touchdowns and just one interception through four games. Even with those numbers, he still seems to be slipping under the radar nationally, which is a little strange for a quarterback guiding an unbeaten team into the heart of ACC play.
The latest reminder came in ESPNs quarterback rankings, where Eget landed well down the list even as Duke keeps winning. The broader takeaway was familiar: the Blue Devils have leaned on a strong defense and the steady production of Nate Sheppard, and now the real question is whether Eget can show enough growth once the schedule stiffens and the pressure starts to rise. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Looks Ready Again But The ACC Wont Make This Easy
Duke enters the new ACC season with the kind of profile that usually turns preseason optimism into real pressure. The Blue Devils have the look of a program built to contend again, with a roster that blends continuity, size and enough experience to make them a clear reference point as the league sorts itself out. In a conference that still has plenty of credible challengers, that matters because every top-end game will be a test of whether Duke can turn talent into week-to-week consistency.
Virginia, Miami, Louisville and North Carolina all bring their own reasons to believe they can stay in the race, whether that means returning scorers, roster additions or changes on the sideline. But the bigger question for Duke is how much margin it can afford when the ACC schedule starts tightening. The Blue Devils may look the part of a favorite, yet the gap between preseason status and the final standings can disappear quickly once league play begins. [Read more 🡒]