🏀 Cooper Flagg’s Even-Odd Debut: A Mixed Bag
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Box score highlights: 10 points on 5/21 shooting, plus 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and a block in 32 minutes as Dallas edged out LA 87–85 Wikipédia+15Reuters+15New York Post+15.
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Second-half silence: Despite a hot start, both Flagg and Bronny James were scoreless after halftime Fox Sports+11Reuters+11ESPN.com+11.
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Worthy of criticism: Flagg acknowledged it was “one of the worst games” of his life, yet celebrated the win and his teammates stepping up New York Post.
🔁 What Went Down & What It Revealed
1. Defensive Hustle
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Flagg’s highlight: a clutch late-game block followed by a transition layup, followed by an assist that iced the game The Times of India+12ESPN.com+12New York Post+12.
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His defensive instincts and effort impressed coach Jason Kidd, who praised his poise and versatility The Times of India+10ESPN.com+10Reuters+10.
2. Shooting Struggles
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Shooting woes: Flagg hit just under 24% overall, and missed all five three-point attempts The Times of India+10The Washington Post+10Diario AS+10.
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He admitted the adjustment to NBA spacing and pace was tough, but remained confident he’d improve Yahoo Sports+12CBSSports.com+12The Times of India+12.
3. Playmaking Potential
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Flagg shined as a facilitator: 4 assists and steady decision-making highlighted his vision ESPN.com+6Reuters+6New York Post+6.
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Jason Kidd utilized him frequently as a ball-handler, drawing parallels to Grant Hill .
4. True NBA Physique
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At 6′8″ with a 7-foot wingspan and 220 lbs, Flagg moves seamlessly between positions Yahoo Sports.
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His defensive ability to guard bigger wings and protect the rim stands out even early .
🌟 Bronny James Steady, But Not Game-Changer
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Scored 8 points on 2/8 shooting; made a smooth early jumper but faded late New York Post.
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Came up short on a potential game-winning 3 as time expired Diario AS+15Reuters+15Fox Sports+15.
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Earned respect guarding a physical mismatch against Flagg, generating confidence defensively Diario AS+12CBSSports.com+12New York Post+12.
🧠 The Takeaways
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Flagg has star traits: Versatility, NBA-ready physique, and elite defense make him a high-upside rookie CBSSports.com+2Wikipédia+2New York Post+2.
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Still a work in progress: Shooting woes and half-court rhythm need refinement .
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Mental toughness shows: His candid admission of a bad night—and still delivering when it mattered—highlights his composure New York Post.
🧭 Next Steps
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Summer League ahead: Flagg will continue to develop spacing, shooting rhythm, and composure through more matchups .
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Growth opportunity: Under Kidd’s guidance, he’ll likely feature more as ball-handler to expand his toolkit.
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Potential cornerstone: With flashes already visible, he could become a foundational piece for the Mavericks alongside veterans.
Bottom line: Cooper Flagg showed elite potential and maturity in flashes, but also the expected learning curve. His defense, playmaking, and composure are real. If he smooths out his shooting and adapts to the NBA half-court game, he could become a franchise-changing talent.
