The development of Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg will be one of the more interesting storylines to follow in the upcoming season. While the 19-year-old has already impressed many with his versatility and offensive potential, Flagg’s true value could be gauged in his defensive skill, something that could prove to be an underrated strength.
Flagg has gained some attention for his defensive involvement during training camp, something he recognized would be vital early on. He shared more on the matter while speaking with DallasHoopsJournal.com’s Grant Afseth.
“Utilizing our size,” Flagg pointed out while addressing key factors for the Mavericks. “We’ve got a lot of tall, lengthy position players. Using that to our advantage, covering a lot of ground with our length, that’s going to help us.”
Although he possesses the physical tools to be a high-quality defensive presence, Flagg’s defensive upside hasn’t necessarily been widely discussed. In this regard, having him develop into a proper wing presence under the guidance of solid veterans such as Klay Thompson and a defensive stalwart like Anthony Davis could be a unique opportunity for the rookie.
Cooper Flagg’s ability to adapt has been commendable, especially as the intensity of conditioning and training at the professional level is far different from the college level. However, he has already pinpointed some key aspects that will help him remain effective.
“Communication and dedication to playing hard.” Flagg mentioned. “Having five guys on the court communicating and bought in to get stops every possession.”
The 19-year-old also noted how adjusting to a different terminology will be essential in helping him mesh with his teammates. “It’s different, but it’s all the same thing at the end of the day. You just have to get accustomed to saying different things. Sometimes I mess up and say the old terminology from Duke, but saying something is better than saying nothing. Communication is always good.”
Overall, the rookie’s involvement has been promising. With the coaching staff and the team taking note of this, it appears that he could be a reliable presence in the rotation, something that will become more of a necessity at this stage.
The upcoming season is set up to be a test for the Dallas Mavericks. On paper, Dallas has a loaded roster, good enough to earn them the reputation of a title contender. However, Kyrie Irving‘s absence does raise some concerns about their overall potential to compete.
Recent updates regarding Irving’s recovery paint an uncertain picture of the future. In this regard, the Mavericks may need to rely on Cooper Flagg to step into a bigger role alongside Anthony Davis to ensure that they remain in the playoff picture long enough for Irving to make a return.
While reports of Flagg’s performance at training camp have been largely promising, the audience will get its first look at the No. 1 overall pick in action at the Mavs’ preseason opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, Oct. 6, at 8:30 p.m. ET at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, TX.
