Introduction to the Cooper Flagg Era

LAS VEGAS — The Cooper Flagg era unofficially began Thursday night when the Dallas Mavericks opened the Las Vegas Summer League with an 87-85 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. This highly anticipated debut marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Mavericks, and fans were eager to see Flagg in action. Here are five key observations from Flagg’s debut in Thursday’s win over the Lakers:

Center of Attention: Flagg vs. James

The Thomas & Mack Center drew a nearly full arena, with fans waiting to see Flagg match up against Lakers sophomore guard Bronny James. The anticipation was palpable from the start, with the Lakers sending two defenders to double-team Flagg immediately after the jump ball. Flagg drew attention early, but James had a quick start, scoring the first five points for the Lakers. James drilled a smooth step-back from the midrange over Flagg and followed it up with a triple as Flagg went under a screen.

The two headliners guarded each other several times throughout the game. Flagg posted James up on three consecutive possessions in the second quarter, sparking excitement from the crowd. James managed to cleanly poke the ball away from Flagg on the second post-up attempt, but a foul was called, and the fans jeered. Flagg was successful on the third attempt, drilling a midrange shot over LeBron James’ eldest son.

James had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter but missed a hesitation 3-pointer as the final buzzer expired. Flagg finished with 10 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 31 minutes of action.

Flagg’s Second Wind

Flagg went to the bench after the first timeout to catch a quick breather after missing his first two shots. Upon checking back into the game, he made several high-impact plays. The Mavericks rookie came up with a steal and took the ball the length of the court, outrunning two Lakers defenders before throwing down a one-handed dunk. He followed that up with a midrange shot, knocking it down as he fell to the floor.

Flagg showed his versatile skill set, defending well, getting over screens, serving as a viable playmaker, and rebounding. However, he didn’t shoot the ball well, finishing just 5-of-21 from the field. It’s natural that Flagg could be rusty, considering it was his first official game since Duke was eliminated from the Final Four in March.

“I tried to be aggressive,” Flagg said. “That’s new for me. Honestly, that might be one of the worst games of my life, but we got the win, so that’s what really matters to me.”

Point Flagg

After weeks of anticipation, the basketball world received a glimpse of Mavericks coach Jason Kidd’s vision for Flagg in a point guard role. Flagg brought the ball up the court several times, managing to be successful with his handle, even when Lakers defenders tried to be physical. He was often picked up full court but used his body to shield himself from defenders looking to steal the ball.

Late in the fourth quarter, Flagg drove into the paint, spun as if he was going to rise for a midrange shot, and swung the ball to Maxwell Lewis in the corner for a clean 3-pointer. It was only his third assist, but an example of his high IQ on display. Flagg is just 18 years old, but he showed poise initiating the offense and made smart passes, especially in transition.

“I was looking forward to it,” Flagg said. “Obviously being able to split some reps with Ryan [Nembhard] and share that with him. It was fun. It’s new for me bringing it up, having that full court pressure. I’m not in full game shape, so I was tired … It was fun to experiment with some new things.”

Mavericks’ Two-Ways

Flagg wasn’t the only player who made an impression in Thursday’s game. Mavericks two-way guard Ryan Nembhard, known as a playmaker, led the team in scoring with 21 points and five assists. Two-way guard Miles Kelly added 17 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Both players started alongside Flagg, Jamarion Sharp, and Maxwell Lewis.

Blanket of Support

Notable faces sitting courtside included Mavs Governor Patrick Dumont, Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington, Max Christie, Naji Marshall, Jaden Hardy, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper. This group of Mavericks rose to their feet early in the second quarter when Flagg drilled a fadeaway shot from the baseline over the outstretched hands of James. Flagg showed his fiery spirit, appearing to yell toward his new teammates, celebrating the successful moment of competition against James.

“I definitely heard them. It was cool seeing them there and showing up in support of us,” Flagg said. Members of the front office and coaching staff were also present, including assistant general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi, along with head coach Jason Kidd and new lead assistant coach Frank Vogel.

Conclusion

Cooper Flagg’s summer league debut was a highly anticipated event, and he did not disappoint. Despite some initial rust, Flagg showed his versatility, defensive skills, and playmaking ability. The Mavericks’ win over the Lakers marked a successful start to their summer league campaign, and Flagg’s performance was a significant factor in this victory. As the summer league continues, fans can expect to see more of Flagg’s skills on display, and his development will be closely watched.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Cooper Flagg perform in his summer league debut?

A: Flagg finished with 10 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 31 minutes of action, showcasing his versatile skill set despite some initial rust.

Q: Who were some notable players in attendance for the Mavericks’ summer league opener?

A: Notable faces included Mavs Governor Patrick Dumont, Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington, Max Christie, Naji Marshall, Jaden Hardy, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper, among others.

Q: What was the final score of the Mavericks’ summer league opener against the Lakers?

A: The Mavericks won 87-85.

Q: How did Ryan Nembhard perform in the game?

A: Nembhard led the team in scoring with 21 points and five assists, making a significant impact alongside Flagg.