Dallas Maverick has more than a significant share of the veteran talent, but the youngsters with Duke connections step up and show off the Cooper Flag.
Between Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, the Dallas Mavericks are not short of future Hall of Fame inductees. Even their head coach Jason Kidd enjoyed a very successful 19 years of career.
Despite the established talent of their roster, the 18-year-old rookie Cooper Flag is front and center. He is one of the most hyped outlooks in NBA history and is expected to lead the franchise to great success in the upcoming season, but first, he has to get his feet wet.
Irving, Thompson, Davis and Kidd were wearing shoes once, but took it to show how their fellow young people could carry themselves and succeed.
Flaggg is touted for his competitive nature and fierce attitude, even more than his physical abilities. The spotlight is nothing new to him. He was a celebrity in the sports space before attending Duke, but the NBA lifestyle is very different from what he’s experienced before.
Despite going to Mount Verde Academy, a boarding school in Florida, this is the first time he has said, so to speak, that he really “calls the shot,” and despite his talent, he is in unfamiliar territory.
His Mavericks teammate and former Blue Devils center Derek Lively II understands the adjustments and is out of his way to welcome the new star.
“I’m making sure he feels as comfortable as possible and making sure he gives him some details and advice,” Lively said. Dallas Hoop Journal. “I remember I was 19. He’s only 18.”
Lively knows the pressures that come with being a rookie, as the 12th overall pick in 2023 and the previous five-star recruit.
Lively II played for Durham’s manager Jon Scheyer, like Flagg. Irving, who is also a Duke alumni, only played 11 games for the Blue Devils.
Scheyer is a pupil of “Coach K,” but the participating Duke Irving was very different from the one flag that one Flag Undrie II did, as the military-affected systems implemented by Krzyzewski were pulled back.
Flag and Livelyge were friendly even before he committed to the Blue Devils.
“I’ve probably known him at least a few times, for a few years,” Lively added. “He’s always joked with the same smile. I’m glad he’s able to stay on the ground. He doesn’t let the spotlight over him. Whether he’s in the gym or hanging out at home, he’s always working together.”
In the court, Flag is known as a greedy competitor with a mentality adjacent to Kobe Bryant. Leave the court, he’s almost an adult and Lively II should keep that in mind.