Cooper Flagg‘s introduction to the NBA is quickly turning into something bigger than a promising rookie story, and for many around the league, the comparisons are already reaching historic territory.
After becoming the youngest player in NBA history to score 35 points in a game and breaking a record previously held by LeBron James, the Dallas Mavericks rookie is now being talked about in terms usually reserved for generational stars. One of the loudest voices fueling that conversation belongs to former NBA standout Jim Jackson, who sees striking similarities between Flagg and one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.
From Jackson’s perspective, Flagg’s impact goes well beyond highlight plays or raw scoring ability. He believes the rookie forward mirrors LeBron James in the way he processes the game, makes plays for others and elevates everyone around him. Jackson, now a lead color commentator for both Fox Sports and the Los Angeles Clippers, explained that Flagg’s foundation as a player is built on playmaking just as much as scoring, which is one of the defining traits that separated James early in his career.
What makes Cooper Flagg different
According to Jackson, Flagg has the footwork, shooting mechanics and overall skill package of a high-level player, but what truly sets him apart is his ability to stay connected with teammates and function as the ultimate team player. That unselfish approach is not theoretical for Jackson, who watched Flagg extensively during his lone season at Duke.
While the public narrative around Flagg focused on his talent and basketball IQ, Jackson said seeing it in person reinforced just how advanced those traits were at such a young age. The constant energy stood out more than anything else, as Flagg was always in motion, consistently running the floor and creating opportunities without needing the ball in his hands every possession.
His motor, combined with a natural instinct to involve others, made him effective even on nights when he was not dominating the scoring column. In fact, Jackson revealed that Duke head coach Jon Scheyer sometimes had to push Flagg to be more aggressive offensively because his first instinct was often to make the right pass rather than take the shot.
A competitive mindset in the NBA
That mindset now carries over to the NBA, where Flagg finds himself in a situation that is far different from most No. 1 overall picks. Instead of being dropped into a rebuilding franchise with the pressure to immediately save a struggling organization, he joined a Dallas team loaded with proven veterans.
Jackson believes that environment is ideal for Flagg’s long-term development because he does not have to shoulder the full weight of a franchise from Day One the way many top picks do. The opportunity to grow naturally, rather than being forced into instant superstardom, could be the key factor that allows him to reach his full potential.
Defensively, Jackson sees another layer of LeBron-like potential developing in Flagg. While his scoring and playmaking grab headlines, his dedication to becoming an elite defender may prove just as important in shaping his career. With the Mavericks already stocked with strong defenders and rim protectors, Jackson believes Flagg has the right structure around him to grow into both a high-level on-ball defender and a reliable help defender.
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