The NBA is officially hitting the pause button as the league descends upon Los Angeles for an All-Star weekend that feels more significant than usual. While more than half the league is heading for a much-needed vacation to gear up for the final playoff push, the elite, and a few hand-picked young stars, are taking center stage.
Between the three-point shootout and the Slam Dunk contest, the main attraction is the revamped All-Star game. By switching to a “Team USA vs. Team World” format, the league is desperately trying to revive the competitive fire that made this event a cultural staple decades ago.
Joining the GOATs: Cooper Flagg’s Historic Rookie Numbers
The “Rising Stars” game was set to feature the youngest player in the league and the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg. For the Dallas Mavericks, Flagg has been the solitary bright side in a season defined by navigating the fallout of the Luka Doncic trade to the Lakers.
Despite the team’s struggles, Flagg’s individual production has been nothing short of legendary. Averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, Flagg has entered a stratosphere of efficiency that few ever reach.
According to research from SportRadar covering the last 60 years, only a handful of players have managed to average at least 20/6/4 in the pre-All-Star stretch of their rookie seasons. It is a list of icons:
- Michael Jordan (1985 Bulls): 28.2 PPG / 6.5 RPG / 5.9 APG
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970 Bucks): 28.8 PPG / 14.5 RPG / 4.1 APG
- Sidney Wicks (1972 Trail Blazers): 24.5 PPG / 11.5 RPG / 4.3 APG
- Luka Doncic (2019 Mavericks): 21.2 PPG / 7.8 RPG / 6.0 APG
- Cooper Flagg (2025 Mavericks): 20.4 PPG / 6.6 RPG / 4.1 APG
It’s a poetic coincidence that Flagg and Luka are the only two players to join this club in the last 40 years. While many wonder what could have been if Luka had never left for L.A., Flagg’s rookie campaign suggests that the Dallas franchise is in incredibly capable hands for the next decade.
Flagg’s Setback and the Mavericks’ Strategic Blueprint for 2026
Unfortunately, the momentum for Flagg hit a snag this week. The Mavericks announced that an MRI revealed a left midfoot sprain, forcing the rookie to sidelined for the upcoming matchup against the Lakers and the Castrol Rising Stars game on Friday night. It’s a disappointing blow for fans who wanted to see him on the national stage, but the Dallas front office is prioritizing the long-term health of their cornerstone.
They already know exactly what they have in Flagg, which is why they’ve already moved Anthony Davis to begin clearing the deck for an offseason roster overhaul designed 100% around their rookie phenom.
Ironically, the Mavericks’ final game before the break is against the Lakers in Los Angeles, but neither the past nor the future of Dallas will be on the court. While Flagg is out, Doncic is also set to miss his fourth straight game as he rehabs. The hope for the “Team World” faithful is that Luka can progress enough to make a cameo in Sunday’s main event.
Read the full article here
