Cooper Flagg isn’t just playing basketball-he’s meticulously studying the league’s elite, using their techniques as a blueprint to accelerate his own development and potentially become one of the NBA’s top players in record time.
The 18-year-old with the Dallas Mavericks organization is currently analyzing Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Lauri Markkanen, showing a player meticulously preparing to become one of the league’s best.
“He really is somebody who’s a visual learner,” said Matt MacKenzie, a key member of Flagg’s inner circle. “And so we’ve spent some time doing that this summer.
“If he’s got the ball in his hands, we just want to make sure that he’s always confident and ready to attack a spot and make a play.”
“We’ve studied Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s driving angles, worked a lot on the footwork and balance that Kevin Durant puts into his game, and Jayson Tatum is somebody who he’s studied a lot.
“He’s a student of the game. He wants to be better, and he’s going to do whatever it takes to get there.”
Flagg even examines subtler details like Markkanen’s landing mechanics after three-pointers, showing just how far this obsessive study is going as it forms the foundation for his NBA readiness.
Dallas is the perfect place to develop
The Mavericks, who unexpectedly secured the No. 1 pick in the lottery, offer the perfect environment for him to apply these lessons alongside stars Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis.
We were told not to show much emotion on camera,” MacKenzie said. “When Dallas got called as No. 1, we just side-eyed each other and smirked.”
Flagg will not be forced into immediate heroics as instead, he can refine his instincts in game situations while learning from veterans – this ability to make mistakes and learn from them will only help his growth.
His rookie contract, projected at around $28.3 million for the first two years, reflects the Mavericks’ long-term commitment to his development and endorsements from his role models further motivate him as Durant has praised him in the past.
“He looked like a hell of a player. Somebody that’s going to only get better with more experience,” Durant said. Whilst Tatum separately acknowledged Flagg by resharing a draft photo, signaling a symbolic passing of the torch.
Every driving lane from SGA, every balance cue from Durant, and every pace change from Tatum is meticulously cataloged by Flagg.
While many rookies chase highlights and social media attention, Flagg rewinds film to understand how stars sustain excellence.
For Dallas, his mindset is ideal: not only to grow as a player but also to become someone who elevates those around him, turning lessons from the greats into his own dominance.
Who do the Mavericks play in Game 1? Date, time and where to watch
The Dallas Mavericks are set to open their NBA season on Wednesday, October 22 at 21:30 ET/18:30 PT, facing the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center.
Fans can watch the game on NBA League Pass, with national broadcasting on ESPN.
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