Mavericks fans had waited months to see Cooper Flagg, the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, in the spotlight. Wednesday night finally arrived, although not with the fairytale start many imagined. The Dallas team fell at the America Airlines Center to the Spurs, so it would have been nice to hear the Sixers legend’s advice beforehand.
Unusually starting at point guard in a tall lineup designed by Jason Kidd, the 18-year-old forward faced a relentless welcome from Victor Wembanyama’s red-hot San Antonio Spurs, who cruised to a 125-92 victory. Flagg, the second-youngest starter in league history after LeBron James, didn’t score in the first half before finding some rhythm in the third quarter.
Allen Iverson offers advice to Cooper Flagg
During an interview outside a New York City building, Allen Iverson offered his opinion on Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg, offering advice to the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft for the upcoming NBA season. Coming from another number one pick who went on to become a Hall of Famer, the young Duke forward would be wise to perk up his ears and get out his pen and pencil.
You do that and everything else takes care of itself
“The Answer,” as Iverson is known, dished out several pieces of advice to this year’s first overall pick while speaking with TMZ Sports just before Flagg’s debut Wednesday night. “The biggest thing, and I think this will take care of everything, is to play every game like it’s your last, you know?” Iverson said. “You do that and everything else takes care of itself.”
Flagg would certainly be wise to heed the conversation, especially after his opening night in the NBA didn’t go as planned. Flagg scored just 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting…and Dallas was defeated, 125-92. But the 18-year-old has a few more hours to digest Iverson’s words and turn things around in time for Game 2, which begins against the Wizards later Friday night.
Victor Wembanyama overshadows Cooper Flagg
Frenchman Victor Wembanyama returned to an official game last Wednesday, October 22, with a double-double of 40 points and 15 rebounds that eclipsed Cooper Flagg’s debut with the Dallas Mavericks. This was an NBA game marked by a historic performance by rookie VJ Edgecombe, who scored 34 points in the 76ers’ victory in Boston.
After Tuesday’s opening night, in which the Oklahoma City Thunder opened the NBA season with a double-overtime victory against the Houston Rockets and the Warriors defeated Luka Doncic’s Los Angeles Lakers, 24 franchises made their debut in the new season. The Frenchman destroyed the Mavs with 40 points (15 of 21 shooting) to which he added 15 rebounds and 3 blocks. It was the Spurs’ best performance in an opening game.
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