Cooper Flagg‘s meteoric rise in the NBA has been nothing short of remarkable.
At just 18 years old, the former Duke standout secured a four-year, $62.7 million rookie contract with the Dallas Mavericks, making him the youngest No. 1 overall pick since LeBron James in 2003.
However, this swift ascent has sparked debates about the current state of rookie development in the NBA.
Criticism from Rashad McCants
Former NBA guard Rashad McCants recently voiced his concerns about the rapid promotion of young players like Flagg. In an interview with RG Media, McCants stated:
“I’m not really big on the freshmen coming out and the young guys because they’re underdeveloped. They’re so underdeveloped and so overhyped.”
McCants drew a comparison between Flagg‘s situation and that of Kobe Bryant, who spent two seasons earning his place before becoming a regular starter.
He argued that today’s rookies are often thrust into significant roles without the necessary development.
Cooper Flagg’s response
Flagg has addressed these criticisms head-on. In a recent interview, he emphasized the importance of trust and responsibility in his development:
“I think just having Coach Shire trusting me and just like having that usage and, you know, him just putting the ball in my hands a lot and letting me make decisions just helps my game to grow a lot in that area of just making plays for myself and for others.”
He further added, “It’s always been about just getting better all around. There’s always so much you can work on and get better at, so just trying to get better all around all the time.”
These statements reflect Flagg‘s commitment to continuous improvement and his readiness to take on challenges.
Flagg’s impressive track record
Flagg‘s performance at Duke University further supports his readiness for the NBA. In his freshman season, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, earning the Wooden Award and unanimous All-ACC honors.
His shooting accuracy was notable, with a 50.3% field goal percentage and 38.9% from three-point range. These statistics highlight his well-rounded game and potential for success at the professional level.
In the NBA Summer League, Flagg continued to impress. In his second game, he scored 31 points, showcasing his scoring ability and adaptability.
Despite some challenges, his performance demonstrated his capacity to adjust quickly to the professional environment.
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