The Dallas Mavericks have more than their fair share of veteran talent, although one youngster with a Duke connection has stepped up and is showing Cooper Flagg the ropes.
Between Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Davis, the Dallas Mavericks have no shortage of future Hall of Famers. Even their head coach, Jason Kidd, enjoyed an incredibly successful 19-year playing career.
Despite the established talent on their roster, 18-year-old rookie Cooper Flagg is front and center. He is one of the most hyped prospects in NBA history and is expected to lead the franchise to great success in the coming seasons, but first, he has to get his feet wet.
While Irving, Thompson, Davis, and Kidd were all in his shoes once, a fellow youngster has taken it upon himself to show him how to carry himself and be successful.
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesCooper Flagg might be ‘frightened’ by the NBA
Flagg has been touted for his competitive nature and intense demeanor, even more than his physical abilities. The spotlight is not new to him; he was a celebrity in the sports space before he attended Duke, but the NBA lifestyle is vastly different than anything he has ever experienced.
Despite going to Mountverde Academy, a boarding school in Florida, this is the first time he has really “called the shots,” so to speak, and despite his talents, he is in unfamiliar territory.
His Mavericks teammate and former Blue Devils center Dereck Lively II understands the adjustment and has gone out of his way to make the new star feel welcome.
“I’m making sure he feels as comfortable as possible, giving him any little detail or advice,” Lively told The Dallas Hoops Journal. “I remember how frightened I was at 19. He’s only 18.”
Lively, as the 12th overall pick in 2023 and a five-star recruit before that, knows the pressures that come with being a rookie better than most, and even though he was not a household name like Flagg is, he’s been in the exact same spot.
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesLively II is exploiting the Duke connection
Lively II, like Flagg, played for head coach Jon Scheyer in Durham. Irving, also a Duke alum, played only 11 games for the Blue Devils, who were then led by Mike Krzyzewski.
While Scheyer is a “Coach K” disciple, the military-influenced systems implemented by Krzyzewski have been pulled back, so the Duke Irving attended was vastly different than the one Flagg and Lively II went to.
Even before he committed to the Blue Devils, Flagg and Lively II were friendly.
“I’ve probably known him for a couple of years now, at least two or three,” Lively added. “He’s always been the same smiling, joking kid. I’m glad he’s been able to stay grounded, not letting the spotlight overwhelm him. Whether he’s in the gym or hanging out at the house, he’s always just being Coop.”
On the court, Flagg is known as a voracious competitor with a Kobe Bryant-adjacent mentality. Off the court, he is barely an adult, and Lively II makes sure to keep that in mind.