NBA analysts have revealed why they consider Cooper Flag will probably be coming into an elite defensive season as a rookie.
The 18-year-old was general first chosen by the Dallas Mavericks after an unbelievable efficiency at Duke within the NCAA Event.
There was no a lot doubt about him being the primary general decide within the 2025 draft, as he had already confirmed his means to play with NBA gamers when he was with the USA Choose workforce final 12 months.
The Cooper Flag is unbelievable on each ends of the ground, and the identical is predicted from him when he begins his NBA profession.
He’s additionally a part of the stacked Mavs roster, and Tim Legler believes it means Flag must step up defensively.
Flaggg has appeared within the NBA as one in every of his finest outlooks as of late, as his identify has been circulating round league circles since highschool.
He had a number of school affords, however he selected to common 19.5 factors at Duke, however most significantly, Flag averaged 1.4 blocks and stole lots of metal within the NCAA Event.
The Mavs rookie gave a glimpse into his sparkle in his summer season league performances, incomes 10 and 31 within the two video games he performed there.
Nevertheless, Legler noticed one thing defensively from him and made him consider that Flag could be defensively essential to MAV.
He states:
“Crucial factor in primary is his lateral actions as a ball defender, and as a weak facet defender, he expects the bottom he covers, the place he must be subsequent, and the extent of exercise he’s.
“He has the power to get better and athleticism in order that he can nonetheless stand there and annoy you, even when he defeats the dribbling.”
LeBron James stated Flag has the posh of enjoying on a roster filled with legends similar to Clay Thompson, Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving.
This helps him be taught quite a bit as a rookie, however places lots of strain from him because the primary decide.
His teammates actually maintain him accountable, and as soon as the rookie enters the league, Flag additionally has an opportunity to compete for the championship.
Legler added: “His IQ, I need somebody essential to him. That is essential to me. I believe you may discover him sooner. the primary 10 video games you have seen the Cooper Flag.
“There usually are not many people who find themselves being attentive to the league. They wish to rating, they need alternatives, they need contact, they’re often on a nasty workforce, their protection is not that essential.
“He is on a workforce that’s anticipated to compete and will probably be plugged in there quickly, so his protection will probably be scrutiny.”
