They say time heals all wounds. For Mavericks fans, that clock finally starts ticking again on October 22.
The sting of sending Luka Dončić to La La Land still lingers, but basketball fate can be funny that way. Dallas lost a franchise icon and somehow landed an emerging one in Cooper Flagg.
Some cynics won’t buy it. They’ve seen Duke phenoms come and go, great college stars who never quite stayed healthy long enough to build what their talent promised. Grant Hill and Zion Williamson together have already missed over 800 games, and Zion’s not done adding to that number.
But I’m not one of those cynics.
Cooper Flagg is the real deal. The irony of it all is that a former Duke great, Kyrie Irving, will now help shape his career as a teammate and floor general guiding the Mavericks offense.
Former Mavericks guard Derek Harper didn’t need much convincing when I asked about the rookie.
“First things first, Cooper stays in the gym. I just think his overall skill set will fit well with the veteran guys that are already here. Surprisingly as a young player, he doesn’t force a lot of shots, plays within the system.”
Thomas Hill, who won a pair of titles under Mike Krzyzewski, echoed that sentiment.
“Cooper has the maturity and basketball IQ level that’s different than most," Krzyzewski said. "The sky is the limit and I’m excited to watch his evolution his next decade and beyond.”
Mavs broadcaster Brian Dameris added his early impressions from training camp.
“He’s had an immediate impact. He doesn’t want to take reps off, he has a tireless work ethic. As he showed in his first pre season game the other night, he can effect the game on both ends. He’ll benefit greatly being on a veteran team and Jason Kidd will allow him to develop at his own pace.”
The curtain rises on October 22 against the Spurs, the same team Cooper dropped 31 points on during the Summer League. Fasten your seatbelts, as my old friend Ralph Lawler would say. It’s showtime in Dallas.
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