NBA fans were given their first look at Cooper Flagg as a Dallas Maverick on Thursday night, as he took on Bronny James in their Summer League game.
Flagg became the first white American to be taken first-overall in the NBA draft in 48 years after being selected by the Mavericks last month.
It was hardly shocking that the Mavericks made this move after Flagg’s impressive college displays saw him named National Player of the Year.
With that in mind, NBA fans were keen to see how Flagg will perform for the Mavericks and they got their first taste of that as he took on the Lakers in Las Vegas.
Flagg was named in the starting five for the Mavericks, while Bronny James also started for the Lakers, in a match up that had NBA fans salivating.
And, while most fans were eager to see Flagg take control of proceedings, it was James who struck first as he made the first bucket of the night with a smooth step-back over his Maverick counterpart.
Cooper Flagg made his debut for the Dallas Mavericks in the Summer League on Thursday
Flagg came up against the Los Angeles Lakers and Bronny James in his first outing for Dallas
Flagg, on the other hand, missed his first two attempts of the game before James then added a 3-pointer to his tally for the night.
Shortly afterwards, however, Flagg showed his worth as he drove to the bucket and pulled off a stunning dunk – much to the delight of the Dallas fans in attendance.
The young talents battled away throughout the night and, in the second quarter, Bronny appeared to get the better of Flagg with some impressive defensive work.
Flagg, a native of Newport, Maine, was regarded as one of the clearest-cut first-overall pick since Victor Wembanyama and the most obvious American first-overall pick since fellow Duke star Zion Williamson in 2019.
Unfortunately for Flagg, he missed Duke’s final shot of the game to blow a massive lead to Houston and failed to advance to the national title game.
Months after that loss, the Mavericks won the lottery under dubious circumstances – with many conspiracy theories popping up after Dallas was victorious despite a 1.8 percent chance of taking the top pick.
His arrival gives new hope to a Mavericks team and fanbase still reeling from the Luka Doncic trade back in February.
James and Flagg battle for a loose ball after some impressive work from the Lakers star
Flagg produced a stunning dunk in the first quarter, much to the delight of Dallas fans
Flagg became the first white American player taken first in the NBA Draft in 48 years
Losing Doncic led to the Mavs missing out of the playoffs and many Dallas fans calling for Harrison to be fired.
Now, Flagg will form an elite trio with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis.
Irving – along with PJ Washington – was spotted in attendance on the night as they Maverick stars offered their support to new teammate Flagg.
However, Irving’s long-term future with the team remains up in the air as he’s in talks with the team on a contract extension.
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