12-20-2025, 02:05 PM
(12-20-2025, 01:50 PM)Smitty Wrote: I don’t know that I’m ready to go there, yet. Putting him in LeBron conversations is something I’d personally take extra care with. Comparing him to Luka is just silly all together. There is nothing about their games that are remotely the same… but I understand why Mavs fans will want to compare the two.
I will say that I thoroughly enjoy watching Cooper play basketball. I think it will take time for the more casual Mavs fans to get attached because he’s not the flashy offensive player we’re used to. Elite defense is less sexy.
I do agree with your overall point that no one should be putting a cap on his potential. He’s already ahead of what I thought he’d be at this point in his career and it seems that he’s the type that will tirelessly work on his craft.
I agree with this, overall, but I've actually wondered about the "casual fans" point you made. Part of me thinks the athletic component of Flagg's game (reminds me a little of young Blake Griffin at times with the dunking) might be MORE flashy for that type, not less. My father, for example, follows the team, but doesn't have nearly as nuanced an understanding of the sport as I do, let alone league politics, cap rules, long term roster building, etc. I can tell you he's already a much bigger believer in Flagg than he ever was in Luka. For that type of fan, at least some of them, the whiny stuff from Luka...the lack of defensive effort at times...even the step back threes that didn't go in, believe it or not...idk, I think a pretty significant sect of that type of fan didn't buy into Luka as much as we did. Meanwhile, Flagg is driving the lane for monster dunks on a nightly basis, blocking shots, etc. It's easier to SEE his impact on the game at times, especially relative to some of Luka's bad shooting nights. I just don't think every fan appreciated the "manipulate the entire defense" part of Luka's bag as much as we hardcore fans could.
Just a theory.