Stephen A. Smith got real ahead of Wednesday’s NBA Draft. The analyst challenged the idea that top prospect Cooper Flagg would be the perfect fit for the Dallas Mavericks on his show “First Take” on Wednesday.
Smith said:
”Cooper Flagg is no joke, and his versatility really, really comes shining through. But I’m going to caution everybody … ownership can mess stuff up, and the fact that they let go of Luka [Doncic], remember how people were reacting.”
Smith highlighted what Flagg brings to the table and urged the Mavericks not to hinder the young star’s development.
“This brother Cooper Flagg a freshman National Player of the Year, one of only four people in history to do that, it’s coming with big time expectations,” Smith said. “You gotta make sure that y’all don’t mess this up as an organization.”
Dallas won the NBA Draft Lottery despite having just a 1.8% chance to do so. The team was awarded with the top pick in the upcoming draft, which it is almost certain to use on Flagg. However, a lack of faith in the Mavericks’ leadership leads Smith to worry about the youngster’s development.
ESPN Analyst Compares Cooper Flagg’s Fame in Maine to Taylor Swift
Stephen A. Smith isn’t the only analyst sharing their takes about Cooper Flagg ahead of the NBA draft. ESPN basketball analyst and Duke alum Jay Bilas discussed the young star in an interview posted by the official NBA Instagram account on Tuesday.
Bilas compared Flagg’s fame in his home state of Maine to that of another popular star, Taylor Swift.
“When you’re going around Portland, Maine, I can’t tell you how many times I was stopped for people to ask about Cooper [Flagg],” Bilas said. “He’s bigger than Taylor Swift there. It’s amazing.”
Bilas went on to reflect on Flagg’s phenomenal freshman campaign at Duke, during which he led the Blue Devils in every major stat category and was named both National Freshman of the Year and National Player of the Year.
”I happen to think he’s the best freshman player that Duke’s ever had,” Bilas said. “No other freshman produced, as an 18-year-old, the way Cooper Flagg did across the board, not only in the success of the team but also in individual success.”
Bilas was impressed by Flagg’s sole college season and is confident in the skill set he brings to the NBA.
“He’s kinda like a queen on a chessboard for you, because he can play, he can guard multiple positions,” Bilas said. “He’s super athletic, he’s long, got a really good second jump, he’s got great court awareness.”
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