Dallas Mavericks’ 2025 top pick Cooper Flagg has been very dedicated in helping his team and finding his role in a roster filled with veterans. There’s this one report which said he was using NBA 2K6 to study the tendencies of his teammates and eventually fit with their game.
Pre-season games have arrived and finally got to put to test what he learned from the video game. Looks like there’s more adjustment needed to be made.
Mavs fell to the Charlotte Hornets in their pre-season encounter, 116-120, no thanks to stellar play by LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and Bradon Miller. Dallas’ first five played at least 20 minutes each but some fans made an observation about the way the veterans played.
They are particularly critical about Anthony Davis who they thought out of shape and was not fulfilling his role as a power forward, getting spotted lost in the defense and having subpar outside shooting. It can be remembered that the one-time champion insisted that he wants to play more of power forward.
Flagg, who scored 11 points in that game, thinks it is his role to make his veteran big man feel more comfortable.
“I gotta find ways to help AD more, play off him a little better,” Flagg said told reporters.
“Help him impact the game when he’s posting up, getting his isos. So I gotta find a way to help him a little bit more but I think it’s been huge trying to fit together.”
Should not be Cooper Flagg’s problem?
Flagg’s quote, on any given day, should be seen as a reflection of his dedication to the game.
I don’t think people realize how incredibly mature this is — at 18 or 28.
— Analytics Capper (@AnalyticsCapper) October 13, 2025
However, some fans find it odd because a veteran like AD should know what his role is. They think AD’s play has dropped and it is a shame that Flagg has to change his game to allow him to keep up.
Rookie talking about how he’s gotta prop up a 13 year vet so he can play up to his standard. Genuinely shameful https://t.co/QcRtP1UXSp
— Robi (@Yeeeerrrrobi) October 12, 2025
AD so fucking ass our rookie talking about needing to help him bro we really traded Luka for this https://t.co/73eA7U1lCQ
— Fluka Magic 🕷️ (@FlukaMagic) October 12, 2025
Holy shit Mavs fans switched up on AD QUICK https://t.co/PRBD5VpbHY pic.twitter.com/SaoBjXUsMu
— Six 👽 (@SixZamier) October 12, 2025
This will make Flagg a better player in the long run, but this is also why so many of us didn’t want him to play this role. He has so much on his plate already. He has things he need to work on but now he has to find ways (and time) to get AD to “impact the game.” https://t.co/XONQc61lVb
— CJ Bagby (@cjbcool) October 12, 2025
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