After Cooper Flagg 's somewhat modest start to his NBA career, averaging 13.8 points over his first six appearances while shooting 37.3 percent from the field, many have begun to question if the Duke sensation truly warranted such hype before proving his worth on the big stage. However, former Lakers legend Michael Cooper sees the situation through a very different lens.
Not only does he appreciate Flagg's demeanor in adjusting to a new role without complaint, but Cooper also acknowledges the youngster's heart in wanting to make an impact in one way or another for the greater good of his team. The Los Angeles Lakers legend is admitting that the Mavs rookie has the superstar potential to chase a Larry Bird-esque ceiling.
Transitioning from college basketball to the NBA after a one-off season is one of the most challenging tasks for a young player. Additionally, coach Jason Kidd expects Flagg to be the focal point of the Mavs' offense and their primary ball handler, starting in the backcourt.
With Kyrie Irving already out, and frontcourt members like Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II also enduring injuries, Cooper is constantly expected to adjust his playing style in different lineups. Thus, not only has his versatility not been on showcase in the majority of the games, but Flagg's scoring production and efficiency have also been affected.
Despite the statistical dip, Flagg's poise and confidence have impressed the five-time NBA champion the most. In fact, Michael feels that the ability to keep their team first and always be present for the team to make plays in one way or another signals mental toughness, something that he sees can elevate Cooper to the same level as Larry Legend.
"There's a young man now — Cooper Flagg . Watching him play the other night, that kid is going to be very special, an 18-year-old. 6'9", 6'10". They are playing him as a point guard now," Cooper said in an interview. "I mean, that young man has the potential to be as good as a player of Larry Bird's caliber or any NBA player, but he's a special player."
Interestingly, Bird, in the 1979-80 season, averaged 18.6 points per game and recorded two double-doubles in his first six appearances. It is safe to say that those numbers were impressive but not world-shattering when viewed in hindsight.
As the season progresses, Cooper, too, must remember that his ceiling cannot be defined by his first few weeks in the league, no matter how critical fans or media might be. The 18-year-old's journey so far has been made even tougher by the Mavericks' ongoing struggles with their frontcourt injuries, forcing him to adapt to constant lineup changes and added responsibilities.
Still, Flagg's perseverance and willingness to embrace challenges suggest a maturity beyond his years, and that is perhaps why Cooper wants to see such a stud succeed and hopefully reach the MVP and All-NBA ceiling that Bird reached during his prime in the 1980s.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Nov 3, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
