Leading up to Copper Flagg’s exhibition debut with the Mavericks on Monday evening, a hoops commentator shared his thoughts, via a well known sports network, about the perceived lack of widespread excitement surrounding Flagg, who is projected as the potential top selection in the upcoming draft.
“Why isn’t there more buzz surrounding Copper Flagg?” the commentator questioned. “It’s puzzling. Aren’t you paying attention? This player is destined for greatness. … It’s a mistake to overlook him.”
I don’t completely agree with that assessment. The period between late July and October tends to be quieter in the basketball world. There isn’t a consistent focus on any specific player. His performances during the summer league games had a great turnout. Once Flagg is participating in regular season matchups, he’ll undoubtedly receive extensive media coverage.
This will especially be true after his showing in his first warm-up game.
In just 14 minutes of play, all within the initial half, Flagg showcased a broad range of skills, amassing 10 points with a 50% shooting percentage, six rebounds, three assists, and one block. He successfully made two out of three attempts from beyond the arc and avoided any turnovers, essentially acting as the primary ball-handler for the Dallas squad.
Flagg wasted no time in making an impact, registering his first highlight within the first minute of his time on the court. He displayed his defensive awareness with a help-side block. This led to a Dallas break down the court, resulting in an impressive alley-oop finish.
Flagg’s defensive abilities are poised to rapidly reach a high level, possibly immediately. He demonstrates excellent agility and timing as a shot blocker. His defensive versatility allows him to effectively guard multiple positions. His innate understanding of the game is invaluable. While these qualities were anticipated, it’s conceivable that he could develop into a defender of a similar caliber to a former defensive player of the year.
Circling back to the matter of point guard skills, Flagg, though listed at a certain height, displays a presence that exceeds that measurement. His ball-handling skills, insightful decision-making, passing precision, and scoring range across all areas make him appear capable of running an NBA offense.
Despite being only 18 years old, he displays poise in handling defensive pressure, as he navigates through intense defense, secures a favorable position in the post, draws attention from a defender, and delivers a pass to a teammate with the nonchalance of a seasoned veteran.
Once again, he remains calm under pressure. When faced with a second defender, he exhibits the composure to recognize the emerging opportunity and create an opening for a teammate to score.
Here he displays a skillful pass, then drives to attack the defense, drawing their attention before passing it off to another player for the finish.
These plays demonstrate an advanced understanding of the game, particularly impressive for a player making his NBA debut. Throughout the night, Flagg consistently made correct decisions against the opposing defense, and he facilitated an open shot from a corner, showing he was in complete control, observing everything, and remaining composed.
Adding to his playmaking skills, Flagg demonstrated the ability to convert pull-up shots, an essential skill for a point guard. Here, he navigates the pick-and-roll, induces a switch to gain a favorable matchup, and elevates for a shot over the smaller defender.
Here, he executes a similar move on the opposite side, capitalizing on the defender’s cautious approach to prevent a roll to the basket.
These plays highlight the offensive possibilities that Dallas can explore with Flagg’s playmaking skills. This skill set will be useful immediately, particularly if Flagg maintains accuracy from long range. This would further enhance both his personal effectiveness and the overall offensive capabilities of the team.
It is important to remember that this performance occurred within a limited timeframe of a single exhibition game, and it’s crucial to maintain perspective. However, Flagg’s showing was undeniably impressive. Even if the broader basketball community has not fully recognized Flagg’s potential as a future leading player, it is expected that perspective will change in the near future.
