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Cooper Flagg is putting up numbers even LeBron James couldn’t, Nico Harrison saga hasn’t slowed him down

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Nov 17, 2025 10:16 AM ET

Cooper Flagg has kept his head down and put in the work through all the turmoil and chaos, and the numbers show he has been excellent.

Cooper Flagg has had to endure a set of expectations not faced by a rookie since LeBron James entered the NBA in 2003.

It’s fair to say that Flagg hasn’t been the franchise-defining star many expected him to be. However, former Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison put the team in a terrible situation that Flagg has tried to fight.

Did Nico Harrison deserve to be fired?

Jason Kidd did Cooper Flagg no favors by starting him at the point guard spot, a position the talented Duke standout had never played.

But over the last few games, having returned to his normal position, Flagg has played better. And in his most recent outing, Flagg made history as a rookie even LeBron James couldn’t.

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Cooper Flagg sets up an amazing stat line, only rookie LeBron James came close

The Dallas Mavericks got a massive win over the Portland Trail Blazers, with Cooper Flagg putting up 21 points, 8 rebounds 5 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal.

No player at 18 years of age has ever exceeded, or even matched these numbers in an NBA game. Given how many excellent 18-year-old rookies have played in the NBA, this is wildly impressive.

The only player to come close is LeBron James, who put up 21+ points, 8+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and 1+ steals in three games, but never put up more than one block in any of those games.

These numbers from Flagg show that he has the talent to be a superstar. Mark Cuban’s comparison of Flagg and LeBron now has even more credence.

Cooper Flagg put up a 21-point, 8-rebound, 5-assist, 2-block, 1-steal line in Mavs’ OT win.

No 18-year-old has matched or exceeded all those numbers in an NBA game. Take away blocks and only LeBron James (3 times) has done it, per @Stathead.
— Tim MacMahon (@BannedMacMahon) November 17, 2025

Cooper Flagg must keep his head up despite losing several games

While Cooper Flagg has LeBron-level numbers, he has lost a lot of games, which can be very demoralizing for a young player.

There are some concerns that Flagg could lose his confidence, like Ben Simmons did after a strong start to his NBA career.

For now, the Dallas Mavericks must focus on rebuilding their team, even if that means trading Anthony Davis to a new team and rebuilding around Cooper Flagg.

After Nico Harrison was fired, where could Anthony Davis be traded to?

Flagg can be the player to save the Mavericks from the doldrums of the post-Luka Doncic era, but they need to do everything in their power to give him the tools and circumstances needed.

If that means trading away some star-level players and allowing Flagg to develop without the stress of winning and losing, then so be it.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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