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Cooper Flagg’s Mom Kelly Flagg Wants Comparisons With NBA Legends to Be Stopped

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Shubham Singh | Last updated Feb 7, 2026 2:39 PM ET

Cooper Flagg has shown why he was selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. His play keeps on improving, and he is well on his path to becoming an All-Star soon.

The Dallas Mavericks rookie is averaging an impressive 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. He has scored 30+ points in four straight games, and his remarkable play has received a lot of praise.

Flagg has often been compared to other NBA legends, and the comparisons have only gained further steam lately.

In January, former NBA player and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins called him the “white version of LeBron James.” While this sort of comparison can excite many NBA fans, Cooper Flagg’s mother thinks differently.

Kelly Flagg Wants the Comparisons to Stop

Kelly Flagg took to her X account and expressed discomfort with people comparing her son to NBA players.

She acknowledged that her son’s particular skills can be akin to past legends, but also reminded people that the Mavericks forward is carving his own legacy.

“Can we stop with the comparisons and just let Cooper be Cooper? He’s striving to be the best version of himself every day. Of course there are facets of his game that may remind you of players who have come before. He’s a student of the game and he’s learning quickly,” wrote Kelly Flagg.

Cooper Flagg embraces his mom Kelly Flagg after being selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Comparing rookies to past legends has been a common practice. In fact, many NBA scouts use that yardstick to measure the potential of a 5-star recruit in high school.

Meanwhile, these comparisons further amplify on social media. As Flagg’s mother encounters those comparisons on her feed and from members of the media, she seems to have had enough of them.

A comparison to James can indeed create immense pressure on someone, given his unparalleled legacy, but it's also a huge badge of honor.

Flagg’s NBA journey has started on a terrific note, and he has shown flashes of greatness. He could become an NBA great that 5-star recruits are compared to in the future.

Flagg and his Mavericks will be in action against the San Antonio Spurs at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on Prime Video.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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