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Oct 22, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) reacts against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Ex-NBA Star's Cooper Flagg Analysis Should Have NBA Taking Notes

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Justin Grasso | Last updated Oct 23, 2025 8:11 PM ET

The debut of Cooper Flagg on the Dallas Mavericks probably didn’t go the way that everybody expected.

Heading into his first game in the NBA, Flagg was one of the most-hyped rookies of this era. After his 31-minute showing against the San Antonio Spurs, Flagg left a lot to be desired on the court. You could point to multiple factors to blame for Flagg’s struggles, but the former NBA All-Star, DeMarcus Cousins, believes the Mavs are at fault for the way they used him.

“We are in that era of [position-less basketball], but I also think we're not putting some of these players in the position to be successful and succeed. We've seen plenty of examples of how this position-less basketball doesn't work.”

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Mavericks parted ways with Luka Doncic last season in exchange for a front-court addition. Kyrie Irving is recovering from a major injury, which takes another key ball-handler out of the mix. The Mavs put their trust in the former Duke star to quarterback the offense, but they ran into the same problem as the Phoenix Suns last year.

“They tried to go out through last season with championship hope, and they didn't have a point guard on the roster,” Cousins said of the Suns. “That was rough, and it was horrible. It ended badly.”

Cousins doesn’t believe that NBA teams should be looking to pivot in a different direction if the position-less hopes fail with different teams, but he’s strongly against a player learning the ways of the NBA while playing at an unnatural position.

“They’re not putting the young fella in a position to be successful,” Cousins stated. “He’s not a point guard, and that’s not something you can just wake up and go do it. Point guard comes with a real responsibility. It’s being a floor general. You’re the second coach. You’re the coach on the floor. To put that type of pressure on an 18-year-old rookie and think he’s going to come in and lead a team of veterans and also have championship aspirations—that’s just not realistic.”

Flagg’s 31-minute showing included a 4-13 shooting outing. He wrapped up the game with 10 points. He secured a double-double by generating 10 rebounds. He turned the ball over three times.

Strangely, Flagg’s struggles were overshadowed by the dominance of Victor Wembanyama’s game. As the superstar center led the Spurs to a 125-92 victory over the Mavericks, the 40-point, 15-rebound stat line was all of the talk across the NBA, leaving the quiet debut for Flagg as a secondary storyline.

However, the hype will fade, and the focus will be placed back on Flagg for their next matchup. The Mavs will be on the court on Friday night to host the Washington Wizards. Flagg’s role for his second NBA outing is unclear, but Cousins’ suggestion isn’t an unpopular one. Mavs fans want Flagg to have freedom to play his game, but they want him playing to his strengths.