Highlights From Mavs Media Day

With him, Flagg, Anthony Davis, Naji Marshall, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, Dante Exum, Max Christie and the aging but effective Klay Thompson deep in the heart of Texas, he should feel that way.

Kyrie Irving’s return

As previously mentioned, Irving isn’t available right now. The 33-year-old is recovering from an ACL tear that he sustained in March and there isn’t a firm timetable for his return. However, there’s hope that he’ll be back on the court in January.

The good news is that Irving is “right on schedule” with his injury rehab (h/t ESPN reporter Tim MacMahon). The bad news is that he may not be “ahead of schedule ,” as Mavs president Nico Harrison stated in July, per Grant Afseth of the DallasHoopsJournal. More than two months have passed since Harrison’s comments and his trajectory could have flattened in that time frame but Mavs head coach Jason Kidd has taken exception to the phrasing and pressure it places on Irving.

Klay Thompson Confident

On the surface, Irving’s return is essential for Dallas’s ability to keep up with their opponents’ high-powered offenses. But as previously alluded to, he’s also key to their ability to compete for championships. To that point, one of the most notable quotes came from Thompson, who confidently stated his belief that the Mavericks could “win the whole thing.” Well, once they “get Kyrie back.”

The Mavs have invested heavily in their point guard depth, with 2019 All-Star D’Angelo Russell projected to start in Irving’s absence. Davis has a career scoring average of 24.1 points per game. Furthermore, Flagg is a highly-touted rookie that may prove himself capable of leading an NBA team offensively early on. But none of them can two-step like Irving, an all-time great iso scorer.

Kyrie Irving Discusses Retirement

With his age and injury history, Irving couldn’t be blamed for thinking about what life will look like when his NBA days are over. After all, he’s an NBA champion who delivered one of the most memorable moments in NBA Finals history with “The Shot.” He’s a perennial All-Star who’s well-respected by fans, media and peers alike. When a player is that accomplished and beloved, they’ll basically go out on top of the world. Yet, the 14-year veteran insists that day is “a few years away” (h/t Fullcourtpass on X).

“I’m trying to beat some of my predecessors and how long they played, whether it be 18, 19, 20 years,” Irving says. Notably, his idol Kobe Bryant played in the NBA for 20 years.

Keeping Cooper Flagg Cool

Flagg may be the focal point for the fans and media. However, that isn’t necessarily going to be the case for the coaching staff. Of course, the versatile forward will have a multi-faceted impact. As a matter of fact, he’ll likely get to use all of the tools in his kit. Still, as Davis would note on Media Day, he has a rare opportunity that most No. 1 picks don’t get as a rookie – the opportunity to play with other ones.

The goal for Davis and Co. is to take the pressure off of Flagg, who is stepping into an enormous shadow.

Anthony Davis’s Big Change

Davis’s comments about Flagg were definitely important. Yet, the injury-prone big man’s most noteworthy quote may have been about his health. After undergoing offseason surgery to repair a detached retina, he’ll now wear protective eyewear for the rest of his career. This isn’t an option. It’s doctor-mandated.

“You guys are going to see me in the Horace Grants this year,” he says.