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Mark Cuban issues careful Kobe Bryant plea to Mavericks fans over Cooper Flagg, ‘I don’t want to curse him’

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Pocholo Magsino | Last updated Jul 12, 2025 12:30 PM ET

After a chaotic few months within the Dallas Mavericks organization, the team now has some peace with Cooper Flagg. Selecting him with the number one overall pick was easy, but former owner Mark Cuban wants everyone to temper their expectations.

Cooper Flagg is one of the brightest prospects in recent years. The Dallas Mavericks lucked out by winning the lottery and getting the #1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Now, Flagg is entering the league with a strong Mavericks team, which means he will perform under pressure.

Former Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban wants everyone to settle down and be more patient. After Flagg’s mediocre NBA Summer League debut, the #1 overall pick remained calm. Cuban alluded to Kobe Bryant’s slow progress during the early days of his career to defend Flagg.

The expectations are high for Flagg, as some people have even compared him to Magic Johnson and Tim Duncan. It will be challenging to live up to that, but he has supporters inside and outside the Mavericks organization.

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Cuban feels Flagg will need time to get it right

It can be challenging to live up to lofty expectations, especially for a prospect like Flagg. After the hype surrounding Victor Wembanyama, the NBA community had another name to look forward to. With Flagg, they have a player with tremendous potential as a defender and a superb offensive skill set.

Playing for a team like the Mavericks can be challenging due to the expectations. They have two legitimate stars, Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. The fans would love to see the Mavericks compete in the Playoffs again after their 2024 NBA Finals run.

"His poise as an 18-year-old is incredible."@malika_andrews gets Jason Kidd's first impressions of Cooper Flagg in his summer league debut pic.twitter.com/E7KW6LwCLb
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 11, 2025

At the same time, they also want vindication for the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic away. He was a beloved figure in Dallas, and Flagg is his spiritual replacement. Not only does Flagg need to deliver as a top prospect, but he also has to live up to Doncic’s legacy.

“You kind of have to think of the Kobe (Bryant) arc. It took him some time to get it right. I don’t want to curse him by comparing him to Kobe because they’re not the same. But Kobe didn’t come in right away as a polished player. It took him two years to get it,” Cuban said to the media.

Flagg could become a top-tier NBA player

With all the potential in the world, Flagg could become one of the NBA’s best players. He has received considerable hype, given that he was the consensus #1 pick. Flagg has all the tools to become an all-time great for his defense and growing offensive game.

It will be challenging to manage three top players in Davis, Irving, and now Flagg. Coach Jason Kidd has a budding super team and must guide them to victories.

Coop is hoopin' @Cooper_Flagg // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/xNEYd3ybAd
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) July 8, 2025

With all the Mavs’ talent, it will be difficult for them to lose games. The Doncic trade stung, but it netted them Davis and the shot at getting Flagg. Thankfully for them, Flagg has fallen into their laps, and they will be ready to prove everyone wrong again.

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

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