Stephen Jackson Weighs In On Cooper Flagg’s NBA Status

Former NBA star Stephen Jackson recently said, “Cooper is nowhere close to that” in reference to Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg not being better than Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird. Read on for the latest on Jackson’s recent statement about Flagg.

Stephen Jackson Says “Cooper Is Nowhere Close To That”

Jackson, who is best known for his dynamic playing style, outspoken personality, and civil rights activism, recently appeared on the “All the Smoke” podcast — and appeared to be irked when he heard the name of the Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird being thrown out there.

“Cooper is nowhere close to that,” said Jackson. “Not right now. He’s the (NBA) Rookie of the Year and all that. He’s the best player that the (Dallas) Mavericks have. I give him all that. His ceiling is the sky is the limit. But Larry Bird, Nah.”

Jackson’s Statement is True, But There’s a Catch

Jackson’s statement is arguably true, especially for longtime and old-school NBA fans alike, but there’s a catch. Markieff and Marcus Morris didn’t directly say that Flagg is better than Bird right now.

In all fairness, Marcus Morris said that Flagg “has the biggest chance” of becoming the best White (American) basketball player. Marcus explained that Flagg’s movement, physicality, ball-handling, and confidence are qualities that he has never seen in a white player at 18 years old.

However, Morris’ statements likely irked Jackson and some others in the NBA world by mentioning Bird in his explanations.

Bird redshirted his first year at Indiana State, so he didn’t play at 18. However, during Bird’s sophomore year, when he made his NCAA debut, he averaged 32.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game.

“That’s my nephews. That’s my li’l bros and I f— with them. But they got to go back and watch Larry Bird s—. Until Cooper (Flagg) walk on the court and tells nine other n—– that I’m going to shoot with my left hand and get 40, I don’t want to hear s—,” Jackson said.

Larry Bird vs. Cooper Flagg

Jackson was referring to the Boston Celtics’ game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Valentine’s Day in 1986. Before that game, Bird told his teammates that he was going to shoot left-handed at least for three quarters because he was saving his right hand for their next game against the Los Angeles Lakers

Bird played 49 minutes in that game and scored 47 points on 21-of-34 shooting, including 3-of-3 from three-point range. He also had 13 rebounds and 11 assists to finish with a triple-double. Interestingly, Bird switched back to his right hand when he scored the game-winning bank shot with 2.2 seconds left in overtime.

Meanwhile, Cooper Flagg is putting together a stellar rookie campaign, averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. For comparison, Bird posted 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.7 steals as an NBA rookie. It’s important to note that they played in different eras.

Still, it’s almost blasphemous to mention Flagg alongside Bird. Perhaps we can revisit this conversation if Flagg racks up three MVPs and three championships someday.