LAS VEGAS — Cooper Flagg vs. Bronny James.
A packed-out Thomas & Mack Middle obtained what it wished within the second quarter of Thursday’s summer time league recreation between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers.
Of their first faceoff, Flagg tried backing James down on the left facet of the ground. James fouled Flagg. Then the Mavericks inbounded the ball to Flagg, who rose for a jumper over the second-year guard. The Mavericks went on to notch an 87-85 win over the Lakers.
Flagg scored 10 factors in his unofficial debut as a Maverick. Whereas he wasn’t particularly environment friendly, solely connecting on 5 of 21 pictures, he nonetheless supplied a number of reminders of why he was the highest choose in final month’s NBA draft.
“That may be one of many worst video games of my life,” Flagg mentioned. “However we obtained the win. In order that’s what actually issues to me. My teammates, they held it down. They did what they needed to do.”
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd mentioned in June that he deliberate to deploy Flagg at level guard steadily all through the season, and Dallas wasted no time placing Flagg in a ball-handling function Thursday. He introduced the ball up the ground on the Mavericks’ first possession of the sport, and the Lakers despatched a double crew at him.
“ That was one thing we tried. Attempt to disrupt him, attempt to gradual him down, hopefully get a steal,” Lakers assistant Lindsey Harding, who’s teaching the crew in Las Vegas, mentioned. ” … We all know he’s a fantastic participant. We all know that they’re gonna go to him. We all know he’s the way forward for this league so we wished to attempt to make it just a little troublesome for him.”
Towards the top of the primary quarter, Flagg started to find a rhythm. He dunked in transition for his first basket of the sport. He then obtained a midrange jumper to fall.
Flagg by no means scored after halftime, although. He was certainly one of a number of Mavericks gamers who struggled to make pictures from 3-point territory. Flagg shot 0 of 5 from distance. As a crew, Dallas went 9 of 28 from 3.
“I assumed within the first half we type of simply stood and watched Cooper play,” Mavericks Summer time League coach Josh Broghamer mentioned. “I’ve to do a greater job. I assumed the second half, we did a a lot better job of taking part in basketball. That ball was transferring. We have been making the precise selections.”
Miles Kelly, certainly one of Dallas’ two-way signees, accounted for 3 3-point makes. He completed with 17 factors.
Dallas’ different two-way participant beneath contract — level guard Ryan Nembhard — had a robust efficiency as nicely. Nembhard contributed 21 factors and 5 assists. Nembhard made midrange jumpers all through the night and performed managed basketball in entrance of his older brother, Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, who was in attendance.
With just a bit multiple minute remaining, Flagg blocked a Lakers shot and obtained the ball to Nembhard for a go-ahead 3. The Mavericks survived James’ go-ahead jumper try within the ultimate seconds to win. James, who hit his first two pictures, missed his subsequent six, ending the sport with 8 factors in practically 21 minutes.
“He didn’t rating the ball rather well,” Nembhard mentioned of taking part in with Flagg. “It wasn’t his night time tonight. However the gravity he has, it helps guys get beauty. He’s tremendous gifted.”
Flagg’s first recreation drew many key Mavericks officers to Las Vegas. Group governor Patrick Dumont was within the constructing, and his son was carrying Flagg’s No. 32 jersey. Kidd was in attendance, and so was minority proprietor Mark Cuban.
Mavericks gamers Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall and Max Christie sat courtside and obtained to look at Dallas’ Summer time League squad grind out a win.
Although Flagg had a foul taking pictures night time, his expertise was obvious in flashes. He appeared to excel most in transition, and whereas level guard isn’t his pure place, he not often regarded flustered when he obtained Dallas into its offense.
“I used to be trying ahead to (taking part in level guard), splitting some reps with Ryan (Nembhard),” Flagg mentioned. “It’s new for me — bringing it up. Having that full-court stress a bunch. Clearly, I’m not in full recreation form. I’m just a little drained. However simply coping with that. It was enjoyable experimenting and attempting to do various things.”
Anticipate loads extra Level Flagg this season primarily based on the whole lot the Mavericks’ teaching workers has mentioned. Flagg will go well with up subsequent Saturday, when the Mavericks face the San Antonio Spurs and No. 2 total choose Dylan Harper in Las Vegas.
“I used to be just a little nervous however excited,” Flagg mentioned. “Simply glad to be right here. It’s a dream come true. Simply attempting to benefit from the second.”
(Photograph: Ethan Miller / Getty Photographs)
