Cooper Flagg -- Season 1 thread -- Summer League discussion

arkuo · Post #401 » by **arkuo** » Fri Jul 11, 2025 1:41 pm

It's the age of social media, people are used to instant results. The development of Flagg should be fun to watch, but not something that comes overnight. Flagg is just 18. Even in 10 seasons, he will just be 28 and still in his prime. Young guys like Luka would probably be out of the NBA by then. I don't see Luka playing until 37. Lebron would be 50 and still trying to influence what he can with the league. And Dallas will probably still have Flagg in his prime. Everybody else on the roster with Flagg now, might not be there with him in 10 seasons. These guys are just keeping the seat warm for Flagg. The team will look totally different by the time he enters his prime. Kyrie, AD and the others are there to sell tickets and merch while this development happens IMO. But of course this gets sold on the idea of "win now" to the fans.

Some smart roster building and Flagg can be surrounded with talent similar to how Steph and Klay were formed. Somehow Kyrie and AD are there to just pace it. Have them carry the load and take off the pressure from the number 1 pick. I remember before that there are times when Cuban would get fined on purpose to take away the media's attention from Dirk's bad games and bad performances. So he's not on the spotlight everytime. I'd like to believe this helped keep some of the unwanted noise away. If Dallas loses some playoff series this year and the next, it would at least be "Kyrie chokes again" or "AD is injured again" instead of "Cooper Flagg is a bust". So that helps somehow.

Darren · Post #402 » by **Darren** » Fri Jul 11, 2025 1:46 pm

While Coop plays hard 9n defense, his pick-n-roll defense, rebounding and shot blocking instant are not mistakes free. As a taller player, Coop should stay close inside the paint instead of getting completely picked away. Study your opponent is important than practicing. Bonny can't shoot, so you should prioritize not giving up a layup. Positioning for rebounding and shot blocking is also important. It results in giving up offensive boards and committing unnecessary fouls. Still, being a good defender is the biggest reason for Coop to gain minutes right away.. PJ is still better defender overall if you ask me.

Heezzi · Post #403 » by **Heezzi** » Fri Jul 11, 2025 9:21 pm

daoneandonly wrote:Kyrie was there while recuperating to support the young guys and Coop, where the heck was AD?

Eye surgery.

daoneandonly · Post #404 » by **daoneandonly** » Fri Jul 11, 2025 9:33 pm

Heezzi wrote:
daoneandonly wrote:Kyrie was there while recuperating to support the young guys and Coop, where the heck was AD?

Eye surgery.

Tea forgot about that, but par for the course with him.

And Klay? Oh yea he's partying it up with some rapper or singer or whatever she is

arkuo · Post #405 » by **arkuo** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 7:10 am

daoneandonly wrote:
Heezzi wrote:
daoneandonly wrote:Kyrie was there while recuperating to support the young guys and Coop, where the heck was AD?

Eye surgery.

Tea forgot about that, but par for the course with him.

And Klay? Oh yea he's partying it up with some rapper or singer or whatever she is

Klay was working out in Miami with Dlo then I think he flew to his hometown in the Bahamas. Flew or rode his boat.

Darren · Post #406 » by **Darren** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 10:16 pm

Coop responds a big way taking what the defense is given. Unlike LAL, SAS opts to fill court press and cutting away the passing lanes. The Mavs is turnover-prone and fail to set up the defense. Coop seizes the opportunity to make the right play.

The Mavs is ice cold from long range due to the pressing defense and broken plays. The Mavs also can't stick with Harper defensively. When Nemhard is guarded closely, you see what actually happens.

Archx · Post #407 » by **Archx** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 11:33 pm

Flagg will have a lot of time to develop but i'm not sure it's the right thing to force him to play point forward. His handles will need A LOOOT of work. NBA athletic bigs will give him huge problems. I mean, even Bronny was guarding him well. He's good enough against summer league, less athletic big guys, because he's explosive, but against NBA wings it won't be so easy.

I actually believe his best role would be a mix of Dirk and his own style because he could develop that mid range jumper with his long arms. But in order to achieve that, some big guys would need to be traded for him to be able have to have more time on the ball. His real development will probably start only after AD is gone.

Darren · Post #408 » by **Darren** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 11:38 pm

Archx wrote:Flagg will have a lot of time to develop but i'm not sure it's the right thing to force him to play point forward. His handles will need A LOOOT of work. NBA athletic bigs will give him huge problems. I mean, even Bronny was guarding him well. He's good enough against summer league, less athletic big guys, because he's explosive, but against NBA wings it won't be so easy.

I actually believe his best role would be a mix or Dirk and his own style because he could develop that mid range jumper with his long arms. But in order to achieve that, some big guys would need to be traded for him to be able have to have more time on the ball. His real development will probably start only after AD is gone.

When Flagg is guarding by quicker player, 1-3, it could be whole different story. That's why I think it's difficult to put the team together. Someone would be squeezed out from natural positions.

daoneandonly · Post #409 » by **daoneandonly** » Sat Jul 12, 2025 11:49 pm

Archx wrote:Flagg will have a lot of time to develop but i'm not sure it's the right thing to force him to play point forward. His handles will need A LOOOT of work. NBA athletic bigs will give him huge problems. I mean, even Bronny was guarding him well. He's good enough against summer league, less athletic big guys, because he's explosive, but against NBA wings it won't be so easy.

I actually believe his best role would be a mix or Dirk and his own style because he could develop that mid range jumper with his long arms. But in order to achieve that, some big guys would need to be traded for him to be able have to have more time on the ball. His real development will probably start only after AD is gone.

Which is reason 1798 why AD should be traded now

Darren · Post #410 » by **Darren** » Sun Jul 13, 2025 1:27 am

Instead of being a PG, Flagg is playing 4/5 most of the time in G2. The footstep advantages are on full display. The confidence to shoot comeback guarding by random big. With AD starting, things may not look very good. But in a long run, Flagg being able to develop guard skills are beneficial to the team and to Coop. I think you start Flagg at 2 to develop the defensive skills, shooting skills and ball handling skills. Let Coop be the focal point when AD sits at this point.

Mr B · Post #411 » by **Mr B** » Sun Jul 13, 2025 1:31 am

Archx wrote:Flagg will have a lot of time to develop but i'm not sure it's the right thing to force him to play point forward. His handles will need A LOOOT of work. NBA athletic bigs will give him huge problems. I mean, even Bronny was guarding him well. He's good enough against summer league, less athletic big guys, because he's explosive, but against NBA wings it won't be so easy.

I actually believe his best role would be a mix or Dirk and his own style because he could develop that mid range jumper with his long arms. But in order to achieve that, some big guys would need to be traded for him to be able have to have more time on the ball. His real development will probably start only after AD is gone.

See to me this is the perfect time to be playing him at the point and Cooper to initiate the offense. Do it now in Summer League to give him a feel for it and to see if he can even handle it.

During the regular season we likely won’t see him ever run the point. Between DLo, Williams, Exum, and Nembhard the PG position is handled until Kyrie comes back. Cooper Flagg will likely focus on defense and do a lot of free lancing in offense. Getting easy put backs and even do some rim running. Focusing on getting strong and being a lock down defender should be his priority in his rookie season. And he also always should be working on his shot. He also needs to develop a “go to move”. With his frame and shooting ability I would have him watching video of Dirk in the post setting up and shooting that one legged fade away.

Darren · Post #412 » by **Darren** » Sun Jul 13, 2025 1:32 am

daoneandonly wrote:
Archx wrote:Flagg will have a lot of time to develop but i'm not sure it's the right thing to force him to play point forward. His handles will need A LOOOT of work. NBA athletic bigs will give him huge problems. I mean, even Bronny was guarding him well. He's good enough against summer league, less athletic big guys, because he's explosive, but against NBA wings it won't be so easy.

I actually believe his best role would be a mix or Dirk and his own style because he could develop that mid range jumper with his long arms. But in order to achieve that, some big guys would need to be traded for him to be able have to have more time on the ball. His real development will probably start only after AD is gone.

Which is reason 1798 why AD should be traded now

I think so. But what team would trade for AD. Besides AD for Lebron, I don't see many opportunities. Maybe AD for Zion. I am not sure I like Zion enough to pull the trigger, though. With Herb Jones, maybe I'm in.

Maybe AD, Marshall, Christie and Hardy to NOP; Zion to CHA; Ball, Herb Jones to Dallas.

C - DLive / Gafford / Powell
PF - Flagg / OMax / Kai
SF - Klay / PJ / Martin
SG - Herb / BWill / Exum
PG - Ball / Kyrie / DoLo

When Kyrie comeback, put Ball at 3. Switch to play as a running and gunning team in Nash's Phoenix day. But maybe it's not enough for both NOP and CHA. I am okay sending a 1st for Herb and getting back Josh Green for Martin and Powell.

Darren · Post #413 » by **Darren** » Sun Jul 13, 2025 2:01 am

Next thing I want to know is what a Coop-AD pick-n-roll looks like. Can Coop hit 70% from 3 when AD sets defenders apart from Coop. This could create gravity on court like Steph Curry does. If this particular strategy works out, the big lineup can still work. Coop can guard the 2. But if random 2 cannot guard Coop, you can create something out of loving. Coop is not shooting very well being guarded by small defenders. But small defenders could be completely picked away if the screen is right.

Darren · Post #414 » by **Darren** » Sun Jul 13, 2025 2:03 am

When Coop accelerates or leaves opened, small guard stand no chance defending well. Help defense will come. And someone could be left opened.

Darren · Post #415 » by **Darren** » Sun Jul 13, 2025 2:04 am

This is similar scenario to Aaron Gordon or Toppin last playoff run.

Darren · Post #416 » by **Darren** » Sun Jul 13, 2025 2:10 am

From game 2, it's clear that Coop excel it situation with foot speed advantage. Instead of being a sole 1, being a power forward is more advantageous. Being able to set good screen for Coop could open unlock Coop potential sooner than later.

Darren · Post #417 » by **Darren** » Sun Jul 13, 2025 2:20 am

If PJ can hit corner 3s at 60% guarded by small defenders in a close out situation, the big lineup still works assuming all of the bigs are able to set good screen.

Darren · Post #418 » by **Darren** » Sun Jul 13, 2025 2:21 am

In most likely scenario, DLive and PJ would be left opened a lot.

Darren · Post #419 » by **Darren** » Sun Jul 13, 2025 2:23 am

If the duo could shoot, pass and playmaker, life could be even harder for defenders.

Darren · Post #420 » by **Darren** » Sun Jul 13, 2025 2:26 am

Anyway, Dlive needs to get as versatile as Chet by next contract to get a good payday. It could be good opportunities for team and for individual. If it could work, you can put Klay instead of a true PG. Both AD and Coop could be the primary playmakers in such scenario. If DLive, PJ and Klay could somewhat do it all, this is difficult to guard to any team.