Mar 3, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts as he heads to the bench during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won 93-60. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images / Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

Cooper Flagg tried not to say anything major during his media availability at the NBA Draft Combine. But he said enough. The Duke freshman phenom didn't outright reveal the Dallas Mavericks' intentions with the No.

During the prime of his career, Mavericks great Dirk Nowitzki often was unfairly compared to Larry Bird. Potentially, eventually, Flagg might be the much better Bird comp because of his two-way abilities; he’s more athletic than Bird and Nowitzki.

There isn’t much to complain about with Duke freshman phenom Cooper Flagg’s game. The 18-year-old forward averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists

Dallas Mavericks fans have spent the last few months in something akin to open rebellion against the team’s front office after franchise icon Luka Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The college basketball legend spoke about Flagg’s skill set a day after the Dallas Mavericks won the NBA draft lottery, setting themselves up to select Flagg with the top pick in June. Krzyzewski recalled seeing Flagg play at Montverde Academy as a high schooler.

NBA fans on X chimed in with their reactions to the Flagg-Pippen comparison as it grabbed attention on social media. One user commented that Flagg's ability to take over a game is more reminiscent of LeBron James than Scottie Pippen, while another questioned whether Flagg is the same type of "quick-twitch" athlete Pippen was in his prime.