So, the 2025 NBA Draft kicked off with zero surprises—but all the excitement—as the Dallas Mavericks pulled the trigger on selecting Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick. If you’ve followed basketball even a little over the last year, this was as obvious as it gets. Flagg’s name has been trending across scouting reports, draft boards, and social media ever since he dominated at Duke and showed he could hang with NBA-level intensity even before officially going pro.
✅ The No-Brainer Pick Everyone Saw Coming
Let’s be honest—nobody else was really in the running for that top spot. Cooper Flagg has been one of the most talked-about prospects in years. Some scouts were already calling him a "franchise-saver" before he even put on that crisp Duke jersey. His freakish athleticism, instinctual defense, and clutch gene made it nearly impossible for Dallas to even think twice.
And while we’ve seen plenty of hyped prospects flame out over time, Flagg feels different. Not just because he’s skilled, but because he gets the game. He plays like a guy who's been in the league already—and that’s rare.
🧠 Bob Myers Drops a Bold Take
Now, here’s where things get really interesting. Former Warriors GM and current NBA analyst Bob Myers made a statement that turned a few heads on draft night. In a conversation with Malika Andrews on ESPN, Myers dropped a comparison bombshell:
"The unique thing about Cooper Flagg, Malika, is that he impacts winning. More so than a lot of players,” Myers said. “I'm gonna say something that might be controversial: Victor Wembanyama got a lot of attention being the No. 1 pick. I could see Cooper Flagg impacting winning more than Victor did in his rookie year.”
Wait—what?
Yep, Myers straight-up said Flagg might have more impact on winning than Wemby did in his first season. That’s a hot take… or is it?
🔍 Breaking It Down: Flagg vs. Wemby
Victor Wembanyama had a pretty historic rookie season by most standards. The guy averaged 21.4 points and 10.6 boards per game. He had highlight reels that broke the internet. He was a walking cheat code on defense. And yet, the Spurs finished with just 22 wins.
Now, insert Cooper Flagg into a different situation entirely.
Here’s the key: context matters.
Flagg isn’t walking into a rebuilding dumpster fire like Victor did in San Antonio. He’s joining a Mavericks team that already has Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and a solid supporting cast. That’s a massive difference. He doesn’t have to be “the guy” every night. He just has to do what he already does: defend like a menace, make high-IQ plays, and contribute on both ends without taking over the whole show.
🔥 What Makes Flagg So NBA-Ready?
Let’s list it out—because Flagg’s strengths deserve a spotlight:
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Elite Defensive Instincts – Flagg guards multiple positions with confidence. He’s not afraid to pick up quicker guards or bang down low with bigger forwards.
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Shot-Blocking and Steals Machine – The dude has a sixth sense for timing. Whether it’s swatting shots at the rim or jumping passing lanes, he’s already got All-Defense potential.
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Team Player Mentality – Flagg doesn’t force bad shots. He moves the ball, makes the right reads, and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to impact the game.
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Poise Beyond His Years – Some guys walk into the NBA wide-eyed. Not Flagg. Scouts say his court awareness and basketball IQ are off the charts.
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Offensive Versatility – He can score inside and out, and he's developing a reliable three-point shot. You can plug him into any lineup and he’ll make it better.
🎯 Perfect Fit in Dallas
The Mavericks’ front office couldn’t have asked for a better scenario. They didn’t just draft talent—they drafted fit. Flagg meshes beautifully with Dallas’ current roster.
Let Kyrie handle the creative offense. Let Anthony Davis be the post anchor and veteran leader. Flagg can roam free as a Swiss Army knife, doing a little of everything. He doesn’t need 25 points a night to make his presence felt.
Honestly, that kind of setup could be what makes him more impactful than Wemby—at least right out of the gate.
🗣️ The Internet Reacts
Social media went wild after Myers’ comment. Fans were split:
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Some said it’s disrespectful to Wemby to compare them already.
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Others argued that Flagg is in a position to actually win more games from Day One, which matters just as much.
One tweet said it best:
“Wemby’s stats were insane, but Flagg might actually win more. And that’s the point of basketball.”
Hard to argue with that logic.
📊 Will the Numbers Back It Up?
Now the big question remains: Can Flagg top Wemby’s rookie stats?
Well, probably not in scoring or rebounds—unless something wild happens. But that’s not necessarily the benchmark. If Flagg averages something like 14 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1.5 blocks, while helping Dallas win 50+ games, that might be even more impressive than Wemby’s numbers on a 22-win squad.
Winning matters. Production on a playoff team matters more than empty stats on a losing one.
👀 What To Watch for in Year One
Keep an eye on these Flagg-related storylines:
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Rookie of the Year Race – It’s gonna be spicy. Expect Flagg and whoever else shines in this class to be neck-and-neck.
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Defensive Recognition – He could sneak into All-Rookie Defense honors or even get second-team All-Defense if he’s really elite.
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Chemistry with Kyrie and AD – This will be a key narrative. If they click, Dallas could be scary good.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Cooper Flagg is walking into the NBA not just as a prospect, but as a potential difference-maker. Not because he’s going to drop 30 points a night, but because he’s going to help Dallas win. That’s what sets him apart—and that’s why Bob Myers might be onto something with his take.
He may not wow with the same size and flash that Wemby did, but Flagg's impact on a good team could feel even bigger. Year One is shaping up to be something special—and honestly, we can’t wait to see how it plays out.
Let the Flagg era begin. 🏀
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