Imagine stepping into your first-ever NBA practice and all eyes are already on you. At 18, you’re supposed to look composed and confident in a team full of veterans as old as 35. For Cooper Flagg, that was the scene in Vancouver, where the Mavericks held their training camp from September 30 to October 4 at Simon Fraser University. The preseason is not far behind. One marquee game already slated: Oct 15 vs. the Lakers in Las Vegas, a highly anticipated match that might double as Flagg’s first true test.

Flagg’s arrival in Dallas was anything but ordinary. The Mavs landed him with the No. 1 pick after defying 1.8% lottery odds. Flagg called his landing spot a “blessing”. Now three days into the training camp, Flagg is reflecting on areas of improvement.

Mavericks’ first training camp offered a glimpse of both Flagg’s potential and his growing pains. When asked by Marc Stein what he liked most about his play, he said, “I was able to just impact the game… fitting in with different lineups, playing alongside AD, Klay, a bunch of different guys, and just being able to impact the ball defensively and offensively.” That versatility is exactly why Dallas picked him at Duke, where he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. Yet, the rookie did not shy away from admitting his own shortcomings.

When Stein followed up on what to improve, Flagg confessed, “I think just getting sped up offensively… sometimes I get rushed. I had to trust the spacing, trust the coaches, and trust the work I put in.” It’s a natural rookie adjustment. He got to learn to slow down within an NBA offense.

Head coach Jason Kidd had already weighed in after the first training day. In a separate interview, he expressed his hopes for the team. The vibes are set. According to him, “The energy was high, the talk was high. It was a positive day… We’ve talked about having fun. We talked about championship habits… When players are talking to each other, they’re figuring it out.”

And this energy was backed by Klay Thompson, the oldest player in the group, is already taking up the leadership role. He praised the rookie’s engagement, saying, “Coop’s got all the tools. But when you’re willing to show up, listen, and go full speed in everything you do, that’s when greatness happens….I’m most impressed he didn’t sit out one drill. I don’t care how many shots he misses or mistakes he makes. The fact that he’s in there and competing every single drill, that’s what impresses me.” 

For Cooper Flagg, the next stage brings guidance and mentorship. “For sure—AD, Kyrie, Klay,” he said when asked about leaning on veterans. “I was a big fan watching Klay when he was on the Warriors’ big run. So it’s cool to be on the same team as them.”

Flagg is also embracing the unique environment of Vancouver, noting, “I’ve never been to Canada at all… it’s really beautiful. Cool to be up here and in a new place.”

The Mavericks’ big test starts now

After wrapping up three days of rigorous but fun training in Canada, the Dallas Mavericks will focus on their preseason schedule. The team will return to Dallas, Texas to host their first preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

It is scheduled for Monday, October 6, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. Now the team transitions to preseason play and the focus shifts to refining strategies, building team chemistry as a whole.

These games serve as a crucial platform for players to showcase their skills, as the next preseason game on October 11th is going to be against the Lakers, where Mavs will take on a familiar face, Luka Doncic. For now, the Mavs are building around a mix of roster, while Kyrie Irving recovers.

Starting with Klay Thompson who brought renewed energy to the Mavericks’ first day of training camp. “I had a long, refreshing offseason, so I channeled that energy into the first practice,” Thompson said.

“It felt great to see our team nearly complete and competing. It was so much fun.” He highlighted the need to establish standards early,“Learn about the team. Get a feel, compete, and set the foundation for what’s to come… we’re going to push through adversity, play when we’re tired, and be relentless in chasing our goals.” Another key team member, joined in.

Anthony Davis made his presence felt on the court. Already a 10-time All-Star with an NBA title and a decade of dominant play, Davis is now the team’s defensive anchor.

Davis noted, “Ball movement. Getting to our spots and creating lanes for our guys… With Jay Triano coming over and kind of how they used Sabonis as the hub, kind of the same thing. And guys just playing off of that.”

Jay Triano was picked by Dallas over the summer from Sacramento Kings. AD welcomed this new responsibility, while also helping the Mavericks achieve balance.

The tone is set. We have Davis anchoring the paint and Thompson on the perimeter. This is a new foundation for the Mavericks. Veteran leadership providing a threshold of development for a young talent like Flagg.