Sports
The Dallas Mavericks’ selection of Cooper Flagg as the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft marks a pivotal moment for the franchise.
Beyond acquiring one of the most highly regarded American prospects in recent years, Flagg’s arrival signals a potential reconciliation within an organization still recovering from the fallout of the Luka Doncic trade and the strained relationship with franchise icon Dirk Nowitzki.
Luka Doncic struggles to keep calm in a situation fans can’t get over with
Nowitzki has long been the face of the Mavericks. However, following significant organizational changes, including the departure of longtime trainer Casey Smith and the controversial trade of Luka Doncic, the relationship between Nowitzki and the team appeared fractured.
Nowitzki’s noticeable absence from key franchise events, including the draft party, underscored this divide, where other Mavericks legends like Mark Aguirre and Nick Van Exel were present.
Flagg’s arrival has changed the mood around the team
The arrival of Flagg, however, appears to have shifted the dynamic. The Mavericks shared a video of Nowitzki welcoming Flagg to Dallas, expressing enthusiasm for the young player’s potential and the opportunity ahead.
“Hi, Cooper, Dirk here. Welcome to Dallas, and congrats on being the number one pick. We’re excited to have you. Dallas is a special place with the best fans in the NBA, and we can’t wait to see your career here in Dallas,” Nowitzki stated. This public message was viewed as a clear sign of Nowitzki’s renewed engagement with the franchise.
Nowitzki elaborated on his views during a recent podcast, praising Flagg’s talent, maturity, and work ethic. He described Flagg as a “huge talent” with remarkable court vision and athleticism, noting that the player had already demonstrated impressive skills at only 18 years old. He also emphasized Flagg’s drive to improve, calling him a “workhorse” dedicated to learning and growth.
This evolving perspective from Nowitzki suggests that Flagg’s presence may help heal old wounds within the Mavericks organization, reconnecting the franchise’s storied past with its promising future.
Where there had been silence and distance, Nowitzki’s words now express hope and optimism. He conveyed well-wishes for Flagg’s success and anticipated the significant impact the rookie could have in the upcoming season.
Support for Flagg extends beyond the Mavericks organization. Shaquille O’Neal publicly endorsed the young player at a charity event, praising both Flagg’s character and his fit within the Dallas community. Shaq noted his familiarity with Flagg’s family and described the Mavericks as an ideal setting for the rookie’s NBA career.
He also drew parallels to Nowitzki’s early years, reminding observers that even the franchise’s greatest player needed time to develop fully. “We all remember Dirk wasn’t Dirk when he first got here,” Shaq said, underscoring the importance of patience in the growth process.
Shaq’s comments reinforced the narrative that Flagg’s path to greatness will require time and perseverance, a message that resonates with the Mavericks’ renewed sense of hope surrounding their top pick.
Flagg’s selection represents more than just a new basketball talent for Dallas. It symbolizes a potential turning point for a franchise seeking unity and future success. With the backing of the city, the fans, and the franchise’s most beloved legend, Flagg is positioned to become a central figure in Dallas’s next chapter, continuing the legacy established by both Doncic and Nowitzki.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Phillies’ rotation, bats respond to Zack Wheeler IL news in historic fashion during sweep of Mariners
Philadelphia Phillies star right-handed pitcher Zack Wheeler landed on the injured list on Saturday. On Monday, he successfully underwent a thrombolysis procedure to remove a blood clot near his right shoulder.In the three games since that operation, the NL East-leading Phillies have responded to losing their ace indefinitely in historic fashion.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementStarting pitchers Ranger Suárez, Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo combined for 34 strikeouts. Meanwhile, the Phillies' lineup collected 48 hits across a series sweep of the Seattle Mariners.Philadelphia has now won four games in a row, dating back to a Sunday's series finale against the Washington Nationals, and they have combined for 40 runs in that span.As for the Mariners series, it marks the first time Phillies starting pitchers have recorded at least 10 strikeouts in three straight games, at least since 1893 when the mound was moved to its […]
2025 Fantasy Draft Prep: Jamey Eisenberg’s bust case for everyone in Round 1
What could go wrong? That's the question you're asking right before you click the draft button in Round 1. You want to know how this player -- this potential stud -- is going to fail. Well, let's find out. I'm not a Debbie Downer, but that's the role I'm going to play here. We're going to make the bust case for every Round 1 player based on their CBS Sports average draft position in a PPR league following the second week of preseason action. And we're going to try and do this without factoring in injuries, although for some players, that's hard to avoid. Now, I'm not expecting all of these players to be busts since most of them are ranked in my first round. But maybe the reasoning on why they could fail will change your perspective, and you might […]
2025 NFL MVP betting, odds: Public bettors backing Joe Burrow; big bets on Lamar Jackson
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow put up an incredible season last year, compiling 4,918 passing yard and 43 touchdowns while throwing nine interceptions. He also was third in the NFL with a total QBR of 74.7, the highest of his career. However, the Bengals went 9-8 and missed the postseason.The betting public is expecting an MVP season from Burrow this year.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBurrow (+600) is tied for the third-best odds at BetMGM to win the 2025 NFL MVP award with Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen, the 2024 MVP, but behind the favorite and two-time MVP Lamar Jackson (+550) of the Baltimore Ravens. Yet Burrow has the most bets and total dollars wagered to win MVP at multiple sportsbooks."Burrow is the most-bet player and our biggest liability [among realistic candidates]," BetMGM NFL trader Christian Cipollini told Yahoo Sports.Burrow has 15.7% of all MVP […]
With Bill Belichick hire, ex-North Carolina coach Mack Brown notices massive changes for Tar Heels football
Until Bill Belichick makes his college football debut in the Sept. 1 opener against TCU, Mack Brown remains the last coach to lead North Carolina on the field in a regular-season game. The two-time Tar Heels head man said he sees differences in his old program in the short time he has been away, most notably with its investment, and that those changes will help Belichick hit the ground running in Year 1.Belichick's five-year, $50 million deal makes him one of the 10 highest-paid coaches in college football. In contrast, Brown's final contract at UNC paid him $5 million annually."Chancellor Lee Roberts is committed to football big-time for the first time in North Carolina history," Brown said on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd." "They are really wanting football to be good. They're all-in. That gives them a chance to be […]
Torcedores rivais ficam incrédulos com dívida de R$ 23 milhões do Corinthians com Depay: “Esse contrato é loucura”
Depay celebra gol pelo Corinthians (Rodrigo Coca / Corinthians)Memphis Depay, atualmente em recuperação de lesão na coxa, está presente nos próximos gastos milionários do Corinthians. De acordo com a ESPN, o pagamento de R$ 11 milhões está atrelado às bonificações contratuais do camisa 10 e, conforme previsto no documento, se encontra previsto para ser pago nesta quarta (20). Posteriormente, em 9 de setembro, o montante de dois milhões de euros (cerca de R$ 12 milhões) precisa ser pago como o primeiro pagamento das luvas do vínculo. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADESomente com Depay, a diretoria do Corinthians precisa desembolsar R$ 23 milhões ao longo dos próximos dias. Enquanto isso, a dívida de R$ 34 milhões pela contratação de Félix Torres ainda motiva uma grande dor de cabeça, já que a pendência motivou outro transfer ban vindo da Fifa.Torcedores apontam irresponsabilidade do CorinthiansDono do salário mais elevado do futebol brasileiro, Depay […]
NWSL Team of the Week: Chicago Stars’ Alyssa Naeher gets double honors with late-game heroics
The volume is cranked up on the second half of the 202 NWSL regular season. The weekend slate of matches offered multiple examples of the chaos NWSL matches can bring, with high-scoring draws and game-changing goals by goalkeepers as highlights during week 15. There are just 10 weeks remaining in the season, and the margins are getting narrower between teams, no matter the standings, so that means it's time for another NWSL Team of the Week by Attacking Third.Whether it's first-place Kansas City Current or 13th-place Chicago Stars FC, there are nine NWSL clubs represented on our week 16 team. After weekly fixtures across the 2025 NWSL campaign, Attacking Third analysts select a best XI, head coach, and honorary captain based on performances across the weekend. If you're keeping track of who has been on our past lineups, make sure […]
Related
Phillies’ rotation, bats respond to Zack Wheeler IL news in historic fashion during sweep of Mariners
Philadelphia Phillies star right-handed pitcher Zack Wheeler landed on the injured list on Saturday. On Monday, he successfully underwent a thrombolysis procedure to remove a blood clot near his right shoulder.In the three games since that operation, the NL East-leading Phillies have responded to losing their ace indefinitely in historic fashion.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementStarting pitchers Ranger Suárez, Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo combined for 34 strikeouts. Meanwhile, the Phillies' lineup collected 48 hits across a series sweep of the Seattle Mariners.Philadelphia has now won four games in a row, dating back to a Sunday's series finale against the Washington Nationals, and they have combined for 40 runs in that span.As for the Mariners series, it marks the first time Phillies starting pitchers have recorded at least 10 strikeouts in three straight games, at least since 1893 when the mound was moved to its […]
2025 Fantasy Draft Prep: Jamey Eisenberg’s bust case for everyone in Round 1
What could go wrong? That's the question you're asking right before you click the draft button in Round 1. You want to know how this player -- this potential stud -- is going to fail. Well, let's find out. I'm not a Debbie Downer, but that's the role I'm going to play here. We're going to make the bust case for every Round 1 player based on their CBS Sports average draft position in a PPR league following the second week of preseason action. And we're going to try and do this without factoring in injuries, although for some players, that's hard to avoid. Now, I'm not expecting all of these players to be busts since most of them are ranked in my first round. But maybe the reasoning on why they could fail will change your perspective, and you might […]
2025 NFL MVP betting, odds: Public bettors backing Joe Burrow; big bets on Lamar Jackson
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow put up an incredible season last year, compiling 4,918 passing yard and 43 touchdowns while throwing nine interceptions. He also was third in the NFL with a total QBR of 74.7, the highest of his career. However, the Bengals went 9-8 and missed the postseason.The betting public is expecting an MVP season from Burrow this year.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBurrow (+600) is tied for the third-best odds at BetMGM to win the 2025 NFL MVP award with Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen, the 2024 MVP, but behind the favorite and two-time MVP Lamar Jackson (+550) of the Baltimore Ravens. Yet Burrow has the most bets and total dollars wagered to win MVP at multiple sportsbooks."Burrow is the most-bet player and our biggest liability [among realistic candidates]," BetMGM NFL trader Christian Cipollini told Yahoo Sports.Burrow has 15.7% of all MVP […]
With Bill Belichick hire, ex-North Carolina coach Mack Brown notices massive changes for Tar Heels football
Until Bill Belichick makes his college football debut in the Sept. 1 opener against TCU, Mack Brown remains the last coach to lead North Carolina on the field in a regular-season game. The two-time Tar Heels head man said he sees differences in his old program in the short time he has been away, most notably with its investment, and that those changes will help Belichick hit the ground running in Year 1.Belichick's five-year, $50 million deal makes him one of the 10 highest-paid coaches in college football. In contrast, Brown's final contract at UNC paid him $5 million annually."Chancellor Lee Roberts is committed to football big-time for the first time in North Carolina history," Brown said on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd." "They are really wanting football to be good. They're all-in. That gives them a chance to be […]
Torcedores rivais ficam incrédulos com dívida de R$ 23 milhões do Corinthians com Depay: “Esse contrato é loucura”
Depay celebra gol pelo Corinthians (Rodrigo Coca / Corinthians)Memphis Depay, atualmente em recuperação de lesão na coxa, está presente nos próximos gastos milionários do Corinthians. De acordo com a ESPN, o pagamento de R$ 11 milhões está atrelado às bonificações contratuais do camisa 10 e, conforme previsto no documento, se encontra previsto para ser pago nesta quarta (20). Posteriormente, em 9 de setembro, o montante de dois milhões de euros (cerca de R$ 12 milhões) precisa ser pago como o primeiro pagamento das luvas do vínculo. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADESomente com Depay, a diretoria do Corinthians precisa desembolsar R$ 23 milhões ao longo dos próximos dias. Enquanto isso, a dívida de R$ 34 milhões pela contratação de Félix Torres ainda motiva uma grande dor de cabeça, já que a pendência motivou outro transfer ban vindo da Fifa.Torcedores apontam irresponsabilidade do CorinthiansDono do salário mais elevado do futebol brasileiro, Depay […]
NWSL Team of the Week: Chicago Stars’ Alyssa Naeher gets double honors with late-game heroics
The volume is cranked up on the second half of the 202 NWSL regular season. The weekend slate of matches offered multiple examples of the chaos NWSL matches can bring, with high-scoring draws and game-changing goals by goalkeepers as highlights during week 15. There are just 10 weeks remaining in the season, and the margins are getting narrower between teams, no matter the standings, so that means it's time for another NWSL Team of the Week by Attacking Third.Whether it's first-place Kansas City Current or 13th-place Chicago Stars FC, there are nine NWSL clubs represented on our week 16 team. After weekly fixtures across the 2025 NWSL campaign, Attacking Third analysts select a best XI, head coach, and honorary captain based on performances across the weekend. If you're keeping track of who has been on our past lineups, make sure […]
Be the first to leave a comment