Cooper Flagg didn’t waste much time introducing himself to the new NBA season. Thirty-two points in the Dallas Mavericks’ opener is quite a way to start. He also made history as the teenager with the most points in an NBA season opener.

But here’s what interests me. Dallas lost badly to Houston, and Flagg’s night wasn’t enough to change that. For a young player who has already shown he can score in bunches, the next lesson might have less to do with putting the ball in the basket and more to do with figuring out how to help a team win. That’s a different challenge.

No Excuses from Flagg About the Game

Flagg didn’t seem interested in making excuses after the game. He talked about the Mavericks getting disorganized, failing to get back in transition and taking too many three-point shots when those shots weren’t falling. He also talked about getting to the basket and creating better opportunities.

I like hearing that from a young player. He’s looking at what went wrong rather than simply pointing to his own scoring total. Of course, one interview doesn’t tell us everything about a player’s character. Still, it’s encouraging when a teenager can recognize that scoring 32 points and playing winning basketball aren’t necessarily the same thing.

Flagg Will Help Veteran Irving Get Easier Looks

There’s another piece to this story, too. Kyrie Irving is returning after a long absence, and Flagg understands that helping him get comfortable is part of the job. He talked about finding Irving easier looks and taking some of the defensive pressure off him. That’s a lot to think about for a teenager who’s still establishing himself.

That’s an interesting responsibility for a young player. Flagg is trying to establish himself while also learning how to make life easier for an experienced teammate. If he can do both, Dallas could eventually have something more valuable than a gifted scorer.

The Mavericks have plenty to sort out, and Flagg will have nights when the shots don’t fall. He’ll also have to learn that opposing teams will adjust to him as they get more film to study.

Flagg’s Scoring Is Only Part of the Story

But the early signs are encouraging. The points are exciting, and the records are fun to talk about. What I’d watch next, though, is whether Flagg keeps making good decisions when things get uncomfortable.

Great players can fill a box score. The really interesting ones learn how to make the people around them better, too. That’s the next part of Cooper Flagg’s story worth following.

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