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Cooper Flagg can make Mavericks fans fall in love with basketball all over again

Basketball is supposed to be fun!
ByNoah Weber
Dallas Mavericks, Cooper Flagg
Dallas Mavericks, Cooper Flagg | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Dallas Mavericks fans have been to hell and back over the past two years.

The Mavericks went from the mountaintop to the bottom

It all started in 2024. The team made the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011, but fell short to the Boston Celtics in five games. They then made some big moves in the offseason, including signing Klay Thompson to a three-year deal, and it looked like they were in an even better position to win than before. Mavs fans were on cloud nine. This seemed like their best chance to win an NBA championship in years.

Fast forward to the trade deadline, and the Mavericks moved on from Luka Doncic. MFFLs hit rock bottom. The player Dirk Nowitzki passed the torch to was traded less than a year after leading them to the NBA Finals, and Mavs basketball was not the same.

The team then missed the playoffs, but winning the NBA Draft Lottery changed everything. Dallas later drafted Cooper Flagg, and for the first time since Doncic was traded, there was something to be excited about.

Cooper Flagg gives Dallas hope

Flagg had an outstanding rookie season, as he averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.8 percent from the field. His defense, hustle, energy, and driving made him must-watch television every game, but Mavs hoops still weren't as exciting as they once were.

Dallas went 26-56 during Flagg's rookie year and missed the playoffs for the second straight year, the first time since Luka's rookie season. They didn't have the shooting or playmaking to hang with other top teams, but things look to be different this season. With Flagg as the cornerstone, he can help make Mavericks fans fall in love with basketball once again.

After the Doncic trade, the Mavs lost a substantial number of fans due to the magnitude of the move. No one expected Luka to get traded, but Flagg has slowly started to win the fan base back over.

Mavericks fans are beginning to move on as best as they can, and the passion within the city about the team is present once again. Dallas added a new president of basketball operations, general manager, head coach, and completely revamped the roster, but the real reason to be excited is Flagg.

Flagg is a monster

He has the potential to be one of the faces of the NBA extremely soon, and he's well on his way to being the best two-way player that the Mavericks have ever had. Flagg takes pride in playing lockdown defense, and he can change the trajectory of a game on his own.

He has a knack for getting to the rim and scoring with either hand, and his ability to finish above the rim is exciting. Flagg is always looking to punch a massive dunk on an opponent and has no fear when he's rising up for a slam.

Coop isn't just talented either. He's entertaining.

He's always a threat to throw down a monster dunk or make a game-changing block, and it's impossible to take your eyes off him when watching the Mavs.

Not to mention, he's a workaholic. Flagg wants to win badly, and Dallas' losing last season bothered him.

The Mavericks found their next franchise cornerstone just months after trading Doncic, and while it may take some time for them to reach the NBA Finals once again, fans finally have something to smile about due to Flagg's immense potential.

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