Cooper Flagg's hidden skill should terrify the entire NBA

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has no doubt been one of the bright spots on a team that has been clouded by darkness and losses. While the firing of Nico Harrison rightfully earned the national media's attention, Flagg has quietly been working on his game and getting better as each day passes.

Now, almost a month into his rookie season, Flagg's finishing and offensive outputs have reached all-time highs, and he may finally be getting the respect he deserves. It may have taken a month and a handful of games, but Flagg's finishing and ability to take over games in big moments have truly put him on a radar that could make him a superstar, assuming the team doesn't waste any time making him their focal point.

Against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, Flagg not only finished with his career high in points with 29, but he flashed the ability to finish through traffic and showed great touch around the rim, which is already something that teams need to account for. It may not look as refined as LeBron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo when it comes to finishing at the rim, but Flagg is well on his way to developing an impressive downhill game that could carry the rest of his offensive game.

Cooper Flagg's finishing is already becoming elite

It may still be very early into the Flagg era in Dallas, but there have already been multiple flashes of greatness from the 18-year-old phenom. For starters, Flagg's 29-point career-high performance against the Pelicans is one of many games in a row that have seen the former Duke product light up the scoreboard.

Against the Portland Trail Blazers, Flagg would pour in another 21 points, where a masterclass fourth quarter would lead the way to one of the Mavericks' most impressive double-overtime victories, and a large reason was due to his finishing around the rim. Flagg has often relied on his go-to spin game to get open looks, but now, Flagg is able to bully his way into defenders and create just enough room to get off a wide-open hook shot or push shot just a few feet away from the bucket.

What makes Flagg's finishing even more impressive is his ability to finish plays through contact. It may have been his former high school teammate at Monteverde Academy, but Flagg was able to get multiple and-ones over Derik Queen, who is not only taller than him but much bigger. A push shot or even a fallaway jumper may not be a reliable shot that most fans look for in a young star, but Flagg's ability to turn dead plays into a scored possession should already be a sign of his greatness.

There are still plenty of attributes that could make Flagg that much better on the offensive end, and there's no doubt that with time, they will come. However, one that stands out is his lack of floor spacing. Assuming Flagg can develop a more consistent 3-point shot, it will only create more downhill opportunities where the 18-year-old can showcase his finishing through contact or ability to dance around defenders at the basket.

It's still so early in Flagg's career, but his offensive game has already reached peaks that many fans didn't think were imaginable for a player playing on such a struggling team, and his scoring around the basket is making him unstoppable.