Mavericks fans must be patient with Cooper Flagg's hidden flaw

The Dallas Mavericks struck gold when they selected Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick earlier this summer. He was the perfect two-way player for Jason Kidd's system, demonstrating youth and drive despite only being a Maverick for less than two months. Flagg has backed up that statement, as he has been in the gym 24/7 since his final college game for Duke. Assuming Flagg continues to work on his body and game tirelessly, he could exceed Nico Harisson's expectations right away.

Yet, the one thing that stands out about Flagg is his offensive game. Flagg's high energy and capital have brought excitement back to a city still mourning the loss of Luka Doncic. He is a prolific scorer who can cause headaches for defenders. For example, Flagg scored 31 points in his second Summer League appearance, as he scored from a variety of angles. However, one thing fans must remember is that Flagg is still a rookie and his offensive game is far from perfect.

If you recall, Flagg struggled in his first Summer League game. He shot 23.8 percent overall and missed all five of his 3-point attempts. Flagg, as mentioned, upped his numbers in his second game against the San Antonio Spurs, shooting 47.6 percent overall and 33.3 percent from long range. He made three of his nine 3-point attempts. So, Flagg improved at shooting the ball, but his 3-point shot will definitely need time to develop in the NBA.

Cooper Flagg's 3-point shot may be a work in progress

In his freshman season at Duke, Flagg shot 38.5 percent from downtown. He balled out in the NCAA Tournament, converting 50 percent of his 3-point attempts. Flagg had one of his best games during the Sweet 16 when he scored 30 points against Arizona and made 60 percent of his long-range attempts. It was his high offensive game that propelled Duke to the Final Four.

Flagg did his best to carry Duke to the National Championship, but the team came short at the last second. He scored 27 points and shot 75 percent from the 3-point line. Flagg missed just one 3-point shot and made a crucial long-range attempt midway through the second half to give Duke a substantial lead. So, it's safe to say Flagg's 3-point game was one of his deadly weapons in college.

In February, Flagg had a five-game stretch where he converted 50 percent of his 3-point shots. It was an astonishing accomplishment, as he helped carry Duke to multiple winning streaks. So, he should have no issue translating his 3-point game to the NBA? Right?

Well, not necessarily. If you examine Flagg's college games, it'll show he wasn't perfect. He had five games where he missed all of his 3-point attempts and struggled to find a rhythm. Towards the end of the season, Flagg struggled to get things going. He shot 25 percent from the 3-point line over Duke's final five games and failed to replicate his success from early on.

In Duke's final regular-season game, Flagg shot 14.3 percent overall and missed all three of his long-range attempts. He scored a mere two points and didn't seem like himself. As mentioned, Flagg redeemed himself in the NCAA Tournament, but his late-season struggles and Summer League stumble might indicate his 3-point shooting could take time to develop in the NBA.

Flagg has a high release point and good confidence from nearly anywhere behind the arc, but his form is a bit unorthodox, and Mavericks fans shouldn't expect him to be a sniper right away.

This is a trend Mavs fans should be accustomed to. For instance, when Doncic first entered the league, he struggled to become a 3-point machine. He shot 32.7 percent from the 3-point line in his first season and 31.6 percent in his second season. Doncic improved his numbers in his third season when he made 35 percent of his long-range attempts.

Other NBA greats, such as Kevin Durant, also struggled shooting 3-pointers in their first season. In college, Durant made 40.4 percent of his 3-point attempts, but struggled to replicate those same numbers with the Seattle Sonics. Durwant converted 28.8 percent of his 3-point shots in his first season. His numbers nearly doubled in his second year when he made 42.2 percent of his long-range attempts.

History shows Flagg may struggle shooting the 3-point ball in his first season, and this is something fans must be patient with. Over time, Flagg may replicate his shooting numbers from Duke's postseason. He'll need to improve his shooting game, though, if he hopes to fit Kidd's system. Dallas made it clear in the offseason that they want Flagg to play at the two or three spot. So, his 3-point shooting could determine his position with the team.

For now, be patient, Mavs fans. Flagg's 3-point numbers will develop over time. It's obvious he will become a generational talent and become the face of the franchise. Flagg is already putting in work this summer, and there are reasons why NBA executives believe he will be the Rookie of the Year. Once Flagg's 3-point shot develops, it'll be the icing on the cake.