Mavericks strike gold as Cooper Flagg crushes glaring rookie concern

Dallas Mavericks fans are in awe that Cooper Flagg is the face of their future, and he's already silencing one of the few worries many in the NBA media had about him before he entered the league. Flagg looks as confident as ever, driving to the rim and finishing through contact. He doesn't look like a typical rookie who gets flustered by contact. He's proving that every night.

If fans still have that doubt, take a look at arguably one of his best dunks of the season, which he had against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. Thanks to a block by Daniel Gafford, Flagg goes to the rim and embarrasses Dillon Brooks. Flagg gives Brooks a body check and throws down a tremendous jam over the top of him.

The rookie has been more than efficient in almost all areas, but it's his elite confidence that's allowing him to play free driving to the basket. Embracing contact is a huge test for how veterans like to test rookies. Flagg is passing that test, and even ESPN's Tim MacMahon has to agree. MacMahon already named Flagg "better than advertised."

Cooper Flagg's driving is already elite as a rookie

"Flagg has already proved to be an outstanding driver despite Dallas' spacing issues due to a lack of perimeter shooting," MacMahon said. "According to NBA Advanced Stats, Flagg ranks 12th in the league with 339 points off drives, shooting 53.5% in those situations."

MacMahon's article was written back in late January, but the point stands. Flagg is already better than we thought we was going to be. His driving skills are elite despite Dallas not being able to spread the ball out to the perimeter. Of course, Flagg's 3-point shot needs to get better, but give him a break. He's a rookie, and he's already showing he's the best player on the team.

Flagg is playing a high level on both ends of the court, which is why Mavs fans may eventually appreciate him more than Luka Doncic. Of course, Doncic is a Mavs legend, and he always will be. Flagg's body and defensive abilities are already set for him to become a dangerous two-way player one day. On this trajectory, that "one day" won't take very long. A league-best for a rookie in any category deserves respect.

Flagg is already on track to win Rookie of the Year for these abilities, but it's clear that this isn't a one-hit wonder. After a slow start early in the season, he's been one of the only reasons for Mavs fans to watch games this year.

He's already in conversations about being one of the best teenagers to play the game, like LeBron James. Flagg still has a way to go to reach the same accolades as James, but he can be the next chosen one if he applies his 3-point shot more.

Mavs fans already love Flagg, and he will have a home here for life. Nobody has to worry about Nico Harrison trading away stars anymore, and it's clear that whether Matt Riccardi, Michael Finley, or whoever ends up as the Mavs GM won't make the mistake of trading Flagg for whatever reason.