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Cooper Flagg's unpolished shooting mechanics spark concern after debut struggles in Dallas Mavericks
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The Dallas Mavericks came out on top, but Cooper Flagg left a somewhat mixed impression during his first game in Las Vegas. The No. 1 overall pick managed to score 10 points, pull down 6 rebounds, provide 4 assists, make 3 steals, and block one shot—yet he had a rough shooting night, hitting only 5-of-21, and he missed all five of his attempts from three-point range in their 87–85 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Now, NBA insider Tim Legler is sounding the alarm about the rookie's shooting form.
Tim Legler says
Mavericks
must prioritize fixing Cooper Flagg's 'sideways' shot rotation
Cooper Flagg's game was like two sides of a coin. He struggled with nerves at first, which hurt his offensive game, but he got it together towards the end of the first half, pulling off a stunning breakaway dunk, making some nice plays, and getting a key block, all while demonstrating his defensive talent and athletic ability. But as soon as the second half started, he went ice-cold—no points after halftime, despite having many chances.
Legler, a former NBA three-point specialist who clinched the 1996 Three-Point Contest and had a career average of 43% from beyond the arc, didn't hold back. He commended Flagg's competitiveness, defense, ball handling, and court vision, but stressed that ongoing mechanical flaws, like the ball's "sideways rotation," could limit his shooting potential. If these issues aren't addressed, he might remain a 20–30% three-point shooter—a ceiling that no top pick wants to hit.
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During the debriefs, Flagg was honest, admitting his outing was "not up to my standard" and calling it "one of the worst games" he's had. While this self-assessment shows his maturity, head coach Jason Kidd highlighted the good aspects. Kidd commended him for his confident ball control, making winning decisions under pressure, and maintaining his composure.
Still, the numbers indicate why this concern is valid: in just over 32 minutes, Flagg managed to score 10 points on 5-for-21 shooting—going 0-for-5 from three-point territory—while also grabbing six rebounds, dishing out four assists, making three steals, and recording a block.
The defensive pressure, including targeted double-teams, hastened his release and revealed issues with the structure of his jump shot.
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His shooting form needs some quick adjustments, particularly as NBA defenses become more challenging. With Tim Legler's keen eye on his release, the Mavericks have a strategy for enhancement. Little changes in his catch and dribble, combined with muscle memory and consistent practice, could reveal the jump shot that will make Flagg a true star—and turn his bright debut into the groundwork for an iconic career.
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