\u2014 Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) January 31, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Cooper Flagg has been better than VJ Edgecombe in nearly every statistical category except three-point shooting. Edgecombe is 0.1 APG ahead, and they’re even on steals+blocks per game, but Flagg has been the better scorer, better rebounder, has been a more efficient scorer, and impacts winning more. <\/p>\n That could all change, as we’re just 45 games into the first season of their hopefully long careers, but Flagg looks to have a much higher ceiling. There’s a reason he was the clear-cut first overall pick just eight months ago. <\/p>\n And the biggest reason everyone was so confident in Flagg as a prospect was his two-way ability. He’s a legitimately great on-ball defender and on helpside, coming from out of nowhere to block shots at times. To imply he isn’t a two-way player is just wrong. <\/p>\n Jan 31, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dribbles the ball during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images<\/p>\n READ MORE: Jason Kidd Goes Scorched Earth on Referees, Media After Mavericks Fall to Rockets<\/a><\/p>\n Cooper Flagg Is Better Sooner Than Anyone Thought He’d Be<\/p>\n Cooper Flagg entered the NBA with a lot of expectations. He performed well against Team USA last year in Olympic practices and won National Player of the Year in his lone season at Duke, but people probably expected there to be a larger learning curve for the rookie. <\/p>\n Instead, he’s been impressive in every game, one way or another. Had he not left a game early due to an ankle injury, he would have scored in double figures every game. The shooting is still coming along, but with how well he’s adjusted, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him close the season shooting the ball at a much higher level. <\/p>\n READ MORE: Former Mavericks Lottery Pick Drops Impressively Dumb Take on Cooper Flagg<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MavericksGameday\u00a0for more\u00a0FREE coverage of the Dallas Mavericks<\/a>\u00a0throughout the 2025-26 season<\/p>\n Follow MavericksGameday on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and Austin Veazey on\u00a0Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n More Dallas Mavericks News3 Overreactions as Luka Doncic leads Lakers to Late Rally Over Mavericks<\/a>Mavericks Legend Dirk Nowitzki ‘Not Worried’ About Cooper Flagg’s Biggest Weakness<\/a>Conflicting Reports Surface of Anthony Davis Trade Demand Away From Mavericks<\/a>Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg Earns Rave Reviews From NBA Executives<\/a>![\"Dallas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01kgdn840czvnca68ecf.jpg\" "\\"Dallas")
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