Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is set to play his first game against Victor Wembanyama, anticipating the matchup.
SAN ANTONIO — Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg will experience his first regular-season game, as well as face San Antonio Spurs‘ Victor Wembanyama for the first time.
“Obviously, I’ve seen tape and whatnot. I’ve never seen him play in person or even seen him in person,” he said ahead of tonight’s matchup.
It will be a safe bet that Flagg will be more than impressed by what Wembanyama can do on the court.
Aside from his height and wingspan, which is mind-boggling, the Spurs center is a menace offensively and defensively.
He can exploit mismatches, forcing the opposition to choose between allowing space — giving him a lane to drive, catch lobs, or shoot — or playing him close, risking him using his height, length, and new, bigger frame to muscle his way to the rim.
“From what the guys have told me, it’s kind of something you’ve never seen before,” the Mavs rookie said.
In his sophomore season, he averaged 24.3 points per game, 47.6% field goal shooting, 67% shooting at the rim, 35.4% from the three-point line, while averaging 3.2-plus blocks and 1.5 steals per 70 possessions.
“You can’t really understand that until you see it in person,” added Flagg.
This offseason, Wemby trained with legendary NBA center Hakeem Olajuwon.
In preseason play, he incorporated some of Olajuwon’s signature move (the Dream Shake), making him even more of a problem for opposing teams.
At full health and adding some size in the offseason, many are anticipating more dominance, making him a threat on the court with all signs pointing to another All-Star nod this season and a sure lock for his first Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Said Flagg, “Obviously, he’s an incredible player and I’m looking forward to getting that experience and competing against him.”