Here’s why Cooper Flagg’s lackluster NBA summer league debut reminded Mark Cuban of Kobe Bryant…

Here’s why Cooper Flagg’s lackluster NBA summer league debut reminded Mark Cuban of Kobe Bryant

 

LAS VEGAS — Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks’ No. 1 overall pick, entered the NBA Summer League spotlight with sky-high expectations. But in his debut against the Lakers on July 10, he delivered a mixed performance: 10 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block over 32 minutes, yet nailed just 5 of 21 shots (0 of 5 from three-point range) .

For many, those numbers might signal concern — but Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban saw something far more meaningful than a cold shooting night. In speaking to reporters, Cuban invoked a familiar name: Kobe Bryant.

> “You kind of have to think of the Kobe [Bryant] arc,” Cuban said. “It took him some time to get it right. I don’t want to curse him by comparing him to Kobe because they’re not the same. But Kobe didn’t come in right away as a polished player. It took him two years to get it.”

Cuban’s parallel isn’t meant to hyperinflate Flagg’s ceiling — it’s meant to emphasize the value of patience. Just like Bryant, who joined the NBA as an 18‑year‑old and faced early struggles before blossoming into a legend, Flagg is young and raw. And Cuban believes that time and experience will smooth out the rough edges

More than just points: Why Cuban wasn’t worried

Cuban spent over a decade watching NBA phenoms mature, and sees elements in Flagg’s game that transcend mere scoring. In particular, he pointed to Flagg’s composure:

Playmaking chops: Flagg turned the ball over only once, even while handling the ball aggressively — just as Cuban, and coach Jason Kidd, urged .

Maturity under pressure: He absorbed full-court traps, traps that Kidd described as a sign of respect from the Lakers .

Winning plays: Flagg ended the game with a pivotal blocked shot and an assist in crunch time, earning praise from Summer League head coach Josh Broghamer .

Cuban noted it wasn’t just about a flashy stat line, but doing the right thing — over and over — in high-pressure moments

Context matters: Summer League ≠ real NBA

Jason Kidd also emphasized that Summer League isn’t final judgment. It’s about growth. His plan to play Flagg as a hybrid point guard — a role Cuban championed — underscored an experimental approach aligned with developing long-term success, not immediate scoring .

Flagg himself didn’t mince words: “one of the worst games of my life,” he said . Yet, that self-criticism masked a positive takeaway — a winning result (87–85 win), team-first play, and poise.

Kidd noticed respect from opponents: the Lakers pressed Flagg from the first touch, a signal they recognized his potential . And that, Kidd suggested, is just as telling as statsheets.

Looking ahead

Flagg may not carry the scoring load right away, but with mentorship from veterans like Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, and Kyrie Irving, he has an environment built for growth . Cuban, Kidd, and the Mavericks view this as a long-term project — one that could follow a Kobe‑like arc: early bumps, steady improvement, and, eventually, stardom.

As Cuban framed it: “His floor is much higher … he can pass, play the game, defend. You can put him in any NBA game”

Bottom line: Cooper Flagg’s debut was flawed — yes. But in Cuban’s eyes, the promise behind the performance is rich. Early struggles are less red flags and more signposts of a bigger journey ahead. Just like Kobe, Flagg is young, eager, and just getting started — with a compass pointed firmly toward greatness.