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Baron Davis believes that Kyrie Irving offers Cooper Flagg a crucial asset that every young NBA player needs: a teammate capable of making tough offensive possessions look effortless. In a recent exclusive conversation, Davis detailed how Irving can guide the Dallas forward through the challenges of reading defenses, overcoming scoring slumps, and managing the frustrations inherent in adjusting to the professional game.
Davis highlighted Irving's knack for generating offense when Flagg struggles to find his rhythm. According to Davis, the veteran guard must balance his own scoring instincts with the responsibility of creating opportunities for his younger teammate. "Kyrie go get a bucket, but also get Cooper a bucket," Davis remarked, underscoring the dual role Irving can play.
For a player like Flagg, who may feel exasperated at times, Davis sees Irving as someone who can reliably deliver a basket. This dynamic gives their partnership a tangible on-court purpose. By shouldering offensive duties while helping Flagg access scoring chances, Irving allows the rookie to grow without having to single-handedly solve every difficult possession.
How Kyrie Irving Can Help Cooper Flagg Grow
Davis framed the veteran's responsibility as simplifying the game for a younger teammate. "You really want to be able to make the game easy for them and allow them to kind of flourish and grow and expand their game," Davis said. The two recently shared their first game action during Dallas' preseason meeting with Houston in China. Irving scored 17 points as the Mavericks secured a 132-115 victory following his lengthy injury absence.
Their connection also extends to offseason work together, with Flagg focusing on improving his perimeter shooting after converting just 29.5% of his attempts from deep last season. Davis' assessment provides a specific lens through which to evaluate that partnership: whether Irving helps Flagg recognize defenses, navigate difficult possessions, and continue developing his own game.
Originally reported by yahoo.