Naji Marshall didn’t need long to see what the hype was about. The Dallas Mavericks forward was one of several veterans sitting courtside last week in Las Vegas, watching intently as No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg put on a show in his second NBA Summer League outing.
Flagg dropped 31 points against the San Antonio Spurs, a bounce-back performance that made a clear impression on those who had a front-row seat.
“I’m excited to play with Coop,” Marshall said. “It’s a lot of pressure being the No. 1 pick. Just going out there and playing his natural game. I think he got the jitters out. In the second game, he came back with 30. It’s something to look forward to this season.”
Flagg’s growth was evident from the opening tip. After struggling with efficiency in his Summer League debut, he attacked early, adjusted to San Antonio’s ball pressure, and ran the Mavericks offense for extended stretches. He finished with 31 points on 10-of-21 shooting, adding four rebounds and just one turnover in 33 minutes.
Marshall and his teammates were especially animated when Flagg sized up Bronny James on three straight possessions and ultimately rose up for a midrange jumper over the Lakers’ rookie. The sideline celebration became one of the viral highlights of the Summer League.
“It’s just fun,” Marshall said. “Not just because it was over, Bronny. It could’ve been anybody. It was good to see. Encouraging my teammates. He’s young, so I’m sure that made him feel good.”
The chemistry on display in that moment extended beyond the court. Flagg’s willingness to embrace the workload, bringing the ball up against 94-foot pressure and initiating offense through contact, has already earned him credibility with Dallas veterans.
“I definitely felt a little more comfortable,” Flagg said after the game. “I didn’t change anything. I know what I can do, so I just trusted the work.”
With training camp still ahead, Marshall is embracing his dual role as a contributor and a teammate who can help bring along the Mavericks’ next franchise cornerstone. His early read on Flagg’s mindset is clear: he belongs.
“I think he’s handled it extremely well,” Marshall said. “There’s something to be said for just staying composed and playing your game. That’s what Coop did. It was impressive to watch.”
Dallas will return to action Monday against the Charlotte Hornets, with Flagg continuing to log heavy reps. For Marshall, the takeaway is already locked in.
“I’m just looking forward to his progression,” he said.
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