Sunday’s meeting between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks was truly a showcase of the best of the previous generation against the face of the new one.
LeBron James led the Lakers with a near triple-double of 30 points, nine rebounds and 15 assists, but Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg finished with 45 points, eight rebounds and nine assists to lead Dallas to a six-point victory.
Flagg has drawn some comparisons to a young James due to his all-around game at his size and athleticism, ability to create for himself and others and be an impact defender as well. Of course, like many of the NBA’s rising stars, Flagg grew up watching James and is excited to now be able to match up with him.
“Grew up watching him go through his whole career, so it’s really impressive, obviously first of all, just to watch him and see him be able to do the things he’s still able to do out there,” Flagg said on Spectrum SportsNet. “But it’s a dream come true. These are the moments, these are the times, to be able to match up with somebody like that with the career he’s had, he’s obviously one of the greatest, so it’s incredible.”
Flagg is still just 19 years old so by the time he was born, James was already a Rookie of the Year, All-Star and All-NBA player. Now, Flagg may be on the same trajectory as he very well could win Rookie of the Year this season, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he is in the All-Star and All-NBA conversation next season with how well he is playing to end this year.
Of course, this was the first game for the Lakers since losing both Luka Doncic (Grade 2 left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (Grade 2 left oblique injury) for at least the remainder of the regular season, so James had to turn back the clock and show he can still operate as this team’s primary creator. And his ability to perform at this level at his age might be even more impressive than Flagg doing what he is doing at 19 years old.
LeBron James & Cooper Flagg combine to make NBA history
The performances of James and Flagg weren’t just fun to watch, the pair actually made NBA history as it marked the first time a teenager and a player 40 years old each scored 20 points in the same game.
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