'Unbelievable' Cooper Flagg Drawing Comparisons to Luka Doncic From NBA Coaches

Former Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle, who now leads the Indiana Pacers, says a comparison between Luka Doncic and Cooper Flagg goes beyond them wearing Mavs uniforms as they morphed from top rookies to superstars.

Flagg's historic 43-point performance to beat Carlistle's Pacers Monday night forced the former Dallas coach to recognize the on-court similarities.

“Well, getting the experience of the first year under your belt, because both those guys were Rookie of the Year,” said Carlisle, who saw the ex-Maverick Doncic make his jump to All-NBA status in his second season.

“I presume that gives you a lot of confidence. And then they have a whole summer to build on that and can take all that equity that they’ve built up with their teammates - in the league - everything else to the following year.”

Flagg is on a similar trajectory thanks in part to his new habit of eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to add on pounds to his growing 19-year-old body. With that comes added muscle, too.

"It’s clear to me that Flagg has gotten stronger,” Carlisle said. “Luka got stronger his second year as well. There are some real similarities between the two players even though they are different, but they’re both doing it with great size, they make plays with the ball, they can score from anywhere on the floor, and they have a real physical impact on the game offensively.

“Luka is just so strong and Flagg is even stronger. Luka was a great rebounder, too, and I think Flagg is as well. There are similarities with those guys. They’re both great and are getting greater.”

The reigning Rookie of the Year had his way against Indiana, whether it was in the midrange or using his physicality to get to the basket. He added 10 rebounds and six assists to join Kevin Durant as the only teenager to record such a stat line in a game in NBA history.

"It's unbelievable. He's a 19-year-old doing this," said Mavs coach Dusty May.

Kyrie Irving, who chipped in 35 points of his own, facilitated the Mavericks offense to create opportunities for more than just himself and Flagg.

“I mean, he’s able to hang in the paint and finish, and the same, just like Coop,” May said. “They’re so unselfish, and they’re such good teammates that winning is the priority over everything.”

Their partnership is working well to start the season, much to the contradiction to a particular offseason narrative about their age and futures. Flagg and Irving are each averaging over 20 points per game as Dallas has built a three-game win streak to sit at 7-4.

In the long-term, of course, Flagg remains the team's biggest priority. Naji Marshall, who among the handful that have played with both Doncic and Flagg, said the latter continues to "break the standard" for what a teen can do in the league.

"We keep calling him a teenager, but he plays way beyond his years. Got to give him his flowers," Irving said of Flagg. "The way he's always in attack mode, the way he sees the game and he gets others involved, very selfless. It helps out our team a lot, including myself.

"Just seeing him being able to make plays for others, but also when he's calling his own number, he's getting in that paint and trying to get the most efficient shot possible."