Cooper Flagg just landed 16 spots ahead of Kyrie Irving in ESPN’s newest top 100 NBA player ranking, a shocker that immediately sets the tone for the Mavericks’ season. Flagg, the reigning Rookie of the Year, clocks in at 23, while Irving, a seasoned vet, is at 39. This isn’t just a slight edge; it’s a statement, and assuming no other Mavs will sneak into the top 10, Flagg is ESPN’s pick as the best player on our squad.
Kyrie’s Big Return: No Decline After Over a Year Off?
Kyrie at 39? For a guy who hasn’t touched a basketball in over a year and a half, especially after a serious knee surgery, that’s wild. But the word coming out of training camp? It’s all positive! Folks who see him every single day are convinced he won’t miss a single beat. Think about this: he was 25th on this list just two seasons ago, right after an NBA Finals run. To only drop 14 spots after all that time off and a major injury? That screams confidence from the league that his ability isn’t going anywhere. Before he went down, he was putting up an insane 25 points and 5 assists every single night. If he can even come close to those numbers this season, the Mavs are in for something special.
Flagg’s Rookie of the Year Buzz Proved RIGHT
Now, let’s talk about Cooper Flagg’s spot at 23. This is where it gets truly amazing for the Mavs. His ranking might feel a little surprising, but honestly, that’s only if you were caught up in all the weird narratives swirling around him at the end of last year. Remember all the talking heads pushing hard for Kon Knueppel for Rookie of the Year? Well, Flagg silenced all that noise by taking home the actual award. And get this: Knueppel, who hasn’t even played since he lost ROY by a measly 12 votes, is sitting a mind-boggling 25 slots *behind* Flagg on this very list! That’s not just a gap, that’s a chasm. It proves that despite all the online chatter, the people who really watched all his games, like us hardcore Mavericks fans, were right all along. We knew he was a top 25 player in this league, and ESPN agrees. Frankly, by the time this season wraps up, number 23 might even feel too low for our guy.
Every single sign is pointing to both of these Mavs studs proving their ranks are totally deserved. If everything clicks just right, these two could absolutely push themselves even higher up that list next year. The Mavericks are shaping up to be an undeniable force this season. Having two players in the top 40, with one of them already looking like a definite top 25 talent right out of the gate, is just absolutely bonkers. You gotta be excited. This season is gonna be one heck of a ride, Mavs fans!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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