Mavericks beat writer says quiet part out loud about Dallas' dynamic Flagg-Davis duo
There's a new explosive duo in the NBA, and their names are Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis. While fans likely won't get to see Kyrie Irving until the next calendar year, Davis and Flagg are going to have to hold the fort down for the Dallas Mavericks. While they are more than capable of doing so, it brings up an obvious point that goes back to Irving's relationship with Luka Doncic.
TNT's Stan Van Gundy once called the short-lived duo of Irving and Flagg the best in NBA history. While fans would've liked to see more of that, it brings up a point that Davis and Flagg's abilities can do miles more than Irving and Doncic ever did. This is not a knock on both guys; this is just a critique of the different sort of nature that the respective duos are capable of.
Kirk Henderson, who's been covering the Mavs for years, makes a point about Flagg and Davis being so elite to just use them like a video game cheat code because of their combined force. Most teams don't even have the personnel to think to do something like this, but this point is valid. Flagg and Davis can become miles more legendary than Irving and Doncic ever were, and it's easy to see why.
Mavericks should use Flagg-Davis actions early and often
Henderson suggested that the Mavericks run tons of actions with Flagg and Davis. He said that this was one thing that Dallas didn't do enough with Irving and Doncic, and he obviously thinks their two-man game will be hard to stop.
Irving and Doncic are some of the great playmakers this game has ever seen. Period. Cut and dry. But the keyword there is playmaker. Two elite playmakers together isn't a bad thing, but when we think of what Flagg and Davis can do, it's almost like the next generation of what Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal used to do. Bryant would be the facilitator, and O'Neal would be the finisher that no one could stop.
Of course, as avid fans know, those two Hall of Famers won three championships in four years. A rare feat, and even more rare in this day and age. Davis can very much be a top 10 player in the NBA, but has fallen short of that in the last few years solely because of injuries. Dallas knew the risk they were taking to get Davis, and of course, to get rid of Doncic.
Getting Flagg was pure luck. No matter how many times Nico Harrison tries and take credit for the Mavericks landing Flagg, getting the No. 1 pick was pure luck. Fans thought the Mavs were finished, and maybe once envisioned getting Kon Knuppel at best, but not Flagg. Getting Flagg was an early Christmas gift, and now, the Mavs need to take advantage of him and Davis together.
Flagg and Davis can be the legendary guard/center duo that fans haven't seen in years. We don't want to put too much pressure on the 18-year-old, but it's obvious he's going to be one of the best players in a few years. Davis' traditional post skills and diverse shooting, along with Flagg being an all-around talent, can really set up the Mavs in a better position than Irving and Doncic ever were.
Fans would've loved to see more of Irving and Doncic pick and rolls with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II, but now, we get to see Flagg, Davis, and the rest of those guys still here in Dallas. This will be a force for years if Harrison keeps them all together.
Jaylen Brown’s Future in Question: Celtics Star Opens Door to Potential Exit
The Boston Celtics enter the 2025-26 season facing uncertainty surrounding one of their franchise cornerstones, Jaylen Brown. The All-Star forward, drafted third overall in 2016, recently made comments that have sparked speculation about his long-term future with the team.
In a candid interview, Brown admitted: “Nobody can predict the future. I’ve always valued what Boston has given me, but a career is a journey of constant change.” The statement quickly ignited discussion across the league, especially as the Celtics look to rebound from a disappointing postseason and restructure their roster to remain contenders.
Off the court, Brown has been making headlines as well. He announced plans to launch his own signature shoe brand, turning down lucrative offers from major companies like Nike. For many observers, this move highlights not only his entrepreneurial spirit but also his desire for independence and control over his personal brand—further fueling speculation about whether he envisions a future beyond Boston.
The Celtics have long banked on the dynamic pairing of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown as the foundation of their championship aspirations. However, Brown’s remarks have raised the question: will his loyalty to the franchise be enough to keep him in green and white? Should he decide to move on, it would send shockwaves through the NBA, as Brown is widely regarded as one of the most versatile two-way players in the game today.
For now, Boston’s front office has made it clear that Brown remains central to their long-term vision. Yet in the unpredictable world of professional basketball, circumstances can change in the blink of an eye. Fans at TD Garden will be watching closely, hoping that their star remains a Celtic, while bracing for the possibility that a new chapter could be on the horizon.
