Cooper Flagg showcases his unimaginable growth in historic rookie duel vs. Kon Knueppel

Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel placed on a present Thursday night time when the previous Duke teammates confronted off for the primary time of their skilled careers. Knueppel had the final snigger as his Charlotte Hornets beat the Dallas Mavericks 123-121. Knueppel dropped 34 factors on 62.5% from the ground within the win however Flagg’s particular person effort was historic. The 19-year-old scored 49 factors on 20 of 29 from the sphere, setting an NBA document for many factors scored in a sport by a young person and breaking the Mavericks’ single-game rookie scoring document.

The duel between the star rookies was as marketed, as Knueppel caught fireplace from 3-point vary whereas Flagg was the Mavericks’ offensive engine. Their 83 factors mixed was the third-most by a rookie duo in NBA historical past, trailing solely Pete Maravich (Atlanta) and Nate Archibald (Cincinnati) in 1971 (91 factors) and Johnny Inexperienced (New York) and Wilt Chamberlain (Philadelphia) in 1960 (85 factors).

Thursday night time’s sport served as the most recent entry for each gamers’ Rookie of the Yr case, and as spectacular as Knueppel was, and has been over the course of the season, Flagg’s obtained the slight edge right here for the award. Make no mistake, Knueppel, 20, has all of the makings of being a future star on this league. It is not simply his 3-point capturing, he is proven a willingness and talent to assault the rim when given the chance. His off-ball motion is already years past his age, and he makes the fitting passes to get the next share shot.

However Knueppel can also be taking part in on a crew the place he is not the central focus offensively. He has the posh of taking part in subsequent to LaMelo Ball, who attracts a lot defensive consideration that it typically opens up wide-open appears to be like for Knueppel on the perimeter. That was on show Thursday night time, as 24 of Knueppel’s 34 factors got here off 3s, the place Miles Bridges and Ball mixed for 9 assists to Knueppel, who was automated from lengthy vary.

In the meantime, Flagg was preventing by way of contact for factors and dealing in a wide range of floaters, mid-range pull ups and 3s to provide his injury-riddled crew an opportunity. He was creating for himself whereas coping with way more defensive stress at any time when he touched the ball. Flagg was the one Mavericks starter who completed the sport with a optimistic plus-minus, and given he was the one Dallas participant who crossed the 20-point threshold, you’ll be able to see why.

With the Mavericks coping with so many accidents, primarily to Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, it is allowed Flagg — the No. 1 decide — to be extra answerable for the offense. After a tough first few weeks, Flagg’s been as dominant as many anticipated him to be since. 

His manufacturing in January took a slight downturn, however the 49 factors signaled that that is no case of hitting the rookie wall. He is nonetheless averaging practically 20 factors on 48% from the ground, which is a stage of effectivity unparalleled for rookies. Flagg’s capturing that properly with practically 46% of his pictures coming from mid-range, a feat usually reserved for less than essentially the most deadly shooters within the league.

And that is simply the offensive aspect of the ball. Flagg’s protection is what is going to launch him into a category of his personal. He has a terrific really feel for timing blocks, can guard a number of positions and already is a strong point-of-attack defender on the perimeter. His dimension makes him troublesome to navigate round, however he is additionally fast on his toes to not appear to be a deer in headlights when he will get switched on smaller, shiftier guards.

Thursday night time’s battle showcased two premier rookies on the high of their sport in what might show to be a compelling Rookie of the Yr race. Flagg, now a -500 favourite at DraftKings, has the sting proper now, however Knueppel (+340) has a worthy case too with a number of months to play.