"The work is just getting started, but it is pretty unique in terms of the situation he's in. But being a No. 1 pick is still going to come with the pressure, still going to come with a lot of the inner thoughts that you want to impose on the team. You want to let everybody know who you are, and you want to earn everybody's respect. And that's what it takes to be in this league. There's no boys allowed."
"The first thing you tell him is to have fun and enjoy yourself,"
"Just keep your head up!"
Cooper Flagg struggled in his NBA debut, recording more turnovers than points as the Mavericks trailed the San Antonio Spurs by 15. Kyrie Irving approached Flagg near the bench, smiling, clapping and offering encouragement, including the directive to keep his head up. Flagg entered Dallas as the No. 1 draft pick on a veteran-heavy team fresh off an NBA Finals appearance, a marked contrast to prior No. 1 picks who began on rebuilding franchises. Irving emphasized having fun, managing the unique pressures of being a top pick, earning teammates' respect and embracing the opportunity.
Read at ESPN.com
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