The Dallas Mavericks are having a rough season, sitting at 19-33 in the league. Let’s be honest. The playoffs for them seem like a distant dream. Even making the play-in tournament looks unlikely at this point. But there is still one bright spot.
It is that rookie Cooper Flagg is absolutely giving his best, and now, he has gotten some valuable words of wisdom from a Mavericks legend.
Dirk Nowitzki’s Valuable Words for Cooper Flagg
NBA On Prime recently released a one-of-a-kind interview between Mavs icon Dirk Nowitzki and Flagg. In the video, Nowitzki opened up about what it feels like to be back around the organization and also about what it was like when he first joined as a young player.
“It has always felt surreal to walk back in. How time flies. Great memories are coming back. Old faces, like the good old days… When I first got here, I did not know what to expect. I was a rookie. I wanted to establish myself. I was all about scoring, and so I admire what you do already at a young age,” Nowitzki said during the interview.
Nowitzki told the rookie that he is on the right path and even said Flagg is already doing more at this stage than Nowitzki himself did early in his career. In the end, the legend’s advice was simple for the rookie. It was to keep going and keep working hard.
“You are already way up ahead of my curve. Your all-around game has already developed, unbelievably… Don’t be satisfied with rookie of the year or first deal. I always want you to keep improving. It’s how I got to play that long. 21 years later now, this community means a lot to me. I moved here, my family lives here… We are all proud of you… You are all on your way, my friend, and we are here to witness it,” Nowitzki added during the interview.
From one generation to another 🤝
Dirk Nowitzki (@Swish41) talks with rookie Cooper Flagg about his first season in the league, the Dallas community and a whole bunch more! pic.twitter.com/z0aTg2547o
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) February 7, 2026
Flagg has already shown the NBA world what he’s capable of. He is breaking records left and right. His most recent feat came on January 29, 2026, against the Charlotte Hornets when he scored 49 points. In doing so, he set the NBA record for most points scored by a teenager.
That broke Cliff Robinson’s previous record of 45 points, which had stood since 1980, when Robinson played for New Jersey. But wait, there’s more.
Back in December, Flagg became the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 40 points in a game. Unfortunately, that achievement came in a 140-133 overtime loss to the Utah Jazz. So the celebration was bittersweet.
Flagg also became the first teenager in NBA history to score 30 or more points in three straight games, later extending that streak to four consecutive 30-point performances while also grabbing at least five rebounds in each game. That achievement matched scoring streaks once set by legends like Michael Jordan.
“You kind of have to really be comfortable with yourself and know what you can do out there (Court). I feel so comfortable on the court. It has always been like a safe space for me. Somewhere I can be myself out there. being confident and knowing what I get to. I think that has been a really big part as well,” Flagg said during the interview.
Nowitzki entered the NBA in 1998 after being selected ninth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks before being traded to Dallas. Over 21 seasons with the Mavericks, Nowitzki transformed the franchise. He ultimately led the team to its historic 2011 NBA championship.
Currently, Flagg is averaging 20.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. According to Nowitzki, the rookie is on the right track. If Flagg can maintain this level of brilliance and continue developing his game, then who knows? He might just reach Nowitzki’s legendary status someday.
