A message from Cooper Flagg’s mom showed the respect between her son and Kon Knueppel as both rookies battle for early Rookie of the Year positioning.

Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel played one season at Duke before going their separate ways in the NBA. Flagg was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the No.

Cooper Flagg enjoyed a big game on Monday night despite the Dallas Mavericks' difficult loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Despite adding No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks have lost four straight and sit in last place in the Western Conference at 2-7. Hall of Fame former Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki weighed in, saying he “feels bad” for the fans because of the team’s “disastrous start” and offered some advice to the 18-year-old Flagg.

Cooper Flagg led the Dallas Mavericks' charge against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center on Monday.

Cooper Flagg on Nico Harrison’s departure: “From what I knew, he seemed like a great guy and we had a really solid relationship. At the end of the day I’m here to play basketball and whatever goes on above me, is above me.” pic.twitter.com/xquREflbDR

In a recent interview, Dirk Nowitzki stated that the Mavericks should have acted sooner to prevent turmoil in the new Cooper Flagg era.

Cooper Flagg is going through a bit of a rough start in his rookie year for the Mavericks, but Bucks head coach Doc Rivers believes in him.