Bam Adebayo warns rookie Cooper Flagg doubters

ByNBAUSA



The Dallas Mavericks they are quickly sinking to 5-14, staring at what already looks like a long, disappointing season after going all-in on the blockbuster Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade. With Davis missing his 14th straight game and the supporting cast struggling to find a rhythm, burden for rookie Cooper Flagg got heavier and so did the growing pains.

But one All-Star big man isn’t taking the early season criticism for granted.

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayofresh off Miami’s 106-102 win over Dallas on Monday night, he made it clear that Flagg’s struggles should come with patience, not panic.

“Don’t be afraid of this moment,” Adebayo told Zach Weinberger after the game. “He’s growing faster than people think. By the end of the season, I feel like he’s going to be one of those tough guys to guard because he’s going through those moments now early in the season.”

That warning comes as Flagg continues to struggle through an uneven rookie campaign, one made even more complicated by the loss of Davis, the team’s defensive anchor and secondary offensive star, for nearly a month.

Still, the No. 1 pick showed flashes in Miami, finishing with 12 points and free throws in the final minutes to tie the game at 1021102. Dallas even had a chance to take the lead, but a costly turnover by Adebayo swung the momentum back to Miami, where Tyler Hero finished his season high.

PJ Washington led the Mavericks with 27 pointswhile Max Christie added 15 and Klay Thompson scored 13. But without Davis, the Mavericks once again struggled to close.

However, Flagg’s composure late in the game did not go unnoticed, especially by the man who snapped the ball on the decisive play.

For a Dallas team desperate for positive results, Adebayo’s support is important. Novak goes through it, the losses, the pressure, the expectations, but the Heat star’s message was clear: the struggle now could be the very thing that turns Flagg into a problem later.

For the Mavericks, it’s one future sign of hope in an otherwise bleak present.





2025-11-25 16:23:00

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