Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg will try to prove that the so-called sophomore slump is just a myth as he enters his second year in the NBA.
After his sensational performance in his rookie year, Flagg will carry a heavier load for the Mavericks as the franchise cornerstone. Even with the return of Kyrie Irving from his ACL injury, it has become clear that Dallas is Flagg's team now.
Flagg will look to join the upper tier of the league's superstars, which includes Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, among others.
ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel predicted that Wembanyama will dethrone Gilgeous-Alexander as the two-time MVP, but he also mentioned that Flagg could be a sneaky candidate.
“If I had to pick one dark horse, just keep an eye on Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks. I think that a lot of people are really underestimating what this team is capable of doing, and we're gonna see some big things in Year 2 from Cooper Flagg,” said Siegel on “Clutch Scoops.”
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Explaining his forecast on Wembanyama, Siegel said voter fatigue will “catch up” to Gilgeous-Alexander. He also stated that the 22-year-old phenom, who was last season's Defensive Player of the Year, will only get better in his fourth year.
“Regardless of the season SGA has, I don't think he's gonna win a third straight MVP, and I think that's gonna go to Wemby. I think this is gonna be the first year that Wemby wins his first MVP award in what will be many in his career, and I think that he takes that next step, and most importantly, he stays healthy because that's the biggest thing for him,” added Siegel.
His co-host, Tomer Azarly, meanwhile, named Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum as his dark horses for MVP.
No player has won MVP for three straight years since Celtics legend Larry Bird from 1984 to 1986.