Baron Davis sees Kyrie Irving giving Cooper Flagg something every developing NBA player can use: a teammate who can make difficult possessions easier.
In an exclusive interview, Davis explained how Irving can support Dallas’ young forward through defensive reads, scoring struggles, and the frustrations that come with learning.
He emphasized Irving’s ability to generate offense when Flagg needs help finding his rhythm. For Davis, that responsibility includes recognizing when to score himself and when to create an opportunity for his teammate.
Kyrie Irving já vê Cooper Flagg com um teto semelhante a dois dos melhores alas de todos os tempos e seus contemporâneos.
“Eu joguei com os dois melhores. LeBron James e Kevin Durant. São categorias, carreiras e trajetórias separadas… mas eu vejo coisas em Cooper Flagg que me… pic.twitter.com/Ayyurb9ydu
— Pisou Na Linha | NBA 🏀🇧🇷 (@pisounalinha) October 16, 2026
For a frustrated Flagg, Davis sees Irving as “somebody that can get him a bucket, you know.”
That gives their partnership a practical purpose. Irving can shoulder offensive responsibility while helping Flagg access scoring chances, giving the younger player room to develop without having to solve every difficult possession himself.
“Kyrie go get a bucket, but also get Cooper a bucket,” Davis said.
How Kyrie Irving can help Cooper Flagg grow
Davis framed the veteran’s responsibility around simplifying the experience for a younger teammate.
Article Continues Below“You really want to be able to make the game easy for them and allow them to kind of flourish and grow and expand their game,” Davis said.
The pair recently shared their first game action during Dallas’ preseason meeting with Houston in China. Irving scored 17 points as the Mavericks earned a 132-115 victory following his lengthy injury absence.
Their connection also includes offseason work together, with Flagg addressing his perimeter shooting after converting 29.5% of his attempts from deep last season.
Davis’ assessment offers a specific way to evaluate that partnership: whether Irving helps Flagg recognize defenses, navigate difficult possessions, and continue developing his own game.