Former Isiah Thomas teammate warns against comparing Cooper Flagg to Larry Bird

Since his breakout performances with the Duke Blue Devils, Cooper Flagg has carried considerable hype around his name. After joining the Dallas Mavericks, he delivered a commanding performance in the Summer League that drew comparisons to Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird. However, a former teammate of Isiah Thomas expressed reservations about it.

“You put too much pressure on these guys. Number one, the great white hype, the great white hope. And so to me, Bird was Bird. They’ve been looking for the next Larry Bird for I don’t know how many years,” Olden Polynice said, via Byron Scott’s Fast Break.

Former Pistons center Olden Polynice wants to ease the pressure on Cooper, not discredit him. The intense focus on him may actually be counterproductive, considering he is still awaiting his debut at the elite level and likely requires substantial development. For instance, after scoring just 10 points in his Summer League debut, he faced a wave of criticism, with some even labeling him overrated.

“Magic became Magic through hard work, and Bird became Bird. Jordan became Jordan. Dominique became Dominique. They worked hard. They became the players. So we’re seeing them, we’re seeing the finished product. These guys now, they’re being created before they even played. We don’t even know if this dude’s body can hold up for 82 games,” Olden Polynice affirmed on Byron Scott’s Fast Break.

DJ Steward #27 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of a 2025 NBA Summer League

Moreover, Cooper Flagg openly admitted he is still acclimating to the fast-paced competition of the elite level. For that reason, Olden’s perspective has been warmly embraced by fans across the league. Nevertheless, his unique potential was on full display when he dominated the court, scoring 31 points against the San Antonio Spurs in the Summer League, hinting at a promising future in league history.

see also

Mavs’ Kyrie Irving opens up about his time with the Celtics and what drove him during his stint in Boston

Cooper is undeniably stirring up excitement in Dallas. Despite his challenging debut against the Lakers, former Mavericks player Charlie Villanueva did not hold back in his praise. “He struggled a little bit in the first game, but that’s part of the process. But I think he’s gonna be a phenomenal player and I can’t wait to see him on the Mavs uniform,” he stated via the Mavericks’ YouTube channel.

The Dallas Mavericks are treating him like another star on the roster. According to ESPN, they decided to keep him out of the Summer League team. While they have not disclosed the specific reasons, it’s likely a strategic move to prevent injuries and protect his long-term potential, acknowledging the valuable talent they have on their team.