Blake Griffin knows what it’s like to step into the NBA as the No. 1 draft pick.
Griffin, who was the Clippers’ first overall pick in the 2009 draft and became a six-time All-Star, thinks the Mavericks’ No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg has the goods to succeed in the league and it set for stardom.
Griffin joined “Post Moves with Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston” to talk hoops and was asked his thoughts on Flagg and what possible advice he has for Dallas’ new star.
Spoiler alert: Griffin, who is set to debut as a studio analyst for Prime Video this season alongside Dallas legend Dirk Nowitzki, didn’t have much advice for Flagg, but in a complimentary way.
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“I don’t even know if I have advice, because it seems like the kid’s got it figured out,” Griffin joked.
Just how well does Flagg have things figured out? Griffin believes Flagg is the most complete player we’ve seen enter the NBA in recent years, even more so Victor Wembanyama.
“I think he’s the most complete player we’ve seen come into the NBA in recent memory,” Griffin said “Not saying he doesn’t have room to grow; he still has a ton of room to grow, but I mean, he passes, he shoots, he defends, he rebounds, he seems like a great teammate and seems like a great kid.”
“What’s the red flag? Which is very exciting for basketball to have these young guys. Wemby is very complete as well, but Cooper is able to play so many different positions, guard so many different positions… I’m just excited for him to start this journey”
Related:Cooper Flagg’s relentless work ethic, competitive spirit could make him NBA’s next prodigy
Factor in the fact that Flagg is joining a team like the Mavericks that has playoff expectations, and it seems like he’s entering a solid situation in Dallas. Most No. 1 picks are selected by teams coming off a horrid stretch that landed them that high in the lottery. The Mavs, on the other hand, are just one season removed from a trip to the NBA Finals and despite a tumultuous 2024-25 season due to the disastrous Luka Doncic trade and a host of injuries, are still built to win in the present.
Griffin said that being drafted to a situation like Dallas will be beneficial as Flagg embarks on his NBA career.
“I also love that he’s in Dallas,” he said. “I think they have a really solid team around him. Most No. 1 picks are going to teams that haven’t been doing too great in the past. I’m just excited for him to start this journey.”
While Griffin began by saying he didn’t think he had any specific advice for Flagg given what a terrific player he already appears to be, he did close with some quality advice that he gives to all athletes.
“The only thing I’d say is that it’s a different level and it’s a marathon,” he explained. “You’re playing a lot of games, there’s a lot of scrutiny, there’s gonn be ups and downs. It’s just that thing of ride that wave. Don’t get too high, don’t get too low. My only advice that I give to any athlete is take your craft very seriously, but try not to take yourself too seriously. At the end of the day, we’re playing a sport invented for children as a pastime to keep them busy in P.E.”
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