Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks' top pick, is impressing in Las Vegas with his competitive spirit, overshadowing even his raw talent. Despite a mixed Summer League debut, Flagg's self-critical assessment and drive to win are drawing praise from within the organization.

Flagg has gone from sitting on a bucket for hours at a time harvesting peas to finding a place in the NBA as the No. 1 draft pick.

Cooper Flagg knows the expectations. ... Kidd has previously praised Flagg’s maturity and competitive drive, calling his mindset rare for an 18-year-old entering the league.

“Y ou kind of have to think of the Kobe [Bryant] arc, ” former Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban told a small group of reporters. “It took him some time to get it right. I don’t want to curse him by comparing him to Kobe because they’re not the same. But Kobe didn’t come in right away as a polished player. It took him two years to get it.”

Flagg, drafted No. 1 by the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, had a few suitors wanting him to represent their shoe and apparel product.