For the past two months, Cooper Flagg’s trainer has already witnessed how the NBA’s No. 1 pick has grown literally and figuratively.

The literal: the Dallas Mavericks’ rookie has produced a handful of highlight reel dunks. The figurative: Flagg has adjusted reasonably well to the NBA’s physicality, increasing his scoring role and to an unexpected playmaking role.

No wonder Flagg has earned Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors both in October and November. The Mavericks (9-16) enter Thursday’s game against the Detroit Pistons (19-5) with Flagg averaging 17.43 points on 47.5% shooting, 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 33.7 minutes per game.

Matt MacKenzie, Flagg’s trainer, hardly views him as a finished product. And why would he? Rookies rarely display the best version of themselv

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