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Bam Adebayo isn’t buying the early criticism of Cooper Flagg. The Heat star says Dallas’ rookie is “not scared of the moment” and growing fast.

The Dallas Mavericks are sinking at 5-14, but one respected All-Star sees something their record doesn’t show. Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo believes rookie Cooper Flagg is being unfairly criticized and made it clear after Monday’s 106-102 win in Miami that the 18-year-old deserves patience, not panic.

Adebayo praised Flagg’s approach during a difficult stretch, calling him a young player who is “not scared of the moment” despite the Mavericks’ struggles and the absence of Anthony Davis. Dallas has now played 14 straight games without Davis, leaving Flagg with responsibilities few rookies face.

Adebayo on Flagg: “He’s Going to Be Hard to Guard”

Adebayo’s endorsement came after he stole a late-game inbound pass that helped Miami secure the win. Even in that decisive moment, he noticed Flagg’s poise.

“He’s not scared of the moment,” Adebayo told Clutchpoints’ Zach Weinberger. “He’s growing up faster than people think. By the end of the season, I feel like he’s going to be one of them ones that’s hard to guard because he’s going through those moments now early in the season.”

That message stood out on a night when Flagg’s stat line looked modest. He finished with 12 points, missed all four of his three-point attempts, and tied the game with key free throws in the final minutes. Dallas nearly took the lead before the turnover Adebayo forced swung momentum back to Miami. Tyler Herro, making his season debut, closed the game out.

Dallas was led by P.J. Washington with 27 points, Max Christie with 15, and Klay Thompson with 13, but once again the Mavericks struggled late without Davis to anchor the offense and defense.

Still, Adebayo focused on Flagg’s mindset, not the box score. “A lot of guys would drift to the corner when there’s two minutes left in a close ball game and let the vets handle that,” Adebayo said. “He was going to get the ball.”

The Rookie Numbers Show a Different Story

Flagg’s season averages offer more optimism than the nightly discourse around him. Through 19 games, he is averaging 15.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. That scoring average is higher than two of the last five Rookie of the Year winners at the same point in their seasons.

He is also the Mavericks’ second-leading field goal maker behind Davis, despite being asked to play far outside his natural role early in the season.

The context matters. Flagg entered the NBA as a touted No. 1 pick, but he did so on a roster missing its co-star and struggling to establish an identity. Most rookies walk into defined roles with modest expectations. Flagg has been cast as a stabilizer for a team unraveling around him.

The responsibility the Mavericks placed on Flagg became even clearer when looking at how different he has appeared since Jason Kidd adjusted his position.

Position Change Shows Why the Hype Still Makes Sense

Dallas opened the season with Flagg playing point guard. It was an experiment that asked an 18-year-old to run NBA offenses against elite defenders. Flagg handled the role respectfully, but it muted the best parts of his game.

At point guard, he averaged 13.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks. Since shifting to small forward, those numbers have risen to 17.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 blocks.

His defense has been sharper. His decision-making has improved. Playing alongside D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Williams has allowed him to attack off the catch instead of initiating every possession. That is the player evaluators expected to see.

Why Adebayo’s Words Matter for Dallas

Flagg’s start has been uneven, but the signs of growth are real. He has battled pressure, injuries around him, lineup changes, and inflated expectations. The Mavericks are in a difficult place, and Adebayo knows that environment often fuels, not buries, talented young players.

“The struggle now might be exactly what turns Flagg into a problem later.”

That is the message Adebayo sent. For a Dallas team living in the mud right now, it might be the clearest sign of future hope.

Jalon Dixon Jalon Dixon is a multi-platform sports journalist and content creator specializing in NBA and WNBA coverage. He blends writing, podcasting, and video analysis to deliver accessible, in-depth perspectives on basketball and beyond. More about Jalon Dixon