Cooper Flagg's NBA Debut Overshadowed By Other Top-5 Picks' Performance

Cooper Flagg is one of the most hyped NBA prospects of all time. At only 17 years old, he was already the best player in college basketball, and he entered the NBA as an 18-year-old with sky-high expectations. Many believe that Flagg is the most complete and NBA-ready prospect since Anthony Davis. On Wednesday night, he joined Davis as the Mavericks took on Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. 

Overall, Flagg’s debut wasn’t all that special. He didn’t shoot much in the first half and ended the game with 10 points and 10 rebounds. He was only 4-for-13 from the field and a game-low -29 in plus/minus.

This lackluster debut probably wouldn’t have gone as noticed if fellow top-five pick, VJ Edgecombe, hadn’t shocked the NBA with his debut.

Edgecombe put on a historic performance in his NBA debut. He scored 34 points while shooting 50% from the field. He also added seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal to his impressive stat sheet.

This performance from Edgecombe put him in some pretty elite company. He now holds the record for the third most points scored in an NBA debut, behind only Wilt Chamberlain and Frank Selvy. He passed players like Isiah Thomas, Allen Iverson, and Lamar Odom on the list. 

Edgecombe’s performance was vital to the Sixers' seeking out a victory against the rival Boston Celtics. For the Sixers, Edgecombe’s development is going to be key to their future. Joel Embiid looked completely cooked in his limited minutes, and nobody is expecting a ton from Paul George this season.

Edgecombe and Maxey may force the Sixers to pivot towards a youth movement despite having tens of millions locked up with veteran contracts.