Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has coached against legends and guided Team USA through championship runs. Yet when he recalls facing Cooper Flagg during a scrimmage in Las Vegas last summer, his words reflect awe rather than routine analysis .

“I just remember the force you felt,” Kerr told ESPN. “You immediately felt him. It was as a basketball player; it wasn’t just like he had a huge dunk. It was the passing, the cutting, the left-handed jump hook when the offense had nothing else; it was so consistent.”

Kerr’s remarks, laced with Star Wars imagery, underscore what many around the league have seen in the Dallas Mavericks ’ top overall pick. Flagg’s poise, precision, and presence have made him look more like a seasoned Jedi than an 18-year-old entering his first NBA s

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