Flagg s debut sparked heated discussion: After the game, he praised Russell with thick eyebrows and Kidd said that he will only be better in the future.

On October 7, the Mavericks defeated the Thunder 106-89 in the NBA preseason. Flagg, the new No. 1 pick, started the game for 14 minutes. He scored 3 of 6 shots, 2 of 3 three-pointers, and 2 of 2 free throws. He scored 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block in 158 seconds of the second quarter. After the game, Flagg explained how to hold the ball, saying that both he and Big Eyebrow are qualified for the guard position.

Talking about holding the ball after the game, Flagg said: I think this relieves a lot of pressure on our defenders... Russell emphasized to me that I must understand every position in our tactics and any coordination we play, so that we can make it easier for each other. If he's being pressed every possession, it's not smart or realistic for him to push against that pressure every time, whereas if I can come in and get the ball, it's a lot easier to bring the ball up against a defender who's not going to press me... sharing the pressure, looking out for each other, working together in that way.

Talking about the impact of playing with big teammates on the same court on his own game, Flagg said: I think it is very interesting. This is a style of basketball that I have never been exposed to before, but it allows me to expand my game and move more on the outside. It can also help the smoothness of cooperation between me and my thick eyebrows. Both of us can play the guard position and play this kind of 'positionless' basketball. Having such height and size can really be an advantage for us on the defensive end.

Talking about playing alongside Russell, Flagg said: So far, Russell has had a very big impact and has always set the tone of the game at a very high level. Ever since he joined the team and integrated into the team, he has been leading by example and is a true role model. Not only does he play very hard, he also plays very smartly. He has a different level of understanding of the game, so I think I can learn a lot from him in terms of the way he breaks down defenses and uses his vision to create an advantage for the team.

Talking about Flagg's preseason debut, Mavericks coach Kidd said: This will become one of our advantages, allowing him to control the ball, make judgments, and execute pick-and-roll tactics. I think he does a great job creating opportunities for his teammates. For an 18-year-old, his ability to control the ball in these situations is both special and fun to watch, and he will only get better in the future.

Thunder coach Daignault said: I think Flagg played very well and has an obvious physical advantage. He plays the game the right way, can take care of both ends of the floor, and I do think he plays reasonably. This is his first game, and the outside world is paying great attention to him. Some players, in this situation, might be eager to take a shot or something, but I don't think he did that. He lets the game come to him and he handles it really well.

What kind of performance can Flagg perform in his rookie season? Let’s wait and see.

Mini-game recommendations:Diep.io