Whew! The wild-and-crazy 2024-2025 NBA season is over. Hope your wager on the Oklahoma City Thunder paid off for you as well as it did for us… Is OKC the new NBA dynasty? Time will tell. How soon will Tyrese Haliburton be able to play again? Same answer… only time will tell. From the offices of the ShaqFu Radio blog, we wish the Pacers star a safe and speedy recover. Now…on to the Draft!
And as the 2025 NBA Draft nears, all eyes are on Duke star forward Cooper Flagg, who is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks. With a stacked roster and a fanbase hungry for a return to greatness, Flagg’s arrival in Dallas couldn’t come at a more pivotal time. But according to Shaquille O’Neal, the Mavs rookie won’t be under immediate pressure to carry the franchise—and that could be the key to his long-term success.
Shaq, who knows a thing or two about Texas basketball after playing high school ball in San Antonio, says Flagg is walking into a dream situation. “You know, good thing about NBA and our culture and Texas culture—they gonna give you room to breathe,” Diesel explained. “First year, we wanna see what you do. Now if you show us you can do some, that second year, we’re gonna be expecting some. After that second year, no more excuses.”
In short? Cooper Flagg has something most top picks never get: time.
Unlike rookies who are expected to instantly transform their teams into contenders, Flagg is entering a Mavericks system already loaded with veteran talent. Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and P.J. Washington are all expected to play major roles next season, allowing the 19-year-old phenom to develop at his own pace. He’ll also reunite with fellow Duke standout Dereck Lively II, making his adjustment to the pros just a little bit smoother.
Shaq believes this kind of environment can be a huge advantage. “He comes from a great family background. He’s a fine player,” Shaq said. “The Mavs have always been an excellent, first-class organization. They’re gonna treat him well. They’re gonna teach him the things you need to know.”
That guidance will be critical for a young player trying to make his mark while surrounded by stars. Shaq’s advice? Stay humble, and listen to the right voices. “You have to listen to the important people,” he said. “First of all, listen to your parents, to the GM, listen to the trainer, and listen to the coach. And then, whoever you pick as your friend on the team or vet, listen to him.”
Shaq emphasized that while success and money will come quickly, it’s easy to get off track if you’re not grounded. “You start going off doing your own thing because you made it and you got your money now—things can go like they’re not supposed to go,” he warned. “My greatest attribute as a rookie was I always listened.”
With the Mavs still adjusting to life after trading Luka Dončić to the Lakers, the arrival of Cooper Flagg represents a fresh start—and a shot at the future. Shaq thinks the rookie has everything he needs to succeed… as long as he takes it slow, stays focused, and learns from those around him.
“If he listens,” Shaq said, “he’s gonna be just fine.”