Cooper Flagg is just weeks away from playing his first regular-season game with the Dallas Mavericks.
Flagg is hoping to have one of the best rookie seasons ever and immediately fit seamlessly alongside his teammates.
To make that happen, Flagg has been practicing in an unorthodox but brilliant way: he’s been playing NBA 2K26 with fellow Mavericks players.
Speaking to Bleacher Report, digital director for NBA 2K26, Ronnie Singh, summed up how the game is helping Flagg.
“I’ve been talking to Cooper Flagg a lot the last couple of weeks, and he’s already trying to shape up how he’s going to fit into that team by playing the NBA2K26 game with him, integrated with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis,” Singh said. “He might not get to play with Kyrie for a minute, so it’s kind of cool that he gets to simulate that, see how the off-the-ball movement is. Our AI is so good. It really simulates the authentic experience of being on the court.”
There was a time when playing the 2K games was simply a way for people to enjoy some relaxing and competitive entertainment.
But the games have gotten so good and the AI has become so advanced that playing a game is like being a part of a real NBA battle.
That is great news for Flagg, who has an immense adjustment ahead of him.
He was the best player in college, but the difference between collegiate and professional ball is huge, no matter how great he was.
He will have to learn the ins and outs of the league and adjust his tempo, competitiveness, and many aspects of his play.
Plus, he has to build strong bonds with his fellow players, including Kyrie Irving, who may be out for months more.
Firing up a game of NBA 2K26 is going to help Flagg in a number of ways, and it could lead the way to the Rookie of the Year trophy.
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