But just how large should those expectations be? Former NBA Champion Danny Green, who won titles with the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, and Los Angeles Lakers, thinks a Western Conference Finals appearance has to be the standard.

The good people of Bristol are giving their ESPN grade to Dallas for the Cooper Flagg pick ... and it is a "B.'' How? Why?

DALLAS -- The Mavericks, as expected, took forward Cooper Flagg with the first pick of the 2025 NBA draft Wednesday night. "I'm feeling amazing. It's a dream come true, to be honest," Flagg said after his selection, with his family by his side. "I wouldn't want to share it with anybody else."