Cooper Flagg

[Ice Man]

Tatum is the best comp among current players. Similar size & athleticism, two-way contributors, multiple offensive abilities, good but not great rebounders. Among those two players, Flagg is having the stronger freshman season in college, while being 15 months younger. That doesn't mean that he will be better than Tatum in the NBA, of course, but it's a pretty damned good marker.

[tsherkin]

Tatum is the best comp among current players. Similar size & athleticism, two-way contributors, multiple offensive abilities, good but not great rebounders. Among those two players, Flagg is having the stronger freshman season in college, while being 15 months younger. That doesn't mean that he will be better than Tatum in the NBA, of course, but it's a pretty damned good marker.

It's an interesting thought. Obviously not from a stylistic comparison, and I think Flagg has better defensive potential than Tatum, but in terms of what he might look like as a pretty good offensive player who has versatility and two-way play as his primary focus, for sure.

[The Master]

Yeah I didn't mean to suggest that he needs to be that level. I meant that he looks more like Kirilenko in terms of what his playmaking will provide, not the heliocentric hub-level of player.

I can easily imagine Flagg being a tier better than these 'secondary' playmakers like prime KD or a better playmaker than Giannis overall - but it will be very much dependent on his scoring development, as it is always a combination of scoring threat and pure playmaking skills. In terms of feel of the game and vision, he's really great for his age, position and role.

Tatum and PG aren't MVP guys though, and Kawhi is an exceptionally strong mid-range shooter. Like, underdiscussed good, because he plays like 3 of every 5 games. I don't think Flagg projects as that kind of scorer in the NBA.

But he doesn't look like the guys who rock the league with their offensive potency, was sort of my initial point when discussing his projection as an MVP-caliber player

No one projects as that kind of a scorer in the NBA though, maybe besides Durant, he was an all-time great talent in this area early on in his Texas days. Jokic, SGA, Embiid, Harden, Curry or Giannis - they all reached the 'unexpected' level of scoring. I don't think even young LeBron was a sure bet to become such a prolific scorer once he improved his jumper and started to better utilize his physical advantages.

That's why these projections talks are tricky - almost no one is a bet to become a ~30PPG super efficient scorer. Even Jordan wasn't, cause if he had been, he wouldn't have been selected after Sam Bowie.

ps

Tatum is the best comp among current players. Similar size & athleticism, two-way contributors, multiple offensive abilities, good but not great rebounders. Among those two players, Flagg is having the stronger freshman season in college, while being 15 months younger. That doesn't mean that he will be better than Tatum in the NBA, of course, but it's a pretty damned good marker.

He's 9-10 months younger, if we are precise.

[Duke4life831]

Tatum is the best comp among current players. Similar size & athleticism, two-way contributors, multiple offensive abilities, good but not great rebounders. Among those two players, Flagg is having the stronger freshman season in college, while being 15 months younger. That doesn't mean that he will be better than Tatum in the NBA, of course, but it's a pretty damned good marker.

I think from a physical build standpoint they’re close. Flagg has the better functional athleticism. He’s just more fluid as an athlete than Tatum.

Play wise while at Duke, pretty different though. I think from a play style Paolo is probably closer. More of a point forward role. And the big big difference between Flagg and Tatum on the offensive end, it’s his ability to get to the line. Which is what Paolo was really good at while at Duke and is very good at doing in the NBA.

Flagg’s FTr at Duke is higher than both Paolo’s or Zion’s. His ability to play point forward and draw fouls is a big separator.

[tsherkin]

[
No one projects as that kind of a scorer in the NBA though,

That's sort of the point.

I don't think even young LeBron was a sure bet to become such a prolific scorer once he improved his jumper and started to better utilize his physical advantages.

I mean, we all expected it of him and he was delivering pretty fast. By year 2, it was very clear, though that of course was in the league.

That's why these projections talks are tricky - almost no one is a bet to become a ~30PPG super efficient scorer. Even Jordan wasn't, cause if he had been, he wouldn't have been selected after Sam Bowie.

Agreed. But that's again the point I'm making. You can't project that sort of thing off of college performance.

[VFX]

Yeah, I watched him. You don’t like my comparison? Ok, his ceiling is a rich man’s Tom Gugliotta. Better?

No, that's another fairly ridiculous comparison as a ceiling.

EDIT: And Brent Barry was just an awful comparison; not even remotely similar in body type, style of play or skillset.

Time will prove me right.

Makes nonsense ridiculous comparison - “yeah I’m right you’ll see.”

If you’re gonna troll at least be subtle.

Naming random white guys that don’t even have his body type or game tells us you know nothing about this prospect.

[Special_Puppy]

What are the reasons to think that Flagg's scoring might be a relative weakness vs other top prospects?

[kartexpert]

What are the reasons to think that Flagg's scoring might be a relative weakness vs other top prospects?

He only averaged 16 ppg in HS while ballers like Mac McClung were dropping 40-bombs left and right.

[50yrceltsfan]

Flagg is the surest bet we've seen in years. Just turned 18, best player in college basketball, incredibly well rounded, point forward who can play any position. He'll be a borderline NBA all-star by age 20 in his 2nd season, and God help us when he's like 24.

[FollowTheSound]

What are the reasons to think that Flagg's scoring might be a relative weakness vs other top prospects?

He only averaged 16 ppg in HS while ballers like Mac McClung were dropping 40-bombs left and right.

He played on the best team in the country with multiple other 5 stars. Mac played for a small, rural virginia high school and only had 1 other teammate end up D1 (Zac Ervin).

[7seventynine9]

Cooper Flagg’s ceiling is a millionaires Brent Barry. I see him averaging around 20 PPG. Everybody needs to slow their roll.

Did you even watch Brent Barry?

They aren't even remotely similar, other than being white. WTF?

Yeah, I watched him. You don’t like my comparison? Ok, his ceiling is a rich man’s Tom Gugliotta. Better?

Strike for trolling.
- ccs

Tom Gugliota was really good before all the injuries and near death experience. During his peak, he was a 20/8/4/1/1 player. A rich man's Tom Gugliota is a lot better basketball player than you think. So you are saying Flagg is going to be a 25/10/5/1.5/1.5 guy with good to great defense?

Surprised no one's bothere comparing him to Chris Mullin yet. He's been compared to every other white guy.

[7seventynine9]

Flagg is the surest bet we've seen in years. Just turned 18, best player in college basketball, incredibly well rounded, point forward who can play any position. He'll be a borderline NBA all-star by age 20 in his 2nd season, and God help us when he's like 24.

Surest bet we've seen in 2 years, but I guess it's still years.

[ImSlower]

Tonight should be a lot of fun - UNC v Duke. A fun article on The Athletic today mentions just how important those rivalry games are to those two fanbases and players. Hopefully the Tarheels make a game of it despite being underdogs. I wouldn't be surprised if Flagg puts up a really big game tonight.

[TwitterFingers]

He’s oozing potential. I hope Washington drafts him.

[BigGargamel]

Tarheels stink. Flagg is doing whatever he wants out there.

[Handlez]

What are the reasons to think that Flagg's scoring might be a relative weakness vs other top prospects?

He only averaged 16 ppg in HS while ballers like Mac McClung were dropping 40-bombs left and right.

Please tell me you're joking.

[kartexpert]

What are the reasons to think that Flagg's scoring might be a relative weakness vs other top prospects?

He only averaged 16 ppg in HS while ballers like Mac McClung were dropping 40-bombs left and right.

Please tell me you're joking.

I was being facetious, I was hoping that didn’t need an explanation.

[DirtyDez]

Draymond White.

[TwitterFingers]

Beautiful Turnaround to end the half.

[ClubLakers KB8]

He looks damn good.