Cooper Flagg

[wegotthabeet]

Put this kid in Charlotte with LaMelo/Miller and let them cook!

For what 40 games per year? If I landed Flagg I’d move Melo personally. I’d move Melo regardless actually while his value is still high.

I can see that possibility as well. Just build around Flagg/Miller + whatever we get for Melo.

That’s what I would do. Flagg + Miller is a pretty ideal combination at the forward spots. Melo has the talent, but he’s never healthy and not the brightest off the court. I would trade him, Bridges and pivot towards a culture reset.

[tsherkin]

Josh Smith with a brain and a better shot is a scary good player.

Yes. Smith had a million-dollar body and was just an absolute moron. And he still managed to flash some versatility in his game, which is a little wild.

[moderndarwin]

Not easy to comp a guy like Flagg.

I think it’s pretty clear he’s going to develop into a bully, dunk-on-you pro. He’s got the frame, hops and the attitude for it.

If his jumper doesn’t stand out, that makes him a modern Shawn Kemp. But he should shoot better than that, and he’ll definitely handle and pass better than Kemp, and he isn’t THAT level of athlete either, so that doesn’t work, does it?

Defensively, people love the AK47 comp because they both get crazy stocks, are white, and are about 6’8” or 6’9”. But Andrei was actually fairly skinny and extremely mobile, while Cooper projects to be stronger but not as quick. Flagg is almost certainly going to end up a 4 in the NBA, tho the smaller wing position may be fine until he fills out more. Flagg should be a better rebounder than AK as well, as he likes to mix to up and is way more physical.

That’s what makes Flagg fun, really. A big forward sized white guy that’s extremely aggressive, but still possesses way above average potential at his position in terms of handle, passing instincts, and maybe shooting, along with truly elite defensive instincts. I think he could be all kinds of interesting things in the future.

so Jayson Tatum

[Ruma85]

Not easy to comp a guy like Flagg.

I think it’s pretty clear he’s going to develop into a bully, dunk-on-you pro. He’s got the frame, hops and the attitude for it.

If his jumper doesn’t stand out, that makes him a modern Shawn Kemp. But he should shoot better than that, and he’ll definitely handle and pass better than Kemp, and he isn’t THAT level of athlete either, so that doesn’t work, does it?

Defensively, people love the AK47 comp because they both get crazy stocks, are white, and are about 6’8” or 6’9”. But Andrei was actually fairly skinny and extremely mobile, while Cooper projects to be stronger but not as quick. Flagg is almost certainly going to end up a 4 in the NBA, tho the smaller wing position may be fine until he fills out more. Flagg should be a better rebounder than AK as well, as he likes to mix to up and is way more physical.

That’s what makes Flagg fun, really. A big forward sized white guy that’s extremely aggressive, but still possesses way above average potential at his position in terms of handle, passing instincts, and maybe shooting, along with truly elite defensive instincts. I think he could be all kinds of interesting things in the future.

so Jayson Tatum

Definitely not Tatum..

[tmorgan]

Not easy to comp a guy like Flagg.

I think it’s pretty clear he’s going to develop into a bully, dunk-on-you pro. He’s got the frame, hops and the attitude for it.

If his jumper doesn’t stand out, that makes him a modern Shawn Kemp. But he should shoot better than that, and he’ll definitely handle and pass better than Kemp, and he isn’t THAT level of athlete either, so that doesn’t work, does it?

Defensively, people love the AK47 comp because they both get crazy stocks, are white, and are about 6’8” or 6’9”. But Andrei was actually fairly skinny and extremely mobile, while Cooper projects to be stronger but not as quick. Flagg is almost certainly going to end up a 4 in the NBA, tho the smaller wing position may be fine until he fills out more. Flagg should be a better rebounder than AK as well, as he likes to mix to up and is way more physical.

That’s what makes Flagg fun, really. A big forward sized white guy that’s extremely aggressive, but still possesses way above average potential at his position in terms of handle, passing instincts, and maybe shooting, along with truly elite defensive instincts. I think he could be all kinds of interesting things in the future.

so Jayson Tatum

How on earth do you read that write-up and think Jayson Tatum? Feel free to disagree with what I said, it’s just projection after all, but the guy I described is most definitely not similar to Jayson Tatum.

[tsherkin]

Not easy to comp a guy like Flagg.

I think it’s pretty clear he’s going to develop into a bully, dunk-on-you pro. He’s got the frame, hops and the attitude for it.

If his jumper doesn’t stand out, that makes him a modern Shawn Kemp. But he should shoot better than that, and he’ll definitely handle and pass better than Kemp, and he isn’t THAT level of athlete either, so that doesn’t work, does it?

Defensively, people love the AK47 comp because they both get crazy stocks, are white, and are about 6’8” or 6’9”. But Andrei was actually fairly skinny and extremely mobile, while Cooper projects to be stronger but not as quick. Flagg is almost certainly going to end up a 4 in the NBA, tho the smaller wing position may be fine until he fills out more. Flagg should be a better rebounder than AK as well, as he likes to mix to up and is way more physical.

That’s what makes Flagg fun, really. A big forward sized white guy that’s extremely aggressive, but still possesses way above average potential at his position in terms of handle, passing instincts, and maybe shooting, along with truly elite defensive instincts. I think he could be all kinds of interesting things in the future.

so Jayson Tatum

No, not really.

[The Corey's]

Cooper gonna make a lot of people look stupid.

This kid has essentially two teenage years left.

Let that sink in.

[Duke4life831]

He’s the white Tatum. Why is this not apparent to everyone. And he’s slightly better because his shot is a lot smoother and sound. He’s gonna be great.

Either than similar builds, I don’t see much of a comp here

[tsherkin]

He’s the white Tatum. Why is this not apparent to everyone. And he’s slightly better because his shot is a lot smoother and sound. He’s gonna be great.

Either than similar builds, I don’t see much of a comp here

That's what I'm saying. Not to disrespect either guy, they just don't look like they play the game in a terribly similar manner.

[FrodoBaggins]

Another great performance.

- 27 minutes
- 16 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 0 turnovers
- 6/9 FG, 1/2 3PT, 3/3 FT
- +33

[JustBuzzin]

Another great performance.

- 27 minutes
- 16 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 0 turnovers
- 6/9 FG, 1/2 3PT, 3/3 FT
- +33

You glazing now.

That's a solid performance nothing great about 16/5/6 lol

[FrodoBaggins]

Another great performance.

- 27 minutes
- 16 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 0 turnovers
- 6/9 FG, 1/2 3PT, 3/3 FT
- +33

You glazing now.

That's a solid performance nothing great about 16/5/6 lol

A very economical 16/5/6. 0 TOs, 5/7 2PT, 1/2 3PT, and 3/3 FT. I'll take an efficient performance like that every day. A Jimmy Butler-like stat line sans the three-point shooting.

[Duke4life831]

He played damn good tonight. Hard to really judge on these types of games.

This thing was a blowout 5 minutes into the game. One takeaway you can have is, even though Miami is trash. Flagg just looked dominant in the 20ish minutes he played. But on he flip side, the gap between both teams was laughable.

This was basically one of those early non conference games to start the season against mid majors that have no chance. So I guess you can basically say, Flagg looked the part tonight.

[ryan in Maine]

6 assists 0 turnovers

[LakerLegend]

Freshman Zion vs Freshman Flagg who you taking?

[Handlez]

Another great performance.

- 27 minutes
- 16 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 0 turnovers
- 6/9 FG, 1/2 3PT, 3/3 FT
- +33

You glazing now.

That's a solid performance nothing great about 16/5/6 lol

It was a complete blowout.

Cooper could force it and get 30 in these types of games, but he plays to maximize his team.

Fantastic game and everyone got to eat, leading to better team chemistry.

[FrodoBaggins]

Freshman Zion vs Freshman Flagg who you taking?

Zion is more impactful on average but Flagg's game is more well-rounded/robust which in theory you can count on whatever the matchup or circumstance. What if an injury occurs? I can count on Cooper to plug that hole. What if there's a team that can shut down the paint? That plays a quality zone? I can count on Cooper to hit outside shots and make the correct passes.

That's my take anyway. I'd lean Cooper just for the versatility/flexibility/robustness. If everything went perfectly (no injuries, good matchups) I'd want Zion but I can't count on that happening.

[Duke4life831]

Freshman Zion vs Freshman Flagg who you taking?

Flagg. He's the more well sound defender. And he's just much more versatile on offense. He can score at all 3 levels and run the offense as a point forward.

Zion was no doubt a freak and he was unstoppable at scoring at the rim.

But ya give me the versatile skill set of Flagg over Zion.

[Special_Puppy]

Freshman Zion vs Freshman Flagg who you taking?

Definately Zion. +20.1 BPM to a +15.9 BPM

[tmorgan]

Nah, that’s definitely Flagg,

Zion was such an amazing physical specimen that he was the very rare guy that could play in college the exact same way he played in high school/AAU/whatever. He just did whatever the hell he wanted and overwhelmed everyone. Roving blocks, going right through people, all that stuff. He was still super-skilled, don’t get me wrong, but translating that style of play to the pros is really hard. Still does it some, when his weight is under control and he’s healthy, but his dunk rate is waaaaaaay down as a pro, no one respects his three, he has turnover issues playing point forward, etc etc.

Cooper’s just a basketball player. He’ll start out looking a bit overwhelmed in the pros (just as he did at Duke, really), but he catches on quickly. All-Star by year three, I think. Just a really, REALLY good all-around player.