Cooper Flagg

[Shock Defeat]

That ref should be ashamed of calling that weak foul against Flagg. Flipped the whole game... Refs shouldnt decide the game.

refs missed plenty of calls for duke. That one time the ball bounced off duke player's feet but they gave the ball to Duke.

[Handlez]

Flagg has one real comparison to me. Bigger Jimmy Butler

A better shooting Jimmy Butler with an extra 2 inches of height, 5 to 7 inches of wingspan, and 5 to 7 inches of standing reach is my favorite comparison. Oh, and way, way longer strides.

Jimmy would've converted that last shot

Jimmy was in HS at Coop's age.

He would've been nowhere near this stage.

[EastonEddy]

That ref should be ashamed of calling that weak foul against Flagg. Flipped the whole game... Refs shouldnt decide the game.

refs missed plenty of calls for duke. That one time the ball bounced off duke player's feet but they gave the ball to Duke.

That was a tough call the opposing coach didn't even say anything and he had a perfect angle on the play. It was only really apparent on replay so it was nothing like the totally blown call on Flagg.

I never try and complain about refs basketball is a tough game to officiate but that was just bad.

[GreatWhiteStiff]

He also averaged 12 points and under 2 assists in 3 college seasons, did mister Jimmy Butler.

[HotRocks34]

One of the all time worst coaching fails, including allowing scrubs to take shot attempts/possessions from Flagg late.

Read on Twitter

[FarBeyondDriven]

I've said it since he was hired, Jon Scheyer was a terrible hire. He doesn't just need a massive talent advantage he needs an overwhelming talent advantage to win a championship. He'll laughably keep getting players though since Duke is a machine. Next season might be the overwhelming talent advantage he needs with the Boozier boys, Henderson and returners. It sucks that he'll get credit for it when he won't deserve it.

[HotRocks34]

Watch on YouTube

[durden_tyler]

That was his last chance at winning a title. He won't win anything in Charlotte or Washington. LOL

[HangTime]

That was his last chance at winning a title. He won't win anything in Charlotte or Washington. LOL

Get him to Toronto.
Good coach, young team, and they can be a near 50 win team next year.

[dc]

Flagg could very well have Draymond-like rim protection as a versatile FWD who can play center in a pinch. He has all the tools to do so, including a robust frame with natural strength that should allow him to get up to 235-240 like Aaron Gordon. I wouldn't get too caught up in blocks per game; Green and Giannis have very strong DFG% within 6 feet over their careers despite lower bpg. Jalen Williams is another one.

Yeah I think Gordon's physicals with a more Draymond like IQ is a very realistic upside for Flagg on the defensive end. He definitely has the frame to get up to around 240 and still be mobile. He'll be more of a team/scheme oriented defender than a physical freak like Kirilenko/AD.

He's not going to be the rim deterrent in the NBA that he was in college, but I think he has the mobility, IQ and overall mindset to successfully defend outside the paint in the NBA. Bottom line is he can eventually be the anchor of a good defense.

[FarBeyondDriven]

you won't find a bigger Flagg fan than me but he's now failed multiple times in big moments. It's not an indictment on him as player it's just something to be mindful of

[dc]

you won't find a bigger Flagg fan than me but he's now failed multiple times in big moments. It's not an indictment on him as player it's just something to be mindful of

Dude is 18 and was the best player on the floor in a game featuring 2 #1 seeds. I don't think the result of this game should serve as any kind of foreshadowing for his NBA career.

FWIW, I say that as someone who doesn't think he's a generational talent like some others do. I think he's quite easily the #1 overall pick in this draft, though.

[FarBeyondDriven]

you won't find a bigger Flagg fan than me but he's now failed multiple times in big moments. It's not an indictment on him as player it's just something to be mindful of

Dude is 18 and was the best player on the floor in a game featuring 2 #1 seeds. I don't think the result of this game should serve as any kind of foreshadowing for his NBA career.

FWIW, I say that as someone who doesn't think he's a generational talent like some others do. I think he's quite easily the #1 overall pick in this draft, though.

irregardless, narratives are born brick by brick and he now has earned the foundation of one, that being he's a choker. It doesn't mean it'll stick or become a distant memory after he makes a bunch of big shots in big moments in the future. But it exists and deservedly so. And if he has a few more failures in the clutch without offsetting with some game-winners the label is unfortunately going to stick. This is how it works. Hell, Tatum is still considered a choker by many because he hasn't done enough to shed the label yet.

[LakerLegend]

Better freshman..Flagg or Durant?

[Mephariel]

you won't find a bigger Flagg fan than me but he's now failed multiple times in big moments. It's not an indictment on him as player it's just something to be mindful of

Dude is 18 and was the best player on the floor in a game featuring 2 #1 seeds. I don't think the result of this game should serve as any kind of foreshadowing for his NBA career.

FWIW, I say that as someone who doesn't think he's a generational talent like some others do. I think he's quite easily the #1 overall pick in this draft, though.

irregardless, narratives are born brick by brick and he now has earned the foundation of one, that being he's a choker. It doesn't mean it'll stick or become a distant memory after he makes a bunch of big shots in big moments in the future. But it exists and deservedly so. And if he has a few more failures in the clutch without offsetting with some game-winners the label is unfortunately going to stick. This is how it works. Hell, Tatum is still considered a choker by many because he hasn't done enough to shed the label yet.

I don't think he will be asked to shoot last shots and carry the scoring load like Tatum in the NBA. I also don't think that many people thinks Tatum is a choker.

[The Master]

irregardless, narratives are born brick by brick and he now has earned the foundation of one, that being he's a choker. It doesn't mean it'll stick or become a distant memory after he makes a bunch of big shots in big moments in the future. But it exists and deservedly so. And if he has a few more failures in the clutch without offsetting with some game-winners the label is unfortunately going to stick. This is how it works. Hell, Tatum is still considered a choker by many because he hasn't done enough to shed the label yet.

Narratives are born because people need simplified and emotional explanations of what they are watching - sometimes these are correct, sometimes they stick because one player isn't likable, sometimes they are simply flawed. Flagg had 27-7-4-2-3 on 60TS% with 1TOV, the rest of the team scored 40PTS on 49TS%, if your explanation is that Flagg failed at the big moment, then ... let it be.

Read on Twitter

What a choker.

Better freshman..Flagg or Durant?

Durant was an all-time great scoring talent, but had many more question marks: his physical combines were bad, skinny 6'10' dude making a long NBA career was a question, he had defensive tools, but wasn't an impactful defender, his playmaking was non-existent.

Flagg was a better player as a FR in my eyes, as a prospect you can argue both ways, but I'd lean towards Cooper as well. The only thing you can criticize him for after the full season is that he didn't win a championship.

[UcanUwill]

That was his last chance at winning a title. He won't win anything in Charlotte or Washington. LOL

He is probably a Laker in 6 years anyway

[FrodoBaggins]

Better freshman..Flagg or Durant?

Flagg for me. Way more complete of a player; greater overall impact on the game. Even KD right now has holes in his game that teenage Cooper doesn't.

[yitur]

That was his last chance at winning a title. He won't win anything in Charlotte or Washington. LOL

He is probably a Laker in 6 years anyway

Tampering intensifies

[Himothy Duncan]

His playmaking for his size is what separates him for me. Special prospect.