Cooper Flagg Discussion Thread

Duke played an exhibition game against a D2 team. Here's the box score: [url]https://goduke.com/sidearmstats/mbball/individual;team=home[/url]

Cooper played well: 22/2/6 with 4 blocks, 8-16 FG shooting 2-5 from three, 4-7 on FTs, in 24 minutes. There is not much to take away from this as Lincoln is ass. Still, it's nice to see him out there for Duke.

I was impressed by his length when dunking. It looks like he barely has to jump to dunk the ball. Check out the GIFs below. I'm a believer in his size and athleticism for the PF position.

[img]https://i.ibb.co/YBVxLb6/97auwq.gif[/img]
[img]https://i.ibb.co/8N7qPxR/97audf.gif[/img]
[img]https://i.ibb.co/4Wg5Cn2/97av7n.gif[/img]
[img]https://i.ibb.co/tQKWB1N/97avc6.gif[/img]

[video=youtube;ZdKxLaDL_JA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdKxLaDL_JA[/video]

[IMG]https://i.ibb.co/4f1Tjpy/n-ZK7j-Rq-d.webp[/IMG]

Better highlights; includes blocks:

[video=youtube;ZYqcSnHgDdw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYqcSnHgDdw[/video]

F*cking hell.

I'm calling it, we're looking at a general talent in Cooper Flagg. He's going to be a superstar from day 1.

A more mobile Franz Wagner on offense and a Kirilenko type on defense.

This kid is going to be an absolute star. America finally got their white superstar.

[QUOTE=Im Still Ballin;14950064]Better highlights; includes blocks:

[video=youtube;ZYqcSnHgDdw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYqcSnHgDdw[/video][/QUOTE]


In terms of his build, his maturity, his fame, the guy he reminds me of most coming out if high school is actually Lebron.

But I dont think hes as much of a natural point forward as Lebron. Hes more of a true forward. One guy he kinda reminds me of so far... Shawn Kemp. Aggressive, explosive, powerful. Whether he can maintain that style in the NBA is to be determined, but among his current peers, he looks unstoppable near the rim.

[QUOTE=Neal Romer;14950077]In terms of his build, his maturity, his fame, the guy he reminds me of most coming out if high school is actually Lebron.

But I dont think hes as much of a natural point forward as Lebron. Hes more of a true forward. One guy he kinda reminds me of so far... Shawn Kemp. Aggressive, explosive, powerful. Whether he can maintain that style in the NBA is to be determined, but among his current peers, he looks unstoppable near the rim.[/QUOTE]

Shawn Kemp is interesting, but I think he's more of a true wing, with the athleticism and wingspan of a power forward. It's a very unique combination. He has the height and coordination of a wing, but his shoulders and wingspan are absolutely massive. It allows him to move his feet like a wing, but jump and defend like a big man. He's pretty much the ultimate small ball player.

[QUOTE=Im Still Ballin;14950064]Better highlights; includes blocks:

[video=youtube;ZYqcSnHgDdw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYqcSnHgDdw[/video][/QUOTE]

Put on a show as expected

Knecht is far superior

Long way to go fellas. Cooper is a high-floor prospect so he should be a productive rotation player at worst. His bust potential is lower than most. His upside is an interesting discussion. IMO, Flagg's offense is being underrated because his defense is such a focal point.

Copying my threads on RGM again?

People don't get that Cooper Flagg has the perfect package for the modern NBA.

Unlike Wemby who is limited in that height also has drawbacks, Cooper is simply long, with a wingspan of a much taller player, but the torso and legs of a normal wing. This means Cooper can move like a wing, but defend like a big. He also has massive shoulders which will help with rebounding.

Cooper has the same qualities that made KG, AD stars. He'll be the ultimate switcher on defense, the ultimate help defender. He'll run the floor like Giannis and KG, dominate smaller opponents like AD.

Mark the 5th of November on your Calenders when the future GOAT makes his official college debut :pimp:

Kind of crazy that NBADraft.net gave Flagg a higher potential score now than they did Wemby two years ago. 102 vs 101. The biggest dock on Wemby was his strength. Which is understandable.

[QUOTE=Meticode;14951178]Kind of crazy that NBADraft.net gave Flagg a higher potential score now than they did Wemby two years ago. 102 vs 101. The biggest dock on Wemby was his strength. Which is understandable.[/QUOTE]

Wow I didn't know that, so Flagg has the highest score of any prospect ever?

I know Zion got 100 score

[QUOTE=3ba11;14950172]Knecht is far superior[/QUOTE]

Missed this one :lol

[QUOTE=Manny98;14951181]Wow I didn't know that, so Flagg has the highest score of any prospect ever?

I know Zion got 100 score[/QUOTE]

I don't know. I randomly looked up Flagg last night because I don't know much about him. I don't follow prospects much. Then I got curious and wondered what they scored Wemby and was surprised Wemby was 1 point lower.

Edit: I looked up other players they scored. And kind of laughed...

Blake Griffin, 2009, 105
John Wall, 2010, 103

:oldlol:

Cooper's wingspan referred to as 7'1" in this recent Sports Illustrated article:

[url]https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/2025-nba-draft-breaking-down-cooper-flagg-skills[/url]

[quote]Flagg is a 6-foot-9 forward who has a 7-foot-1 wingspan and weighs 205 pounds. He has great positional size and physical tools which will allow him to comfortably play up and down the lineup. Not only does he have those great physical tools, but he also is an elite athlete and is arguably a top-five athlete in this year’s draft. When it comes to measurables and athletic testing, Flagg absolutely dominates there and it will show at the NBA Draft Combine.[/quote]

That number seems more believable than the 6'11.75" from the J Kyle Mann video.

[video=youtube;BsN3ih9_yH4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsN3ih9_yH4[/video]

[QUOTE=Meticode;14951245]I don't know. I randomly looked up Flagg last night because I don't know much about him. I don't follow prospects much. Then I got curious and wondered what they scored Wemby and was surprised Wemby was 1 point lower.

Edit: I looked up other players they scored. And kind of laughed...

Blake Griffin, 2009, 105
John Wall, 2010, 103

:oldlol:[/QUOTE]

What's funny about that? Both those dudes were all-nba and derailed by injuries. Both had borderline MVP candidate peaks.

[QUOTE=ralph_i_el;14953475]What's funny about that? Both those dudes were all-nba and derailed by injuries. Both had borderline MVP candidate peaks.[/QUOTE]

Griffin and Wall were built for the regular season. No game planning and faster pace.

Wall wasnt really a savvy enough floor general for the playoffs and Griffin's short wingspan gave him problems when the game slowed down. They might have been "All NBA" but like Tatum they werent among the actual best players.

Im not saying they were scrubs or anything, just that I dont think injuries limited their accomplishments, mainly just their longevity.

[QUOTE=Neal Romer;14953502]Griffin and Wall were built for the regular season. No game planning and faster pace.

Wall wasnt really a savvy enough floor general for the playoffs and Griffin's short wingspan gave him problems when the game slowed down. They might have been "All NBA" but like Tatum they werent among the actual best players.

Im not saying they were scrubs or anything, just that I dont think injuries limited their accomplishments, mainly just their longevity.[/QUOTE]

I’ll say this, 2017 John Wall was better in the playoffs than Tatum ever was.

Griffin is a weird one. And also better than Tatum but never as good as his numbers. Not even in 2015. But solid defender.

Griffin was anchoring the 2021 Nets D and containing Giannis with no help D. He was gonna Draymond his way to a championship. Griffin was no dummy, he wasn’t a gimmick guy and and he was no loser. He proved that.

And he really did break down physically and rapidly at that.

I don’t think either one reached their ceiling. Wall had knee issues even in his best years.

First slam dunk for Duke:

[video=youtube;5KuoQDAtugQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KuoQDAtugQ[/video]

I like the passing and back-to-the-basket stuff. Cooper has a strong frame with a sturdy base, has great balance, absorbs contact very well, plays physically, and covers a lot of ground pivoting with his long strides. His strength and post potential are two areas in which he differs from Kirilenko.

Luka, Randle, and Brunson are three current examples of primary shot creators who use a back-down game to get into the teeth of the defense and collapse it. Flagg may not have a crazy burst off the dribble, but he seems to have the right ingredients for the back-down game.

[video=youtube;3IGpkiqKuWA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IGpkiqKuWA&pp=ygUMY29vcGVyIGZsYWdn[/video]

Flagg looked better than I expected last night, he's well and truly a generational talent, :bowdown:

[QUOTE=Manny98;14953683]Flagg looked better than I expected last night, he's well and truly a generational talent, :bowdown:[/QUOTE]

I'm sure Utah will appreciate him.

[QUOTE=Real Men Wear Green;14953695]I'm sure Utah will appreciate him.[/QUOTE]

Yeah he's not going to Utah :oldlol:

Can't wait for Cooper to wear a Raptors uniform and play for us.

[QUOTE=BurningHammer;14953747]Can't wait for Cooper to wear a Raptors uniform and play for us.[/QUOTE]
Not ideal but if he gets drafted to Toronto I will have to start rooting for them

Watched most of the second half. His shooting/finishing left a little to be desired, but a part of that could have been being so amped up for the first game. However, his feet/hands/awareness on defense are absolutely incredible for someone so young. As are his instincts overall on offense.

[QUOTE=ShawkFactory;14953755]Watched most of the second half. His shooting/finishing left a little to be desired, but a part of that could have been being so amped up for the first game. However, his feet/hands/awareness on defense are absolutely incredible for someone so young. As are his instincts overall on offense.[/QUOTE]

The mechanics are there I definitely think he can be a nice 37% from 3 point and it was quite clear he was a step above everybody else on the floor

[QUOTE=Manny98;14953746]Yeah he's not going to Utah :oldlol:[/QUOTE]
Why wouldn't he? Their record is terrible and it will remain terrible. Ainge put their assets on fire sale for years to accumulate talent and it's going to work. The only thing that could work against him is some bad luck in the lottery. You know who's not going to get him? Any team that is honestly trying to win. I actually respect Brooklyn for fighting for respectability but that .500 glory will mean they don't draft Flagg. Already gave Ainge a lead in those ping pong balls. Looks like he's going to take away your young franchise player again.

[QUOTE=BurningHammer;14953747]Can't wait for Cooper to wear a Raptors uniform and play for us.[/QUOTE]
Possible. They're in the mix with Utah.

[QUOTE=Real Men Wear Green;14953766]Why wouldn't he? Their record is terrible and it will remain terrible. Ainge put their assets on fire sale for years to accumulate talent and it's going to work. The only thing that could work against him is some bad luck in the lottery. You know who's not going to get him? Any team that is honestly trying to win. I actually respect Brooklyn for fighting for respectability but that .500 glory will mean they don't draft Flagg. Already gave Ainge a lead in those ping pong balls. Looks like he's going to take away your young franchise player again.[/QUOTE]
Silver wouldn't let the next generational talent rot in ****ing Utah of all places I don't see it :oldlol:

[QUOTE=Manny98;14953771]Silver wouldn't let the next generational talent rot in ****ing Utah of all places I don't see it :oldlol:[/QUOTE]
They "let" LeBron James go to Cleveland.

Lebron was a hometown hero.

Is Flagg from Utah?

[QUOTE=Carbine;14953775]Lebron was a hometown hero.

Is Flagg from Utah?[/QUOTE]
If the concern is having superstar in big city you don't concern yourself with having the guy from Akron go to Cleveland.

I really liked this mid-post face-up move:

[IMG]https://i.ibb.co/JqcxN4g/997px0.gif[/IMG]

He has good bully-ball potential with what he's working with. This reminded me of the type of moves AD makes now that he's quite strong, 260+ pounds, and plays physically. The young Davis lacked the strength.

Cooper has a long stride. Similar in absolute/relative leg length to Ingram I'd say. They've got similar bodies aside from Cooper being way thicker/wider/more robust. Took two dribbles from half-court before dunking. He really covers a lot of ground per dribble in the open court.

[IMG]https://i.ibb.co/RQY5xkJ/997vcf.gif[/IMG]

[QUOTE=Manny98;14953749]Not ideal but if he gets drafted to Toronto I will have to start rooting for them[/QUOTE]

Not surprising, would be like the 5th time you swapped which team you support

Duke plays UK next Tuesday on ESPN. That will be the first time I have watched Cooper in a game.

I am also interested in Duke's center Maluach.