This is a thread to discuss all things related to the future face of the NBA once LeBron retires
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This is a thread to discuss all things related to the future face of the NBA once LeBron retires
Just signed a shoe deal with New Balance :applause:
[video=youtube_share;vwOPb5DAPyw]https://youtu.be/vwOPb5DAPyw?si=JO4A-yklBdjDTqIS[/video]
His jump shot looks robotic to me. The ball comes off with good arc, but I'm not sure about the touch. His defense/court sense/athleticism all look amazing though. I kind of feel like he may fall in the Aaron Gordon lane, where he's so impactful that he earns a huge deal, but is not able to be a #1 option offensively. We'll see.
[QUOTE=ralph_i_el;14939310]His jump shot looks robotic to me. The ball comes off with good arc, but I'm not sure about the touch. His defense/court sense/athleticism all look amazing though. I kind of feel like he may fall in the Aaron Gordon lane, where he's so impactful that he earns a huge deal, but is not able to be a #1 option offensively. We'll see.[/QUOTE]
He's 17 and already a all NBA level defender and has shown a level of defensive versatility we haven't seen since Andrei Kirerlenko
His overall basketball iq and feel for the game is WAY ahead of anyone in his age group, his jump shot needs work but I'm confident he can develop that within the next few years, he's already a decent free throw shooter
[QUOTE=Manny98;14939289]Just signed a shoe deal with New Balance :applause:
[video=youtube_share;vwOPb5DAPyw]https://youtu.be/vwOPb5DAPyw?si=JO4A-yklBdjDTqIS[/video][/QUOTE]
"The intelligent choice"
:lol :facepalm
:biggums:
No matter what it would be very good for american basketball with a white american superstar. The US has not had a lot of success producing white talent, which we all know shouldn't be like that consider how many great white players there used to be. If the US is to have any hope of winning future Olympics it must use all its talent.
[QUOTE=90sgoat;14939387]No matter what it would be very good for american basketball with a white american superstar. The US has not had a lot of success producing white talent, which we all know shouldn't be like that consider how many great white players there used to be. If the US is to have any hope of winning future Olympics it must use all its talent.[/QUOTE]
There might be some small percentage of basketball fans that care about a white dude being the best but not really.
Look at the jersey sales. There's nothing else to say. Anyone who argues otherwise is spitting into a headwind.
People just want to see and root for the best and that's it.
[QUOTE=Wardell Curry;14939405]There might be some small percentage of basketball fans that care about a white dude being the best but not really.
Look at the jersey sales. There's nothing else to say. Anyone who argues otherwise is spitting into a headwind.
People just want to see and root for the best and that's it.[/QUOTE]
People like drama and a good white american star will create so much salty drama.
[QUOTE=Manny98;14939326]He's 17 and already a all NBA level defender and has shown a level of defensive versatility we haven't seen since Andrei Kirerlenko
[/QUOTE]
:facepalm
[QUOTE=DJMcDonald;14939422]:facepalm[/QUOTE]
:oldlol:
He'll be a better Gordon Hayward
[QUOTE=Manny98;14939326]He's 17 and already a all NBA level defender and has shown a level of defensive versatility we haven't seen since Andrei Kirerlenko
His overall basketball iq and feel for the game is WAY ahead of anyone in his age group, his jump shot needs work but I'm confident he can develop that within the next few years, he's already a decent free throw shooter[/QUOTE]
Of course he will be an elite defender. That's not going to be enough with his hype. Shawn Marion had multiple 20ppg seasons. A slightly taller Shawn Marion with a marginally better jumper is a hall of fame player....but people will dwell on the superstar skills that he might not have. :confusedshrug: time will tell. I'm excited to see how it plays out.
[QUOTE=Lebron23;14939444]He'll be a better Gordon Hayward[/QUOTE]
Hayward early in his career got a ton of reps as a PnR ball-handler for Utah. It was sloppy initially, but it contributed highly to his development as a scorer and playmaker off the dribble. IDK if Flagg will get those reps. Who knows.
[QUOTE=DJMcDonald;14939422]:facepalm[/QUOTE]
You have never seen him play so stfu you Korean shit,
In b4 3ball starts hating on him.
[QUOTE=ralph_i_el;14939451]Hayward early in his career got a ton of reps as a PnR ball-handler for Utah. It was sloppy initially, but it contributed highly to his development as a scorer and playmaker off the dribble. IDK if Flagg will get those reps. Who knows.[/QUOTE]
Will he have an elite screener and roller alongside him like hayward did.
Cooper is WAY better defensively than Hayward and is way better of a playmaker and off ball scorer already
Cooper is a generational talent who's floor is Andrei Kirerlenko with slightly better offense and has GOAT ceiling
He's the most talented prospect since LeBron in my opinion and the most talented white prospect ever
[QUOTE=Manny98;14939467]Cooper is WAY better defensively than Hayward and is way better of a playmaker and off ball scorer already
Cooper is a generational talent who's floor is Andrei Kirerlenko with slightly better offense and has GOAT ceiling
He's the most talented prospect since LeBron in my opinion and the most talented white prospect ever[/QUOTE]
You're jumping the gun a little bit buddy calling a 17 year old the GOAT. Catching Jokic alone is going to be borderline impossible.
Not saying he is gonna bust, but this reminds me of a poster who was a huge OJ Mayo fan when he was in high school, had his username named after him and everything.
Mayo was the most hyped up high school player since LeBron, we know how that turned out.
[QUOTE=tpols;14939470]You're jumping the gun a little bit buddy calling a 17 year old the GOAT. Catching Jokic alone is going to be borderline impossible.[/QUOTE]
No his ceiling is GOAT if he lives up to his full potential
[QUOTE=1987_Lakers;14939472]Not saying he is gonna bust, but this reminds me of a poster who was a huge OJ Mayo fan when he was in high school, had his username named after him and everything.
Mayo was the most hyped up high school player since LeBron, we know how that turned out.[/QUOTE]
OJ Mayo was an overhyped prospect who had no substance to back it up
Cooper has already dominated against NBA pros in the US select scrimmages
[video=youtube_share;ASoYfJMmBF8]https://youtu.be/ASoYfJMmBF8?si=gD95ykUa0zPAvPHw[/video]
[QUOTE=1987_Lakers;14939472]Not saying he is gonna bust, but this reminds me of a poster who was a huge OJ Mayo fan when he was in high school, had his username named after him and everything.
Mayo was the most hyped up high school player since LeBron, we know how that turned out.[/QUOTE]
There are a lot of guys like that. Ben Simmons and Andrew Wiggins were supposed to be slam dunk superstar picks.
[IMG]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVmggl6UYAEIfxi.jpg:large[/IMG]
i will wait until i see him in college before making any projections. Looks like he has good size/athleticism/handles but not a lot of rotation on his jumper.
[QUOTE=1987_Lakers;14939491][IMG]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVmggl6UYAEIfxi.jpg:large[/IMG][/QUOTE]
Like I said overhyped by the media
Flagg is different he actually has shown levels of talent we have not seen in a prospect for the past 25 years
Better pray he doesn't become injury-prone once he starts playing in the league these coming few years.
[QUOTE=Manny98;14939456]You have never seen him play so stfu you Korean shit,[/QUOTE]
You found out who AK47 was last week:roll:
[QUOTE=DJMcDonald;14939519]You found out who AK47 was last week:roll:[/QUOTE]
:oldlol:
[QUOTE=90sgoat;14939386]"The intelligent choice"
:lol :facepalm
:biggums:[/QUOTE]
It’s NB’s slogan
[QUOTE=90sgoat;14939387]No matter what it would be very good for american basketball with a white american superstar. The US has not had a lot of success producing white talent, which we all know shouldn't be like that consider how many great white players there used to be. If the US is to have any hope of winning future Olympics it must use all its talent.[/QUOTE]
The American basketball developmental system is racist and fetishizes certain attributes in players that doesn’t lend itself to white American players really getting the same level of opportunity to develop like overseas products like Jokic and Luka etc. white American players have way more obstacles to overcome
[QUOTE=Manny98;14939495]Like I said overhyped by the media
Flagg is different he actually has shown levels of talent we have not seen in a prospect for the past 25 years[/QUOTE]
I look at him, and then look at AJ Dybantsa. Dybantsa looks like an 1st option scorer, Flagg sometimes does not. That's all:confusedshrug:
[QUOTE=Manny98;14939495]Like I said overhyped by the media
Flagg is different he actually has shown levels of talent we have not seen in a prospect for the past 25 years[/QUOTE]
Harold Miner
Isiah Rider
Jerry Stackhose
I think they stopped after that and overlooked the real next MJ, Kobe and the next real other superstar, Allen Iverson.
Don't look for the next Lebron, look for the next themselves.
Good breakdown video of his game for those who are not familiar
[video=youtube_share;SKMtlv3DjfE]https://youtu.be/SKMtlv3DjfE?si=mrsFMmePEjZhlaig[/video]
He's an all nba level defender at the age of 17 and has good upside offensively
I think Cooper Flagg is going to be the white Kevin Garnett.
It's not a 1 to 1 in play style, but the combination of insane athleticism and length, open floor ability and versatility is very similar.
Coop is going to be the same kind of player, the ultimate help defender, the ultimate second option of offense, exactly like Garnett.
AD is another good comparison, but Coop seems to be more of a big SF than a PF/C like AD.
Clifford Robinson type.
[QUOTE=90sgoat;14945274]I think Cooper Flagg is going to be the white Kevin Garnett.
It's not a 1 to 1 in play style, but the combination of insane athleticism and length, open floor ability and versatility is very similar.
Coop is going to be the same kind of player, the ultimate help defender, the ultimate second option of offense, exactly like Garnett.
AD is another good comparison, but Coop seems to be more of a big SF than a PF/C like AD.
Clifford Robinson type.[/QUOTE]
If hes actually as long as KG then I could see this comparison making sense. My guess would be hes not but I could be wrong.
I wish the NBA posted definitive measurements people could actually take seriously. But alas...
New video from No Ceilings breaking down Cooper Flagg's game:
[video=youtube;2aY7jYXqF_I]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aY7jYXqF_I[/video]
[QUOTE=90sgoat;14945274]I think Cooper Flagg is going to be the white Kevin Garnett.
It's not a 1 to 1 in play style, but the combination of insane athleticism and length, open floor ability and versatility is very similar.
Coop is going to be the same kind of player, the ultimate help defender, the ultimate second option of offense, exactly like Garnett.
AD is another good comparison, but Coop seems to be more of a big SF than a PF/C like AD.
Clifford Robinson type.[/QUOTE]
I agree with the general archetype sentiment.
Some interesting comparisons:
- Wing-sized young Anthony Davis
- Marion/KG mix
- Wing-sized KG
- AK47 with on-ball upside (shooting, ball handling, etc)
- Marion with on-ball upside (shooting, ball handling, etc)
- Tatum on offense; AK47 on defense
- Tatum/AK47 mix
- High IQ Josh Smith with on-ball upside (shooting, ball handling, etc)
- Longer, more athletic Shane Battier with on-ball upside (shooting, ball handling, etc)
[QUOTE=Neal Romer;14945281]If hes actually as long as KG then I could see this comparison making sense. My guess would be hes not but I could be wrong.
I wish the NBA posted definitive measurements people could actually take seriously. But alas...[/QUOTE]
They made it mandatory for draftees to take part in the NBA Combine. It's why we got measurements from everyone this year. Who knows what Cooper's numbers will look like? My safe estimates:
- 6'7" to 6'8" barefoot height
- 6'8.25" to 6'9.25" height in shoes
- 7'0" to 7'3" wingspan
- 8'11" to 9'2" standing reach
- 210 to 215 pounds
- 30" to 35" standing vertical leap
- 35" to 40" max vertical leap
- 11'10" to 12'6" max reach
Back in 2014, Jokic measured in at 6'11" in shoes, a 7'3" wingspan, and a 9'3" standing reach. Nikola's bodily proportions (relative limb length, hand size, and clavicle width) look similar to Cooper's. Easier to see when Jokic was at a lower body weight.
I wouldn't be surprised if he measures in at a 2" smaller version of that: 6'9" in shoes, 7'1" wingspan, 9'1" standing reach.
I don't need to watch a lot to see that Coop is extremely long and athletic.
He's also taller than you think, my guess is 6'9'' barefoot and 6'10'' in shoes.
Weight: 230lbs.
This guy is a lot more athletic than people think. He has a similar build to Dirk Nowitsky except more athletic.
[QUOTE=90sgoat;14945274]I think Cooper Flagg is going to be the white Kevin Garnett.
It's not a 1 to 1 in play style, but the combination of insane athleticism and length, open floor ability and versatility is very similar.
Coop is going to be the same kind of player, the ultimate help defender, the ultimate second option of offense, exactly like Garnett.
AD is another good comparison, but Coop seems to be more of a big SF than a PF/C like AD.
Clifford Robinson type.[/QUOTE]
I like the "White Kevin Garnett" comparison
I can see him putting up around 24/10/6 in his prime winning multiple dpoy awards
[QUOTE=90sgoat;14945334]I don't need to watch a lot to see that Coop is extremely long and athletic.
He's also taller than you think, my guess is 6'9'' barefoot and 6'10'' in shoes.
Weight: 230lbs.
This guy is a lot more athletic than people think. He has a similar build to Dirk Nowitsky except more athletic.[/QUOTE]
I think 6'9" barefoot is probably pushing it per his photos with 6'8" barefoot Jayson Tatum and 6'7.25" LeBron James:
[img]https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2160629898/photo/las-vegas-nv-chip-engelland-jayson-tatum-of-the-usab-mens-team-cooper-flagg-of-the-usab-mens.jpg?s=612x612&w=gi&k=20&c=8MArazMFhaNktmFAo19nYrdPO83JIVCMLbSKUmX9CyI=[/img]
[img]https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2160615534/photo/las-vegas-nv-cooper-flagg-of-the-usab-mens-selects-team-greets-lebron-james-of-the-usab-mens.jpg?s=612x612&w=gi&k=20&c=6a8NiZMKeRNmHB6zRaAJ7DtpJXhm2xPZvCYP2OH45X0=[/img]
[QUOTE=Im Still Ballin;14945349]I think 6'9" barefoot is probably pushing it per his photos with 6'8" barefoot Jayson Tatum and 6'7.25" LeBron James:
[img]https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2160629898/photo/las-vegas-nv-chip-engelland-jayson-tatum-of-the-usab-mens-team-cooper-flagg-of-the-usab-mens.jpg?s=612x612&w=gi&k=20&c=8MArazMFhaNktmFAo19nYrdPO83JIVCMLbSKUmX9CyI=[/img]
[img]https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2160615534/photo/las-vegas-nv-cooper-flagg-of-the-usab-mens-selects-team-greets-lebron-james-of-the-usab-mens.jpg?s=612x612&w=gi&k=20&c=6a8NiZMKeRNmHB6zRaAJ7DtpJXhm2xPZvCYP2OH45X0=[/img][/QUOTE]
[IMG]https://www.sportsknot.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/jpeg-optimizer_81863047.0.jpg[/IMG]
I know pics are never precise but Flagg's shoulders look about a half inch to an inch higher than Bron's. KG's are like 3 inches higher at least. Plus the arm itself is probably longer.
I agree KG is probably the best comparison for who Flagg played like in high school. But hes not gonna have that length advantage at the NBA level unless hes still growing. So I dont see him being a major paint protector as a pro.
Hard to see anyone else getting multiple DPoY awards in what is going to be the Wembanyama era. Flagg seems like he will be very good, possibly even great, but Wembanyama distorts the game with his length and agility. If his coaches can get him to stop shooting threes or he becomes good at shooting threes I don't see how Flagg is ever a better player than him but Flagg could be a perennial top 10 or top 5 guy, which should still be a great career.