Cooper Flagg Discussion Thread

[GOBB]

Outside of size why is Andre Igoudala comparison never used? Skillset seems similar

[Im Still Ballin]

Outside of size why is Andre Igoudala comparison never used? Skillset seems similar

ESPN made the comparison the other day:

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...s-cooper-flagg

1. Cooper Flagg, SF/PF, Duke
Mock draft projection: No. 1 to Mavericks | Top 100: No. 1

High end: Jayson Tatum with more defense
Low end: Andre Iguodala with more offense

Flagg is the consensus No. 1 pick for good reason: Statistically and empirically speaking, he's on a trajectory to become one of the top wings in the NBA. The question that has been asked all season, including by NBA executives, has been about what type of heights Flagg will reach. His well-rounded offense and stellar defense give him incredible baseline versatility for an 18-year-old entering the league, something the Mavericks should be able to exploit to their advantage next season. Some around the league have likened him to a modern Scottie Pippen, while Flagg himself has said he patterns his game after Tatum, who is his favorite player.

If Flagg continues to make strides creating his own shot -- where he has flashed comfort level in the midrange but needs refinement -- the possibility of a Tatum-like scoring leap is on the table. He has improved that facet of his game over the past couple of years, becoming more comfortable from long range and leaving room for optimism that he'll grow comfortable improvising and operating off the bounce. If he doesn't evolve into a legitimate No. 1 option, he might settle best as a second star alongside a more scoring-oriented teammate.

While Flagg figures to offer more offensively than Iguodala, who never topped the 20-point-per-game mark in his career, that comparison illustrates the ways he might add value apart from putting the ball in the basket by himself. As is the case with most of these comparisons, the likely outcome is often somewhere in the middle. In his case, the range of possibilities is more exciting than anxiety-inducing for NBA evaluators.

[GOBB]

Finally someone has. Lol

[Meticode]

I think he'll fall somewhere in the middle. I don't think he'll ever been a MVP candidate like many people predict. I think he'll make three to six all-star teams and end up being a good secondary scorer. Similar to a Paul George or a notch below him before his MVP-type second with OKC.

[90sgoat]

I can sort of see the comparison with Tatum based on playstyle, but I don't think he'll end up being that passive.

[GOBB]

What does everyone think about VJ Edgecombe, Tre Johnson and Kon Pumpernickle

[tontoz]

What does everyone think about VJ Edgecombe, Tre Johnson and Kon Pumpernickle

VJ is a very good defender. Not sure what to make of him on offense. I didn't see much shot creation from him. Every now and then he would have a nice move and i would think why doesn't he do that more often? I wonder if he was just a freshman deferring to upper classmen. Most of his 3s were catch and shoot. Didn't see step backs or any move to clear space before shooting. He was pretty passive in general but would randomly get aggressive and produce. Wasn't a great finisher inside which i thought was odd given how athletic he is. Measured 6'4 w/o shoes which helped his stock. I thought he was shorter.

Tre has every jumper in the bag. If you've seen it from other guys he has it and took it several times. Elite movement shooter off the catch who can also create off the dribble. Not an elite athlete which limits him taking it to the rim. Pretty good playmaker. He has the clutch gene.

Kon i see as a nice glue guy to have playing with other stars. I think his reputation as a shooter is greater than the reality because he can't shoot off the dribble, or didn't do it well at Duke. Smart player, decent playmaker but i think he is overrated.

[GOBB]

VJ is a very good defender. Not sure what to make of him on offense. I didn't see much shot creation from him. Every now and then he would have a nice move and i would think why doesn't he do that more often? I wonder if he was just a freshman deferring to upper classmen. Most of his 3s were catch and shoot. Didn't see step backs or any move to clear space before shooting. He was pretty passive in general but would randomly get aggressive and produce. Wasn't a great finisher inside which i thought was odd given how athletic he is. Measured 6'4 w/o shoes which helped his stock. I thought he was shorter.

Tre has every jumper in the bag. If you've seen it from other guys he has it and took it several times. Elite movement shooter off the catch who can also create off the dribble. Not an elite athlete which limits him taking it to the rim. Pretty good playmaker. He has the clutch gene.

Kon i see as a nice glue guy to have playing with other stars. I think his reputation as a shooter is greater than the reality because he can't shoot off the dribble, or didn't do it well at Duke. Smart player, decent playmaker but i think he is overrated.

I don’t know what to make of VJ. Few folks comparing him to Westbrook but I dont see it. Westbrook just seemed like he’s always been aggressive and explosive as hell with the ball. VJ? Not so much from highlights I’ve seen. I like Tre Johnson over them all. And if it came down to him and Ace at pick 3. And Sixers went Tre I’m not mad.

[tontoz]

VJ has explosiveness like Westbrook, but not the relentless attack mode on offense. Better in D though.

Tre will probably be the best early on. Apparently he worked so hard that the coaches had to monitor his practice time to make sure he didn't work too hard.

[GOBB]

VJ has explosiveness like Westbrook, but not the relentless attack mode on offense. Better in D though.

Tre will probably be the best early on. Apparently he worked so hard that the coaches had to monitor his practice time to make sure he didn't work too hard.

Yeah the relentless attack on offense is probably what I’m referring too when I compare them.


Sixers being reported on trading up 1 spot with Spurs. Smh oh boy

[Carbine]

VJ definitely DOES NOT have explosiveness like Westbrook.

Westbrook when he was young had MJ level, potentially higher explosive traits. First step, stopping on an absolute dime, quickness off the floor, coast to coast speed. Westbrook was truly one of the top ten goats in terms of explosive athletic traits when he was younger.

VJ is so far from that caliber of athlete it's not even a discussion. It's so far from the truth I have to question wtf you are looking at.

[tontoz]

VJ definitely DOES NOT have explosiveness like Westbrook.

Westbrook when he was young had MJ level, potentially higher explosive traits. First step, stopping on an absolute dime, quickness off the floor, coast to coast speed. Westbrook was truly one of the top ten goats in terms of explosive athletic traits when he was younger.

VJ is so far from that caliber of athlete it's not even a discussion. It's so far from the truth I have to question wtf you are looking at.

At the combine Westbrook had a 36.5" max vert, 2" less than VJ

https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/comb...rength-agility

[ShawkFactory]

VJ definitely DOES NOT have explosiveness like Westbrook.

Westbrook when he was young had MJ level, potentially higher explosive traits. First step, stopping on an absolute dime, quickness off the floor, coast to coast speed. Westbrook was truly one of the top ten goats in terms of explosive athletic traits when he was younger.

VJ is so far from that caliber of athlete it's not even a discussion. It's so far from the truth I have to question wtf you are looking at.

VJ is certainly in the ballpark. He's only 19.

At 21 I think we'll see one of the most athletic people in the NBA.

[Carbine]

At the combine Westbrook had a 36.5" max vert, 2" less than VJ

https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/comb...rength-agility

And Tyler Hansbourough was a better combine athlete than Amare Stoudemire. A lot, ALOT of guards in the history of the combine have put up better combine numbers than Westbrook. It doesn't mean much of anything.

Just watch them play. Use your eyes. VJ not anywhere close to Goat level athletic ability from a guards perspective.

[Carbine]

He's not in the ballpark of goat athletic guard. Absolutely not. What the **** are you guys watching?