Cooper Flagg Discussion Thread

[tontoz]

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.

When you are talking about "explosion", as me and GOBB were, vertical jump is a big part of that.

What set Westbrook apart was his motor and aggressiveness. That is a separate issue. VJ doesn't have that on offense. His motor is much better on D.

Iverson might be the most athletic guard ive seen.

[Im Still Ballin]

VJ's finishing at the rim is questionable, apparently. No touch, it seems.

[Carbine]

When you are talking about "explosion", as me and GOBB were, vertical jump is a big part of that.

What set Westbrook apart was his motor and aggressiveness. That is a separate issue. VJ doesn't have that on offense. His motor is much better on D.

Iverson might be the most athletic guard ive seen.

No, what separates Westbrook from being a role player was his ungodly explosiveness. He still has the same motor and aggressiveness (and low IQ) but he doesn't have that overpowering speed, quickness, stop and start ability like he did in his prime and we can see the results - he's essentially a role player now even though he's still a pretty good athlete.

[tontoz]

No, what separates Westbrook from being a role player was his ungodly explosiveness. He still has the same motor and aggressiveness (and low IQ) but he doesn't have that overpowering speed, quickness, stop and start ability like he did in his prime and we can see the results - he's essentially a role player now even though he's still a pretty good athlete.

That's just your perception. Speed, quickness and hops are measured at the combine. Motor isn't.

If Westbrook was exactly the same athletically when he was young but was more passive on offense then your perception of his athleticism would have been different.

[GOBB]

I stand corrected maybe VJ is Westbrook (same age)

https://youtu.be/xW6VP48fc-g?si=cOBuWOWbrbAk6LBk

Westbrook became way more explosive in the NBA. I can’t say for sure what season. Might check out rookie year 2 etc highlights. But at UCLA his athleticism is on par with what I’ve seen from VJ. Someone like Derrick rose had noticeable freak athletic ability in HS. Never saw Russell in HS. But at ucla it’s not the same. Russell really put in work because I always wondered why he went so high in the draft. I think his motor got him drafted. It’s something you have or don’t really. You can develop your game quicker I think if you have a really high motor. But Westbrook is also a dog. Those two things are huge imo.

[Im Still Ballin]

The combine does a pretty good job of capturing raw athleticism. One aspect it does miss, though, is jump quickness and two-foot vs. one-foot ability.

[tontoz]

Apparently Bailey's stock is falling. He is refusing workouts. Hopefully he falls to us.

https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/...628start%3D420

[Chick Stern]

No, what separates Westbrook from being a role player was his ungodly explosiveness. He still has the same motor and aggressiveness (and low IQ) but he doesn't have that overpowering speed, quickness, stop and start ability like he did in his prime and we can see the results - he's essentially a role player now even though he's still a pretty good athlete.

This. 100% Ja’s future.

[GOBB]

Apparently Bailey's stock is falling. He is refusing workouts. Hopefully he falls to us.

https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/...628start%3D420

What is with all the ace slander? I can’t think of a recent prospect that’s faced this much criticism.

[Meticode]

Apparently Bailey's stock is falling. He is refusing workouts. Hopefully he falls to us.

https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/...628start%3D420

Could be a combo of things. One, he doesn't want to go to the Hornets, Jazz, Wizards or Pelicans. Two, he's confident he'll be the #2 or #3 pick. Looks like he'll take his chances of getting drafted two or three, or falling out of the franchises he doesn't want to draft him.

[tontoz]

What is with all the ace slander? I can’t think of a recent prospect that’s faced this much criticism.

It was that way during the season too. He got off to a slow start, turning it over a lot/rarely getting assists/ taking bad shots. Some people went in on him and then wouldn't come off their takes when his play improved.

[GOBB]

Sixers refuted reports he’s not working out. He’s scheduled to come here end of week/

[Meticode]

Bailey cancelled his 76ers workout

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...head-nba-draft

[GOBB]

And just like that Ace Bailey canceled workouts Friday. I had to look up his agent. And of course it’s someone inexperienced. Although that’s kind of messed up to say. But the main point is whoever is guiding Ace in this whole process is doing a terrible job. Be it parents, agents, both whomever. Yikes.

[Carbine]

Or maybe it's a smart move. The money lost going from #3 to #8 isn't that much if the situation is MUCH better to become "the guy"

Philly can't give him the shots needed to be anything more than a third/fourth option at best.

If he forces his way to Nets he can take #2 and eventually #1 option shot attempts during his rookie contract, enabling him to get a bag for his second contract all while being "the man" for that team.