Those who have watched Flagg play who would you say is the best NBA comp?
Scottie Pippen?

His offensive game (shot selection and preferred places to get the ball) remind me of college Carmelo Anthony, but Flagg is a much better facilitator than Carmelo ever was.

Jayson Tatum but not as good offensively, but better defensively.

Head Ninja In Charge said:

---

Jayson Tatum but not as good offensively, but better defensively.

---

This is what I have.

Head Ninja In Charge said:

---

Jayson Tatum but not as good offensively, but better defensively.

---

High praise!

I don't watch college basketball, so this is perking my ears up like crazy. Tatum is a top 5-7 guy for several years to come.

Obi Wan Ginobili said:

---

Head Ninja In Charge said:

---

Jayson Tatum but not as good offensively, but better defensively.

---

High praise!

I don't watch college basketball, so this is perking my ears up like crazy. Tatum is a top 5-7 guy for several years to come.

---

He's on a really talented Duke team that is expected to have three top ten picks, including a wing and the top rim protector on the board in 7'2 Sudanese center Malauch.

Cooper Flagg leads all Duke players in all five traditional stat categories. Points, assists, rebounds, steals, and blocks and is putting up 49/38/82 shooting splits.

Also he is just 18 and should be a HS senior. He skipped a grade.

JP_Losman said:

---

Those who have watched Flagg play who would you say is the best NBA comp?
Scottie Pippen?

---

This was my take in the previous Flagg thread:

He'll be an impact defensive player from day 1 and will be a multi year DPOY candidate, but how high his ceiling is will be determined by his offense. He doesn't really have any dominant offensive skills. His handle is pretty average and his ability to create his own shot seems to come and go. He can make any pass a player is supposed to make, but he's not a Luka/Jokic level creator for others. He's far more dangerous in a transition offense than playing against a set defense. And his 3pt shot looks weird and he's not comfortable taking them.

Don't get me wrong, non of these things means he won't be GREAT, but to be the BEST IN THE WORLD with his current offensive "bag", he's gonna have to become the most physical post player in the league (a la Giannis or Shaq). If his offensive skill improves, then the sky is the limit. But right now he's basically a rich man's Pascal Siakam or a poor man's KG.

M.C. Swag said:

---

JP_Losman said:

---

Those who have watched Flagg play who would you say is the best NBA comp?
Scottie Pippen?

---

This was my take in the previous Flagg thread:

He'll be an impact defensive player from day 1 and will be a multi year DPOY candidate, but how high his ceiling is will be determined by his offense. He doesn't really have any dominant offensive skills. His handle is pretty average and his ability to create his own shot seems to come and go. He can make any pass a player is supposed to make, but he's not a Luka/Jokic level creator for others. He's far more dangerous in a transition offense than playing against a set defense. And his 3pt shot looks weird and he's not comfortable taking them.

Don't get me wrong, non of these things means he won't be GREAT, but to be the BEST IN THE WORLD with his current offensive "bag", he's gonna have to become the most physical post player in the league (a la Giannis or Shaq). If his offensive skill improves, then the sky is the limit. But right now he's basically a rich man's Pascal Siakam or a poor man's KG.

---

I agree with this take, when I watch him, I don't see MVP level talent right now. He could always add new dimensions to his game, but I see high level starter to multi-time all star, not generational skills.

I hate to play the race card, but some team is going to go all-in on him as the Great White Hope, and you can bet the NBA will as well.. Who's the best American-born white guy in the NBA right now? Tyler Herro? Chet Holmgren? Feels like the Jazz should try to not win another game this year to get him over there.

Head Ninja In Charge said:

---

Jayson Tatum but not as good offensively, but better defensively.

---

Also better playmaker than Tatum was until the last 2 years.

Larry Bidd!

M.C. Swag said:

---

JP_Losman said:

---

Those who have watched Flagg play who would you say is the best NBA comp?
Scottie Pippen?

---

This was my take in the previous Flagg thread:

He'll be an impact defensive player from day 1 and will be a multi year DPOY candidate, but how high his ceiling is will be determined by his offense. He doesn't really have any dominant offensive skills. His handle is pretty average and his ability to create his own shot seems to come and go. He can make any pass a player is supposed to make, but he's not a Luka/Jokic level creator for others. He's far more dangerous in a transition offense than playing against a set defense. And his 3pt shot looks weird and he's not comfortable taking them.

Don't get me wrong, non of these things means he won't be GREAT, but to be the BEST IN THE WORLD with his current offensive "bag", he's gonna have to become the most physical post player in the league (a la Giannis or Shaq). If his offensive skill improves, then the sky is the limit. But right now he's basically a rich man's Pascal Siakam or a poor man's KG.

---

Agree with this. I think his floor is very high but his ceiling is not that high. I can easily see him
Being an all star or a very high caliber player. His offensive game is not good enough to be an all nba type player or mvp candidate in in my opinion.

I would compare him to better versions of Andre iguadola, Shawn Marion or draymond green. I think he's likely better than them (at least on offense) but those are the types of players I think of.

Bad comps

Keith Van Horn
Danny Ferry

Good comps

Jaren Jackson
Domantas Sabonis
Franz Wagner
Siakam

Does everything well, but nothing great. Except his motor is pretty elite... he plays really hard. It is obvious he LOVES playing BBall.

Historically players who do everything well but don't have an elite skill struggle in the NBA. I think Flagg's work ethic is his elite skill. He is bigger than his comp in MCBB, but they will all be his size and have his athleticism in the NBA. He isn't just going over NBA defenders. He doesn't shoot terribly, but it isn't great. He handles OK, he defends fine, he passes fine. Everything is good but I can't point at any skill and say he is great at it. Except his motor. Plays hard every minute. Seems to be better when the stage gets big.


Obviously he is the top dog this draft but if I were the GM I would be a little scared taking him. Can he run the motor at that level for 100 games a year? If so he will be pretty dang good but that is a lot of effort and he has already been playing a LOT of basketball for a long time. What happens as he ages and puts on 30 pounds? Will he still be athletic or does he devolve into a spot up shooter, 3 and d guy? Can you really build a team around this guy?

Current players - maybe Franz Wagner w/ the Magic?

He came in playing that connector role then after a few seasons, due to injuries, he got put in the #1 spot and did pretty well.

I would be shocked if Flagg isn't better than Franz Wagner by year 2 or 3. If he isn't, teams will be kicking themselves for picking him over Ace Bailey or Dylan Harper

I mean, he's putting up 25 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.3 steals a game while averaging 46.9% from the floor. And he's only in his fourth season and this has been the first where he's really ever been called on to be "the guy".

If that is the floor for a #1 pick that people say "doesn't have an elite skill to fall back on" I don't think that is too bad.

I actually really like the Shawn Marion comp here. Marion was never a great shooter, but could have a game where he did shoot it well. He played hard, he defended and he made the teams he was on better by doing things around the edges.

Now the question is, as other posters have brought up, are you happy with getting Shawn Marion if you take him #1? On one hand, I kind of think that's the floor for him, so that's a pretty comforting floor to get a player who helps you win and does things to make your team better. On the other hand, if you are in a position to draft #1 you need an alpha dog, not Shawn Marion. Marion is the piece you add when you already have the alpha dog on your team. So for like the Spurs, Flagg would be great because he can be that elite sidekick to Wemby and Fox.

If I had the #1 pick this year, I'd be tempted to try and deal it to move back to #2 or #3, take either Bailey or Harper and hopefully pick up an unprotected first from someone like the Spurs who might be motivated to get someone like Flagg because they think he is the right piece to finish out their core.

(ETA) I still also stand beside my Melo comparison as well just because of the way Flagg likes to score. He's got a bit of bully ball in him on getting to his spots and likes to take 10-12 foot twos right now. If you look at Melo's age 29 season with the Knicks, that's kind of what I see peak Flagg being in the best case scenario. Melo went 45/40/85 shooting, 28 ppg, 8 rpg and 3 apg. Flagg would likely be more like a 5-6 apg guy in the league though. But I could see Flagg absolutely punishing teams that switch guards on him as long as he tightens up his handle.

AggieEP said:

---

I actually really like the Shawn Marion comp here. Marion was never a great shooter, but could have a game where he did shoot it well. He played hard, he defended and he made the teams he was on better by doing things around the edges.

Now the question is, as other posters have brought up, are you happy with getting Shawn Marion if you take him #1? On one hand, I kind of think that's the floor for him, so that's a pretty comforting floor to get a player who helps you win and does things to make your team better. On the other hand, if you are in a position to draft #1 you need an alpha dog, not Shawn Marion. Marion is the piece you add when you already have the alpha dog on your team. So for like the Spurs, Flagg would be great because he can be that elite sidekick to Wemby and Fox.

---

I think the Marion comp is fine, but I think that Flagg will be a better offensive player and a better defensive player. Marion put up some numbers, but he also got destroyed in the playoffs and couldn't do anything like in the 05 WCF vs the Spurs. Marion was really effective as a role player, but less effective with a bigger role, but I don't think that the same will be true with Cooper Flagg, and part of that will be that Cooper has a much better shot. Flagg is shooting 50/38/83 with 20ppg for Duke this year.

Marion's unique thing was that he was so strong for his position that he could play up or down. Flagg won't have that type of strength ever. Marion also wasn't a very good passer, but Flagg is great and leads Duke in assists (and points, blocks, steals, and rebounds.)

Quote:

---

If I had the #1 pick this year, I'd be tempted to try and deal it to move back to #2 or #3, take either Bailey or Harper and hopefully pick up an unprotected first from someone like the Spurs who might be motivated to get someone like Flagg because they think he is the right piece to finish out their core.

---

Not a chance. Flagg is just too good at everything. Scoring, shooting, defense, passing, rebounding. Harper is a great prospect, but Flagg is putting up better stats across the board and I think has a higher upside. Flagg 's numbers are better than Harper's on FG%, 3FG%, FT%, points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, fouls, and turnovers. That's pretty crazy.

Ace Bailey has great size and is a very good scorer, but I don't think he will be near the defender that Flagg will be and he sure won't be the passer that Flagg already is. I think Ace Bailey is going to be more like Melo with better range. But that is way more questionable on team fit than someone like Flagg that plays well on and off ball. Ace doesn't pass as well and really likes to work in isolation, and I think that is very similar to Carmelo.

Quote:

---

(ETA) I still also stand beside my Melo comparison as well just because of the way Flagg likes to score. He's got a bit of bully ball in him on getting to his spots and likes to take 10-12 foot twos right now. If you look at Melo's age 29 season with the Knicks, that's kind of what I see peak Flagg being in the best case scenario. Melo went 45/40/85 shooting, 28 ppg, 8 rpg and 3 apg. Flagg would likely be more like a 5-6 apg guy in the league though. But I could see Flagg absolutely punishing teams that switch guards on him as long as he tightens up his handle.

---

I think this is more Ace Bailey than Flagg. I think Flagg will be much more a team player that can just work from anywhere, and with his passing and creation, he can be a hub player like Tatum. But I think he can be effective in a variety of roles.

I just see Melo (and Bailey) as more of a high level individual player that is your number 1 guy on a lot of mediocre teams. That's what Melo was. That age 29 season you mention was a 37 win non-playoff Knicks team in an awful East (only two 50-win teams.)

Guitarsoup said:

---

AggieEP said:

---

I actually really like the Shawn Marion comp here. Marion was never a great shooter, but could have a game where he did shoot it well. He played hard, he defended and he made the teams he was on better by doing things around the edges.

Now the question is, as other posters have brought up, are you happy with getting Shawn Marion if you take him #1? On one hand, I kind of think that's the floor for him, so that's a pretty comforting floor to get a player who helps you win and does things to make your team better. On the other hand, if you are in a position to draft #1 you need an alpha dog, not Shawn Marion. Marion is the piece you add when you already have the alpha dog on your team. So for like the Spurs, Flagg would be great because he can be that elite sidekick to Wemby and Fox.

---

I think the Marion comp is fine, but I think that Flagg will be a better offensive player and a better defensive player. Marion put up some numbers, but he also got destroyed in the playoffs and couldn't do anything like in the 05 WCF vs the Spurs. Marion was really effective as a role player, but less effective with a bigger role, but I don't think that the same will be true with Cooper Flagg, and part of that will be that Cooper has a much better shot. Flagg is shooting 50/38/83 with 20ppg for Duke this year.

Marion's unique thing was that he was so strong for his position that he could play up or down. Flagg won't have that type of strength ever. Marion also wasn't a very good passer, but Flagg is great and leads Duke in assists (and points, blocks, steals, and rebounds.)

Quote:

---

If I had the #1 pick this year, I'd be tempted to try and deal it to move back to #2 or #3, take either Bailey or Harper and hopefully pick up an unprotected first from someone like the Spurs who might be motivated to get someone like Flagg because they think he is the right piece to finish out their core.

---

Not a chance. Flagg is just too good at everything. Scoring, shooting, defense, passing, rebounding. Harper is a great prospect, but Flagg is putting up better stats across the board and I think has a higher upside. Flagg 's numbers are better than Harper's on FG%, 3FG%, FT%, points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, fouls, and turnovers. That's pretty crazy.

Ace Bailey has great size and is a very good scorer, but I don't think he will be near the defender that Flagg will be and he sure won't be the passer that Flagg already is. I think Ace Bailey is going to be more like Melo with better range. But that is way more questionable on team fit than someone like Flagg that plays well on and off ball. Ace doesn't pass as well and really likes to work in isolation, and I think that is very similar to Carmelo.

Quote:

---

(ETA) I still also stand beside my Melo comparison as well just because of the way Flagg likes to score. He's got a bit of bully ball in him on getting to his spots and likes to take 10-12 foot twos right now. If you look at Melo's age 29 season with the Knicks, that's kind of what I see peak Flagg being in the best case scenario. Melo went 45/40/85 shooting, 28 ppg, 8 rpg and 3 apg. Flagg would likely be more like a 5-6 apg guy in the league though. But I could see Flagg absolutely punishing teams that switch guards on him as long as he tightens up his handle.

---

I think this is more Ace Bailey than Flagg. I think Flagg will be much more a team player that can just work from anywhere, and with his passing and creation, he can be a hub player like Tatum. But I think he can be effective in a variety of roles.

I just see Melo (and Bailey) as more of a high level individual player that is your number 1 guy on a lot of mediocre teams. That's what Melo was. That age 29 season you mention was a 37 win non-playoff Knicks team in an awful East (only two 50-win teams.)

---

Flagg has also been a turnover machine at points, and I worry that putting a strong defender on him makes him a good player and not a star. He's had a 7 turnover game, a 6 turnover game and a 5 turnover game, in addition to the games against Kansas and Kentucky where he had egregious turnovers in crunch time that sealed those losses. Obviously he'll grow and learn how to value the ball better, but it's still at least partially worrisome.

I think Flagg is going to be awesome, but I legitimately doubt his ceiling is generational talent kind of player. We remember Melo's career as mostly disappointing, but I think that's because he played the Alpha when in reality he would have been an awesome #2 if he'd ever been in the right situation. Flagg in the right situation (sidekick) might win multiple championships. Flagg having to be the main Alpha... I think those are 40-45 win teams.

AggieEP said:

---

Guitarsoup said:

---

AggieEP said:

---

I actually really like the Shawn Marion comp here. Marion was never a great shooter, but could have a game where he did shoot it well. He played hard, he defended and he made the teams he was on better by doing things around the edges.

Now the question is, as other posters have brought up, are you happy with getting Shawn Marion if you take him #1? On one hand, I kind of think that's the floor for him, so that's a pretty comforting floor to get a player who helps you win and does things to make your team better. On the other hand, if you are in a position to draft #1 you need an alpha dog, not Shawn Marion. Marion is the piece you add when you already have the alpha dog on your team. So for like the Spurs, Flagg would be great because he can be that elite sidekick to Wemby and Fox.

---

I think the Marion comp is fine, but I think that Flagg will be a better offensive player and a better defensive player. Marion put up some numbers, but he also got destroyed in the playoffs and couldn't do anything like in the 05 WCF vs the Spurs. Marion was really effective as a role player, but less effective with a bigger role, but I don't think that the same will be true with Cooper Flagg, and part of that will be that Cooper has a much better shot. Flagg is shooting 50/38/83 with 20ppg for Duke this year.

Marion's unique thing was that he was so strong for his position that he could play up or down. Flagg won't have that type of strength ever. Marion also wasn't a very good passer, but Flagg is great and leads Duke in assists (and points, blocks, steals, and rebounds.)

Quote:

---

If I had the #1 pick this year, I'd be tempted to try and deal it to move back to #2 or #3, take either Bailey or Harper and hopefully pick up an unprotected first from someone like the Spurs who might be motivated to get someone like Flagg because they think he is the right piece to finish out their core.

---

Not a chance. Flagg is just too good at everything. Scoring, shooting, defense, passing, rebounding. Harper is a great prospect, but Flagg is putting up better stats across the board and I think has a higher upside. Flagg 's numbers are better than Harper's on FG%, 3FG%, FT%, points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, fouls, and turnovers. That's pretty crazy.

Ace Bailey has great size and is a very good scorer, but I don't think he will be near the defender that Flagg will be and he sure won't be the passer that Flagg already is. I think Ace Bailey is going to be more like Melo with better range. But that is way more questionable on team fit than someone like Flagg that plays well on and off ball. Ace doesn't pass as well and really likes to work in isolation, and I think that is very similar to Carmelo.

Quote:

---

(ETA) I still also stand beside my Melo comparison as well just because of the way Flagg likes to score. He's got a bit of bully ball in him on getting to his spots and likes to take 10-12 foot twos right now. If you look at Melo's age 29 season with the Knicks, that's kind of what I see peak Flagg being in the best case scenario. Melo went 45/40/85 shooting, 28 ppg, 8 rpg and 3 apg. Flagg would likely be more like a 5-6 apg guy in the league though. But I could see Flagg absolutely punishing teams that switch guards on him as long as he tightens up his handle.

---

I think this is more Ace Bailey than Flagg. I think Flagg will be much more a team player that can just work from anywhere, and with his passing and creation, he can be a hub player like Tatum. But I think he can be effective in a variety of roles.

I just see Melo (and Bailey) as more of a high level individual player that is your number 1 guy on a lot of mediocre teams. That's what Melo was. That age 29 season you mention was a 37 win non-playoff Knicks team in an awful East (only two 50-win teams.)

---

Flagg has also been a turnover machine at points, and I worry that putting a strong defender on him makes him a good player and not a star. He's had a 7 turnover game, a 6 turnover game and a 5 turnover game, in addition to the games against Kansas and Kentucky where he had egregious turnovers in crunch time that sealed those losses. Obviously he'll grow and learn how to value the ball better, but it's still at least partially worrisome.

I think Flagg is going to be awesome, but I legitimately doubt his ceiling is generational talent kind of player. We remember Melo's career as mostly disappointing, but I think that's because he played the Alpha when in reality he would have been an awesome #2 if he'd ever been in the right situation. Flagg in the right situation (sidekick) might win multiple championships. Flagg having to be the main Alpha... I think those are 40-45 win teams.

---

Flagg is averaging 2.2 TO/game. Harper is at 2.3 and Bailey is at 2.1. Flagg is also 18 and should be a senior in HS right now. Not at all worried about that.

I think for every player, it really matters what team he gets on and what players he is surrounded by. I think Flagg can excel is a very wide variety of situations. Just looking at the lottery:

NOLA: Flagg, Zion, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Yves Missi, CJ McCollum and 75% of DeJounte Murray looks like a pretty good team. Also, they might try to move Zion (25/7/5 this year) to rebuild. There is always someone that thinks they can fix a guy like that. but having Missi, Zion, Flagg, Murphy, DJM starting five might be enough to get Zion to put down the Popeyes.

Washington. I hate Poole, and don't like their core that much. Sarr needs a lot of growth on offense, to say the least. But Sarr, Flagg, Bilal could be a solid front court.

Charlotte: I also don't believe in Charlotte or Ball, but starting with Ball, Miller, Flagg, Bridges is not an awful core.

Utah: I don't believe in their backcourt of Collier, Sexton, Clarkson and George. Lauri and Flagg would be a crazy big forward tandem. Kessler is a fine rim protector. They just need to use their assets to get a couple white guards to start and create the Utah dream. Don't love it, and that roster is still a mess, especially the backcourt.

Toronto: Flagg would be pretty incredible here. Poeltl, Flagg, Barnes, Ingram, Quickley with Dick, Barrett, Abiji off the bench would be pretty good.

Brooklyn: They have like 90MM in cap space and a ton of picks, so they could go out and get a big player to pair with him. I don't like Cam Thomas, I think Cam Johnson is overrated and is a decade older than Flagg, so he probably gets moved in an effort to get a 2nd star. If Brooklyn hits, I think they immediately look for their #2, if not, they are tanking again.

Philly. I don't wish this on Flagg. They have the two worst contracts in the NBA and it is just going to be Flagg+Maxey. Theoretically, that is a talented team, but I think Embiid is an anchor and so is Paul George.

Chicago: I think it is a bad spot for him. They inexplicably gave Patrick Williams a $90M contract and then drafted Matas. Their team is a mess. But at least they got their top 10 protected draft pick back for LaVine. It currently is 0.4% chance of being 11th.

Spurs: Wemby, Flagg, Sochan, Castle, Fox would be insane on defense and Flagg would add shooting. Obviously ideal situation. Plus they would have Barnes, Vassell, Champagnie and the Hawks pick coming off the bench.

Blazers: They need to figure out what they are doing. But Scoot has progressed a lot and they have Clingan from last year plus Camara looks like he is going to be very good. I love Deni Avdija. But they gotta figure out what to do with Ayton, Grant, Simons. Clingan, Flagg, Deni, Camara, Scoot might be a solid core to build with.

Orlando: Flagg+Paolo+Wagner - how does that work? I also like better shooting Wagner as a comp for Flagg. This is a team that might really benefit from getting Harper and assets... or you see what someone might give you for Wagner to roll back the salary cap clock with Flagg's rookie deal instead of Wagner's max. Like if Brooklyn got #2, would they consider Wagner for Cam and Harper? Now you have Carter, Paolo, Flagg, Suggs, Harper with KCP, Cam Johnson, Anthony Black and Goga coming off the bench?

Dallas: This would almost be funny after they move a PG to get a PF, then land a PF. Again, they might be able to move down and get Harper+picks and it might make sense. Or do like that Orlando trade above and move AD for Harper+Cam+picks and now you have Harper+Flagg to go with Ky, Gaff, Lively, PJ, Klay and Christie. WINDOW OPEN BABY.

At this point we're all speculating, but I'll invite the bookmark and 3 year bump to see what Flagg looks like in three years.

My bet is he's a 22-24 ppg scorer who defends and facilitates pretty well (6-7 apg) with acceptable efficiency 46/38/85 shooting splits. That's a good player, but that's not generational.

If you remember, I made a similar comment about three years ago when we were discussing Wemby and Scoot. And yes, Scoot has looked much better the last two or so months. Wemby is a star right now, and it's still very much up in the air on if Scoot is even a high level starter. At that point, you (Guitar) were super high on Scoot, and while there is still time for him to make a star turn, he looks more like what I said he'd be (a generic 6'3'' guy who can get his from night to night) rather than someone who looks like they could be the next Ant and lead a franchise.

AggieEP said:

---

At this point we're all speculating, but I'll invite the bookmark and 3 year bump to see what Flagg looks like in three years.

My bet is he's a 22-24 ppg scorer who defends and facilitates pretty well (6-7 apg) with acceptable efficiency 46/38/85 shooting splits. That's a good player, but that's not generational.

If you remember, I made a similar comment about three years ago when we were discussing Wemby and Scoot. And yes, Scoot has looked much better the last two or so months. Wemby is a star right now, and it's still very much up in the air on if Scoot is even a high level starter. At that point, you (Guitar) were super high on Scoot, and while there is still time for him to make a star turn, he looks more like what I said he'd be (a generic 6'3'' guy who can get his from night to night) rather than someone who looks like they could be the next Ant and lead a franchise.

---

I was always high on Wemby, I think everyone was. My only concern with him was injuries because people his size have a really bad track record on injuries.

I was high on Scoot, and still am, though I had a lot of doubts last year. His progression this year has been really great as he is cutting down on turnovers and his shot is developing. From his GLeague clips, I thought his athleticism would be higher than it is - I thought he would be closer to Brodie and it isn't. He has a lot of developing to do (especially on defense) and I don't think that Portland is the best place for them as they just dont have any identity but maybe they figure things out this summer and make some moves to position the team better. Scoot's last ~25 games he is putting up like 15/6 on 46/42 shooting, so I don't see a reason why he can't become a 20/8 guy as he develops. PGs generally take a while to develop in the league and GLeague probably set him back.

I've never called Flagg generational, and I don't think he is. I think that gets thrown around way too much. But I do think he can be an All-NBA player.

How a player develops and where they fit depends a lot on their situation. In 1996, Coach Cal became the head coach of the Nets and they had the 8th pick. Cal was set to pick Kobe Bryant, who vocally didn't want to go there. Kerry Kittles called Cal multiple times and BEGGED him to draft him.

Do we think that Kobe would have developed the same on the Nets under Cal as he did in LA? Situation means a ton.

Just imagine if Flagg was playing other HS seniors right now.

I think he's going to be a megastar in the NBA, but probably get roughed up a lot his first year or two becaus the media will cast him as the Great White Hope / Bird's successor. Wouldn't be surprised if the NBA greases the old lotto wheels to get him to whatever the biggest plausible market is come draft time. let's see if Brooklyn or Chicago magically jumps to the head of the class.

The Original Houston 1836 said:

---

Just imagine if Flagg was playing other HS seniors right now.

I think he's going to be a megastar in the NBA, but probably get roughed up a lot his first year or two becaus the media will cast him as the Great White Hope / Bird's successor. Wouldn't be surprised if the NBA greases the old lotto wheels to get him to whatever the biggest plausible market is come draft time. let's see if Brooklyn or Chicago magically jumps to the head of the class.

---

All depends on where he lands. Brooklyn has the cap space and assets to create a team around him. Plus NYC. I don't think Chicago is going to be able to put together a team around him. I think their roster and assets are a mess. Until proven otherwise, I don't believe in Charlotte. I think Flagg would fit there, but I also don't trust Ball to ever be healthy. I feel the same about NO and Zion, but Zion could possibly get some assets in return and then you build around Missi, Flagg, Herb, Trey and that's a solid core.

If I got Flagg, I'd trade Zion n a minute.
Also if I didn't get Flagg, I'd trade Zion.
Somebody has to be dumb enough to take him, maybe the Mavericks.

I live in Utah...they want him, hahaha