Raise the Flagg: Cooper Flagg is NEXT
I often wonder how 2+2 SE would have reacted had Lebron come out during its peak. The peak has, sadly, come and gone.
Spoiler
Back to the OP’s original post, I saw LeBron in HS in a front row seat at the Greensboro Coliseum on MLK Day in 2002. They played the number one team in NC at the time.
I have never seen a more dominating athlete in person. It was incredible. Just his build and the way he dominated the game. I’m an MJ better than LeBron guy but that was amazing. Also from the game, LeBron’s mom was annoying as ****. She wanted everyone there to know she was his mom. She may have even worn a “LeBron’s Mom” t-shirt. I sorta remember that but can’t be 100 percent sure.
Back to the OP’s original post, I saw LeBron in HS in a front row seat at the Greensboro Coliseum on MLK Day in 2002. They played the number one team in NC at the time. I have never seen a more dominating athlete in person. It was incredible. Just his build and the way he dominated the game. I’m an MJ better than LeBron guy but that was amazing. Also from the game, LeBron’s mom
I heard she ****ed Delonte West.
anyone think he could try to pull some version of an eli manning/steve francis and dictate where he goes?
the teams with lotto equity this year are pretty lame destinations and with NIL $ as leverage, not sure he is gonna wanna be trapped there for 7 years
wash/NO/Cha/Utah ooof
my guess is he falls in line but think sooner than later someone probably does this, maybe a QB
anyone think he could try to pull some version of an eli manning/steve francis and dictate where he goes?
the teams with lotto equity this year are pretty lame destinations and with NIL $ as leverage, not sure he is gonna wanna be trapped there for 7 years
wash/NO/Cha/Utah ooof
my guess is he falls in line but think sooner than later someone probably does this, maybe a QB
what I've been thinking about is what it would take for OKC to package a million of their picks to jump up and get him. Their roster is so deep already and they can't pay everyone and have Chet and JW coming up, so I was thinking they could trade like 5 1st rounders and two of their top 6 or 7 guys for #1. If they also got the #7 or 8 from Philly this year it could be quite the haul.
They could then build around SGA, Jalen and maybe Chet if they can both plus have Flag for a decade +.
guess it depends who gets #1. Ainge would never do it but maybe one of the other teams would
I'd be willing to move Jalen Williams + a premium pick and another good one for Cooper.
Then see about moving picks to land Ace Bailey (I've seen him mocked as low as #5).
super long ! Starting lineup:
iHart
Chet
Cooper
Ace Bailey
SGA
Count me a bit reserved about Flagg. I thought he might struggle against the athleticism of Bama, and he did. Lousy shooting and bad turnovers, including one where he was so shook he forgot the fundamentals of dribbling. It happens, but it's goofy.
He has to exert himself more than the athletes he's going to be up against, and that leads to more fatigue. That showed this year. A friend good at such things said he'd be better than Pippen, Rasheed Wallace, Kevin Love, Sam Perkins ... but not on a Durant or Garnett level. Surprised me more than a little rating him so high.
As far as better all-time prospects, off the top of my head I'd say way better coming up were: Oscar, Chamberlain, Alcindor, Dr. J, Maravich, David Thompson, Walton, Magic, Akeem, Sampson, Ewing, Jordan, Webber, Rose, Durant, Isaiah, McAdoo, AD, Shak, LeBron, Zion, Wemby.
I was highly skeptical of Zion and Wemby too. We'll see on that front. Zion as advertised with the injuries. Wemby showing his massive upside until.
I think he will breeze into the top 10 players in the world in no more than 5 years time. The way he moves is so fluid, he can already handle the better than most people his size, and he's a really damn good athlete.
Of course, he's a defensive dynamo and I just saw one of the biggest draft guys on Twitter call him easily the best passer in this draft. He's just really good at so many things all at 18 years old.
If he ever becomes a great or even good shooter, he's easily going to be a top 3 player. If not, still will be top 10 imo.
I think he will breeze into the top 10 players in the world in no more than 5 years time. The way he moves is so fluid, he can already handle the better than most people his size, and he's a really damn good athlete. Of course, he's a defensive dynamo and I just saw one of the biggest draft guys on Twitter call him easily the best passer in this draft. He's just really good
This is a pretty sensible assessment / projection.
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Count me a bit reserved about Flagg. I thought he might struggle against the athleticism of Bama, and he did. Lousy shooting and bad turnovers, including one where he was so shook he forgot the fundamentals of dribbling. It happens, but it's goofy. He has to exert himself more than the athletes he's going to be up against, and that leads to more fatigue. That showed this year.
I remember you being high on Wilt in college
read these posts in the motivational voice of 1953 Phog Allen
not to harp or be a dick
but just imagine Phog now well outside the Naismith shadow sitting in a Philly living room with Wilt projecting silent films of his offensive philosoply fully well knowing he had a forced retirement coming before Chamberlain ever reached campus
Cooper Flagg can declare for the draft and then by June 15th (!!!) decide to return to Duke ----- if he doesn't want to play for the Wizards, for example. He's said recently that he needs time to make his decision whether it be days, weeks, or a month (LOL).
In order of awesomeness I want him to go to:
1. Spurs (Pairing him with Wemby would be awesome sauce!)
2. Hornets (New young big 3 of Cooper/Flagg/Miller would fit amazingly well -- and become must see TV!)
3. Nets (would be really fun to have him in NYC and I might even go to a Nets game then!)
Anyone but the Sixers, who don’t deserve him
Philly deserves to have their first round pick forfeited.
Right now making him a 40% chance to be a journeyman and fade out of relevance within 5 years. Not buying yet. I'd be glad to see him in the other 60% range, about 10% of which is superstar.
He played in college at the age where nearly everyone would be still be playing in high school.
And did amazing.
I wonder if he’ll withdraw from the draft if the Wizards or some other trash organization wins the lottery.
