He has been the talk of the town all season since last summer he was selected to train with the United States Olympic team, where he impressed the NBA's great American stars concentrated there, such as Kevin Durant and LeBron James. No one doubts that Cooper Flagg, the 6-foot-9, 18-year-old power forward from Duke University, will be selected by the Dallas Mavericks, who secured the first pick, with the No. 1 overall pick on June 26.
"I thought he was an exceptional player. Someone who is only going to get better with experience. At 17 years old, he came in here playing almost like a veteran. No nerves. He just went out and did his job. That's a good sign," Kevin Durant said when he met him at the USA training camp.
I thought he was an exceptional player. Someone who is only going to get better with experience. He went out and did his job and that's a good sign
Paul George, one of the Sixers stars, also praised him earlier this year: "He has a touch of Michael Beasley. With that size, he can score, he can make plays, he's super talented, a revolutionary player. I don't think people talk enough about how good Michael Beasley was or is. I still see videos of him doing crazy stuff on the internet. The motherfucker is still playing basketball. I think he's a great player, man. I think he has an exceptional game," he said of the Duke college player.
With that size, he can score, he can make plays, he's super talented, a revolutionary player. I think he's a great player, and I think he has an exceptional game
No one doubts that Cooper Flagg is the most promising player of all those who will appear in the next draft. Not surprisingly, his averages of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game with Duke earned him all the individual honors of the season: the USWBA Rookie of the Year award, the Naismith College Player of the Year award and the John R. Wooden award. He also led Duke to the Final Four, but did not win it.
Carmelo Anthony 'lowers the souffle' of Flagg
An NBA legend like Carmelo Anthony also praises Flagg for his virtues, but he lowers the expectations that the young man has raised and that he believes are exaggerated. He did so on Paul George's podcast: "I hear people say Cooper is great. Cooper is a crack... It's been a while since we've seen someone dominate as much as he does. He's dominating... I'm very confident in his game... But to me he doesn't do anything extraordinary, he just does a lot of things very well," he said.
I hear people say he's great, that he's a genius... But for me he doesn't do anything extraordinary, he just does a lot of things very well
Anthony praised his offensive rebounding ability, his ability to access ing lanes, his offensive qualities and his mental ability, but he is right to drop that he is not the best at anything in particular. He ranked 47th in the NCAA in scoring, 115th in rebounding and 142nd in assists. What Anthony might mean is that without being outstanding in any one area he does bring a combination of skills that will have an overall impact on any team he plays for.
A threat in attack and defense
His physique and explosiveness make him a threat at both ends of the court, and his offensive skills make him a versatile scorer. He is not the best scorer, er or rebounder. However, the combined impact he has at both ends of the floor is remarkable and should leave his mark on the Mavericks game next season.