Pros:
Defensive Versatility
guard multiple positions, gets many steals and blocks. An incredible help defender chase down blocks, close outs and uses his size very effectively. Definitely operates as a big man in this half yet he can move his feet and stay with guards. He looks like he can be an all defence guy. His numbers are comparable to someone like Evan Mobley or Jalen Johnson in terms of stocks. Defensive versatility is huge, im a big defence guy although my favourite player is Trae Young. I think you have to have really strong defenders and switchable defenders in the modern NBA to play top level basketball, and to have a top prospect that fills that is great.
Scoring Versatility
confident at getting a bucket from most levels, but mostly driving to the basket, he can do a lot around the rim and has showed he can get there effectively using his handle. He is just very confident and I think that is what is most important for prospects like this. if he wants to get buckets at all levels I think he Will at the NBA level. Confidence is key when talking about young prospects and Flagg has tons of it.
High Usage and can run an offence
30.5% usg (JAN 1st) and is the main guy in that offence. but he doesn't hog the ball, he doesn't take up all the teams shots, he lets the others eat and passes well. Can run the pick and roll as a ball handler. A point forward is a very valuable role. Works in transition, pushes pace which is very effective at the NBA level and something that should translate. I really like the Point Forward role, I think it's very effective currently and gives you so much versatility when building a roster and that's one of the best things when building round a prospect like young.
Athleticism
uses it properly getting blocks and boards and getting buckets at the rim. Also very strong in the post and taking on guys on 1 on 1, adding to that defensive versatility. probably his best attribute. Obviously strong athletics prospects ill just go higher due to having so much potential, and that what's so intriguing about Flagg, Is that he's already so good and has all the attributes, to progress further in every aspect of his game.
Age
he only turned 18 last month, is probably the only thing you hear from the commentators on his games but it is another factor that will draw in teams. It is incredible that someone so young can lead Duke in Points, Rebounds, assists and blocks. They obviously trust the kid. Again the age just shows how much potential this kid has to really become a great.
Cons:
Decision Making
comes with the age, dribbles into bad situations and turns the ball over quite a bit, but if he is going to mold himself into a point forward role he needs to clean this up. A very similar study case for this in then NBA is Jalen Johnson. Obviously something that's going to propel him to
Three point consistency
I believe in his ability to make it and as the season goes on, he seems to be improving more and more at shooting the 3 ball. This is the largest swing factor for his game But I wouldn't make it change your opinion on him. He definitely has the ability to make them, can he make them consistently. personally I don't think he'll be more then a 35-36% shooter in the NBA and that isn't a total bad thing.(NEW) I wanted to Update this section by saying that his 3 point has looked really good this month, I want to see a few more games before this looks like less of a problem. But I still somewhat believe my previous take.
Interesting factor:
Big Game Player: Cooper Flagg Loves the big games, putting up consistent 20+ point performances against the better teams Duke have played, and when he was unable to do that vs Kansas, it led to a lose to Duke. So it shows that Cooper Flagg's production is vital to a very successful teams season. If this translates to the NBA, we could see some huge playoff success and numbers. I do think that Flagg is going to be looked back on as one of the best prospects of the decade, which has currently been one of the most stacked ones especially when we talk about no.1 overall picks, I'd be very surprised if he drops off that spot
Conclusion:
Prospect ceiling: MVP Ceiling
Pick Range: 1-2
NBA Comp: Offensively I mostly compare him to Jalen Johnson and Defensively Kevin Garnett.
Best Fits: -
Washington
Brooklyn
New Orleans