Cooper Flag captured the NBA creativeness earlier than enjoying his first skilled recreation.
Duke’s technology of expertise brings a singular ability set the place veterans and coaches maintain scrambles to search out the proper comparability.
Comparisons proceed to circulate from numerous corners of the league. Director Jason Kidd sees similarities with former Rookie of the Yr Grant Hill.
In the meantime, teammate PJ Washington will flag the identical technology of classes as Lebron James and Stephen Curry.
Tony Allen, a defensive cussed man who performed for Boston and Memphis, thinks Flag has qualities paying homage to former All-Star Andrei Kirilenko.
Former Mavericks star Jim Jackson just lately offered maybe probably the most detailed comparability. Jackson combines the most effective attributes of two totally different gamers, Keith Van Horn and Jason Tatum, combining the Cooper Flag.
“I look lots like Keith Van Horn, athleticism, measurement, but in addition Jason Tatum, like a mix of the 2,” Jackson defined.
“As a result of folks neglect how good it’s for Keith Van Horn to come back out of school. They neglect concerning the 6’10 observe and area the place you possibly can run on the ground, 6’10, and now you mix that footwork with Jason Tatum, step again, pivot and theatre.”
Jackson highlighted one necessary distinction that may make Flagg stand out.
Like each Van Horn and Tatum, Flagg has the flexibility to play small forwards or powers. Kidd even experimented with utilizing him as the first ball handler throughout Summer time League motion and introducing him to his full ability set.
Contemplating the trajectories of Van Horn and Tatum from totally different careers, the comparability turns into fascinating.
Van Horn exploded early, posting greater than 20 factors rebounds in his second season. Tatum took a extra progressive method, reaching its manufacturing stage in its fifth NBA marketing campaign.
Whether or not Flag follows the early Spike mannequin or requires persistence earlier than reaching All-Star rely, the focus will get intense from Recreation 1.
The mixture of Van Horn’s athleticism and Tatum’s refined footwork may create one thing particular within the NBA.
