The NBA draft ideas off Wednesday evening from the Barclays Middle, and the primary identify anticipated to be known as is Duke’s Cooper Flagg.
Not an enormous shock after he did the whole lot for the Blue Devils final yr — led them in factors, rebounds, assists, and steals whereas going to the Remaining 4.
When the Dallas Mavericks take Flagg — barring a serious shock — he would be the second-youngest No. 1 general decide all-time behind LeBron James. The Cavaliers took him first in 2003.
James had some excessive reward for Flagg on his “Thoughts the Recreation” podcast.
“I personally assume that he desires to be nice,” he stated. “He had a hell of a yr at Duke. A man that may achieve this many various issues out on the ground. Can play with the ball, can play with out the ball. His leap shot goes to proceed to get higher. Tremendous athletic, fast second leap.”
James does see a distinction between Flagg’s scenario and his personal.
“He has the profit, not like myself, he will get to hitch a group that is established with Corridor of Fame guys — Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving — proper off the bat. Corridor of Fame coach, Jason Kidd., these guys are like, they’re can provide him the entire blueprint whereas he continues to be taught what his blueprint can be.”
As a 19-year-old rookie, James was the main scorer with 20 per sport on a Cavs group that completed fifth within the Central Division. The lineup additionally featured Carlos Boozer, Ricky Davis and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
James did not make the playoffs till his third season, and even then the lineup did not examine to what the Mavs could have subsequent yr — if wholesome.
“I believe that can be an unimaginable factor to have that kind of presence, that kind of management, that kind of simply basketball IQ and data round him each single day from these items,” James stated. “So, I believe he will be wonderful.”