Cooper Flagg Receives Massive NBA Comparison After Duke’s Final Four

Cooper Flagg Receives Massive NBA Comparison After Duke’s Final Four

The Duke Blue Devils and star forward Cooper Flagg were unable to advance to the national championship game on Saturday night.

Despite being up by 14 over halfway through the second half, the Blue Devils fell to the Houston Cougars by a final score of 70-67.

It was a tough way to end an impressive season for Duke.

As for Flagg, it was likely his last game with the Blue Devils, as he is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft. Flagg scored 27 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out four assists, blocked three shots, and recorded two steals in the loss.

He left everything he had on the court. With the NBA draft now at the forefront of Flagg’s choices for the future, he has received a massive comparison.

In an article from ESPN, one Eastern Conference general manager dropped the comparison of Scottie Pippen for Flagg. “I say Scottie because he could have been a No. 1 guy, and was after MJ left [Chicago], but he became by far the best No. 2,” the general manager said. “I think Cooper will be a hell of a No. 2, but he might need a top 10 [player] running mate with him.

He can obviously prove me wrong, but I don’t see him as a No. 1 guy on a championship team in his career.” Being compared to an all-time great is major praise. However, the idea that he can never be “the guy” for a team is not a flattering opinion.

Fans will be on the edge of their seats waiting to hear Flagg’s decision on the future.

Former No. 1 overall pick Larry Johnson spoke out and shared that he thinks Flagg should play one more season in college. “To go back to Duke and spend one more year, just get them skills together a little bit more. I think that would be a pretty good idea,” Johnson said. “But, again, knowing you’re gonna be No. 1 coming out as a freshman, that’d be hard to turn down.”