Cooper Flagg has taken the college basketball world by storm in his freshman 12 months at Duke, proving why he is projected because the No. 1 general decide within the 2025 NBA Draft. Final Saturday, the Blue Devils placed on a clinic at Madison Sq. Backyard, dismantling Illinois 110-67 in a blowout that went down within the report books as Illinois’ worst loss ever and Duke’s largest win at MSG. Cooper Flagg contributed 16 factors, seven rebounds and 5 assists in lower than 24 minutes to showcase his all-around recreation. The 110 factors have been essentially the most scored by a school group on the iconic venue for the reason that legendary six-overtime Syracuse-UConn recreation in 2009. At 24-3, Duke’s stingy protection and Flagg’s brilliance have put them in prime place for a No. 1 seed with March Insanity lower than a month away.
Underneath Jon Scheyer, who’s proving to be a worthy successor to Coach Okay, Duke seems to be unstoppable. Flagg’s season averages – 19.5 factors, 7.7 rebounds and 4 assists on 48.6% capturing from the sphere and 37.3% from deep – underscore his dominance. With simply 4 video games remaining, together with a visit to Miami and a season-ending showdown with North Carolina on March 8, the Blue Devils are rolling into the match with only one loss since late November. Expectations are excessive, and if Flagg continues to shine and the protection holds agency, this can be a group that might convey down the nets in April.
Paul George Favors Ace Bailey Over Flagg
Whereas most specialists contemplate Flagg the clear No. 1 decide, Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George just lately stirred the controversy by suggesting that Rutgers’ Ace Bailey may need a better upside. On his “P with Paul George podcast“, the eight-time All-Star gave his tackle the upcoming draft class, stating that he would take Bailey over Flagg if given the selection. Here’s what PG13 needed to say
I feel Ace Bailey is a little bit bit extra uncooked expertise with nonetheless a ton of upside, i believe Cooper Flagg, to not say he would not have upside, he has wonderful upside as properly, however I feel Ace Bailey has a little bit bit extra upside to him. I feel Ace Bailey can scratch a little bit bit extra off of his floor than Cooper Flagg can. Which I feel each will probably be All-Stars, each will probably be superstars as soon as they develop and get to the NBA.
George even went as far as to compare Flagg and Bailey’s potential rivalry to the legendary Magic Johnson vs. Larry Fowl battles of the Eighties, given their related measurement and ability units, i believe it is a little bit too quickly for that. Nevertheless, whereas Bailey is undoubtedly a gifted prospect, his scenario at Rutgers was removed from preferrred. Regardless of his spectacular averages of 18.4 factors and seven.2 rebounds per recreation, Rutgers has struggled to a 14-14 report and is unlikely to make the NCAA Event. In the meantime, Flagg has been the very best participant on one of many high groups within the nation, making it onerous to see any group passing on him with the No. 1 decide.
Paul George Struggles as Sixers’ Season Slips Away
At 34, Paul George must be winding down a stellar profession, however this season with the Sixers has been a slog. He is averaging profession lows since earlier than his Most Improved Participant days with Indiana in 2012-13 – he is at the moment averaging 16.2 factors per recreation on 43.2% capturing, a far cry from his greatest years. He was a power once more in 2018-19 with Oklahoma Metropolis, scoring 28.0 factors per recreation and ending third in MVP voting. Even in 2020-21 with the Clippers, he averaged 23.3 factors on 46.7 p.c effectivity. Now, with Philadelphia at 20-37 and losers of eight straight, George hasn’t discovered his groove. The East’s mediocrity retains the play-in alive – they’re 2.5 video games behind Chicago – however 14 of their final 24 video games are on the highway. Possibly it is time for George to hold up his sneakers and give attention to podcasting, the place his takes, just like the Bailey-Flagg debate, are nonetheless producing buzz.
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