I don’t think they are all that talented. Won’t be a good shooting team. I call it Even.Have you not seen the talent Duke possesses? We are not beating them (IMHO). They might beat us by 15. There's always a chance though
I don’t think they are all that talented. Won’t be a good shooting team. I call it Even.Have you not seen the talent Duke possesses? We are not beating them (IMHO). They might beat us by 15. There's always a chance though
Anthony Davis and Bam's length gave him some trouble. He was still able to get some buckets. Carr is not what Bam and Davis are athletically.Catsfanbgky, I appreciate the way you discuss basketball and explain your position a little bit. Makes me value your opinion. I have watched video of Flagg (although perhaps not as much as you) and was impressed by how hard he played. I see skills that, when combined with a high motor, would probably make him formidable as a college PF even as a freshman (no small thing in its own right). But I don’t see a level of SF skills yet (although I can see the upside there) that worry me in our game or make me think he’s one of the better college SFs next season – and his projected (or actual) draft position doesn’t speak to how good (i.e., how much he impacts his team winning games) he is as a freshman.
Personally, I love the idea of Duke playing him at SF, rather than PF, in the early game vs UK. Just think it might be giving away productivity potential from a team standpoint. Meaning, for example, would Duke be a better team with Sion James at SF & Flagg at PF vs Flagg at SF & Brown at PF? Truthfully, I don’t know enough to have a real strong opinion on this, but I tend to think James at SF would be the way to go. Not to get into a Cal bashing thing, but playing Flagg at SF smacks of what Cal might do for his NBA draft positioning rather than what helps the team the most.
And I still think Carr won’t have any problem guarding Flagg, plus I think Carr’s length will cause Flagg to be frustrated and less effective.
Flagg is the best player in college basketball. If you don't understand that, I'll make it easy for you. Flagg is one of the 50 best basketball players in the world right now. It is that simple.How do Flagg’s nuts taste? Serious question.
This is it right here. Get him in foul trouble. For those who don't know, Flagg's defense is the best part of his game. If he's in foul trouble that will hurt Duke's defense because he's an elite shot blocker and moves his feet well. He loves to help so this is where Pope's offense will really help with he constant motion.I’m actually more interested in how UK can possibly exploit him on defense. Put him in pick and roll and pick and pop all night and make him make decisions and guard out in space.
He’s offensively gifted but I’m hoping Pope exploits him defensively all night long. Make him make reads in PNR defense and see if he’s willing to chase guys, hedge appropriately, and make rotations. Because physical strength and team defense will not be his strongest attributes that early in the season.
Yeah we apparently shouldn't bother showing up for this game.So all the non-stopping praise Flagg is getting I assume we have no shot at holding him down and he will almost beat us by himself? Alomor I suppose would be the best physically to guard the cocky big mouth all everything? Or go smaller with Oweh? I guess Krissa will have to do a lot of the jawing with him.
I don't think it's that. I think it's the foolishness that some bring by saying Carr > Flagg and that sort of stuff. That sort of stuff is just so off base it's hard to tell if the posters are serious or not.So all the non-stopping praise Flagg is getting I assume we have no shot at holding him down and he will almost beat us by himself? Alomor I suppose would be the best physically to guard the cocky big mouth all everything? Or go smaller with Oweh? I guess Krissa will have to do a lot of the jawing with him.
Williams is suppose to be able to guard guards. His size would overwhelm. Carr could take their 5 on D. Just a thought. Lot of different scenarios we could do with the type of roster we have. Thankfully we can now go zone and make them beat us shooting, which some say may be their weakness?I don't think it's that. I think it's the foolishness that some bring by saying Carr > Flagg and that sort of stuff. That sort of stuff is just so off base it's hard to tell if the posters are serious or not.
Fact is, he'll see a lot of different looks and different guys. Oweh and Robinson are probably the best bets to slow him. Flagg will likely eat up and expose Carr or any of the other bigs. They're just not at his level athletically. But hell, not many are at his size. And here's the reality, defense hasn't exactly been a strength of Pope's teams. How do you beat Flagg and Duke then? Better make some shots and hope the supporting cast for Duke has a bad game.
You just lost ALL credibility with that one post.Flagg is the best player in college basketball. If you don't understand that, I'll make it easy for you. Flagg is one of the 50 best basketball players in the world right now. It is that simple.
We are the better shooting team for sure, but their athleticism could negate that.I don’t think they are all that talented. Won’t be a good shooting team. I call it Even.
Didn’t he do really great against Team USA’s squad of pros?I’m not your brother, cooper flag going up against a 5th year senior, flag didn’t impress me at all in the McDonald’s all American game against smaller bigs.
Yes!Didn’t he do really great against Team USA’s squad of pros?
If you go down the 2 rosters, Flagg may be the only advantage they have, it’s close everywhere else. And I do think Flagg will be very good, but not great, maybe a top 10-20 player next year. I think Carr may be a top 50.We are the better shooting team for sure, but their athleticism could negate that.
Holmgren and Wemby are on that list as rookies. Flagg is definitely in that discussion.You just lost ALL credibility with that one post.
You are saying there are only about 2 players per NBA team better than him.
He’s good giving him credit. Go Cats!!!!!!So he is inconsistent
Short sighted? We are not projecting where he WILL BE in a few years. We are talking NOW! Randle was in the MVP discussion a couple years ago. It’s been unrealistic to think he is top 50 NOW. Even top 100 would be optimistic, but maybe.Holmgren and Wemby are on that list as rookies. Flagg is definitely in that discussion.
The 50ish line is around Draymond, DeRozan, Julius Randle...that sort of player. It's pretty short-sided to think Flagg doesn't belong in that crowd.
Yes that is what I'm saying.You just lost ALL credibility with that one post.
You are saying there are only about 2 players per NBA team better than him.
Stand on it! RespectYes that is what I'm saying.
Agree here on Duke Sucks but I will have to say that most of us are at least being realistic about this game more so than when we played Zion and company. There was a lot of crow that had to be swallowed after that game. Nice to see that many have learned a lesson on there homer takes.Duke Sucks!!!
I watched about 6 minutes of that game and went to sleep. I found out what it was like to be an opposing fan of when our 2015 team came to town.Agree here on Duke Sucks but I will have to say that most of us are at least being realistic about this game more so than when we played Zion and company. There was a lot of crow that had to be swallowed after that game. Nice to see that many have learned a lesson on there homer takes.
Okie dukie?Agree here on Duke Sucks but I will have to say that most of us are at least being realistic about this game more so than when we played Zion and company. There was a lot of crow that had to be swallowed after that game. Nice to see that many have learned a lesson on there homer takes.
I agree 100%. I just hope after we get destroyed that no one is questioning Pope. The man deserves much more than a game.Agree here on Duke Sucks but I will have to say that most of us are at least being realistic about this game more so than when we played Zion and company. There was a lot of crow that had to be swallowed after that game. Nice to see that many have learned a lesson on there homer takes.
Didn’t he do really great against Team USA’s squad of pros?
Yes that is what I'm saying.
Yet at the McD game he couldn't stand out in the slightest. He looked like just another guy.Stand on it! Respect
You say "one team has never played a game together". Basically, NEITHER team has. Proctor and Foster are the only 2 Dukies that have played together.Duke is much more than Flagg an unproven freshman. With that said I have no idea who wins that game. How can anyone predict a game when one team has never played a game together. Who knows at this point
Caneintally, I'm not disputing your opinion on Flagg's basketball skills. But, I think you would be wrong 10 times out of 10 to take Flagg over Zion Williamson as a college freshman. Flagg may be a better individually skilled basketball player in every way possible, but Zion Williamson’s freakish, almost never seen before, combination of power and athleticism made it nearly impossible to match up with him in college. His explosiveness at his size was eye-popping. The issue is not skills or who is the better basketball player. The issue is impact on winning.Flagg is the best HS player I have seen since Zion and it ain't close and honestly I'd take him 10 times outta 10 over zion too. Kid is a monster. Honestly we have could beat Duke ONLY because its the beginning of the season but If I had to wager I'd say Duke by 9. I think we lose 2x in non con - Duke andOhio St IMO and lose 5 games inSEC Play which is good for 2nd or 3rd place in league. we end up a 3 or 4 seed IN dance and make elite 8 .
McDonald’s game performance not a standout but held his own vs Team USA. Some say a standout performance. Still think we win in a close game. Go Cats!!!!Yet at the McD game he couldn't stand out in the slightest. He looked like just another guy.
That's what I was saying about him being "inconsistent". TOP 50 pro's are not that inconsistent. Sure they may have an off night, but 9 out of 10 they are "on".McDonald’s game performance not a standout but held his own vs Team USA. Some say a standout performance. Still think we win in a close game. Go Cats!!!!
I agree.Caneintally, I'm not disputing your opinion on Flagg's basketball skills. But, I think you would be wrong 10 times out of 10 to take Flagg over Zion Williamson as a college freshman. Flagg may be a better individually skilled basketball player in every way possible, but Zion Williamson’s freakish, almost never seen before, combination of power and athleticism made it nearly impossible to match up with him in college. His explosiveness at his size was eye-popping. The issue is not skills or who is the better basketball player. The issue is impact on winning.
Williamson led Duke in almost every offensive category – points (23), FG% (68%), rebounds (9), steals (2), blocks (2), assists (2) – despite not really being a great basketball player.
Before our early game against them that season, I really thought PJ Washington (no slouch physically himself) could handle Williamson. Well, I watched that game live, and it was clear almost from the beginning that neither Washington or anybody else in college could match up physically with Williamson. He was like an Alabama defensive end who could move like Dominique Wilkins. Trying to contain his movement and keep him out of the lane and off the boards was impossible. It threw the whole defense off.
Back then I said that I didn’t think there was anyway his joints/body could hold up long-term to that kind of explosiveness at his weight – and I think that’s been proven to be an issue. But, on the other hand, his weight, and being able to do what he did at that weight, was a big part of the success I think.
That's what I was saying about him being "inconsistent". TOP 50 pro's are not that inconsistent. Sure they may have an off night, but 9 out of 10 they are "on".
He'll be good. But not great. He won't be JR or SR version of Laettner, he won't even be AD.
I think he'll be more like Jabrari Smith at Auburn or Brandon Miller at Alabama. Very good (college) players, who will eventually be very good Pro's. But not light-years better than other good college players.