2024-2025 Tank Race

[fishonjazz]

In high school, Flagg led Montverde Academy to a 34-0 record and the program's eighth national title.

 

[fishonjazz]

And fwiw if you read through the 2025 draft thread I don't even think Flagg is the most discussed so you could argue that he isn't even the dude most people are fixated on in the first place.

 

[jazznik]

Because of that post I decided to look up Flagg stats.
They were a little better than I thought.

32 minutes. 20 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.2 blocks. 48.3% from the field, 37% from 3, 81.4% from the line.

Plays in a good conference against good competition.

Everything i hear is he is a good defender. Good athlete. Plays multiple positions. Versatile. Extremely young (just turned 18 in December. He was playing at Duke at a 17 year old). Good size.

Damn it, now I'm even more fixated on Flagg.

Tank note Jazz. And tank on

You know, these stats are not that different from what Filipowski posted in 30MPG before being drafted in the 2nd round: 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.5 blocks. 51% from the field, 34% from 3, 67% from the line.

 

[NUMBERICA]

But why are people so fixated specifically on Flagg? Historically the can't-miss-prospects were deemed such because of their otherworldly athleticism. At least after everybody shifted to being drafted at 18/19: Lebron, Wemby, Dwight Howard, Zion. But Flagg is not one of those athletic unicorns and: another player in the draft can easily end up having a better career.

A case in point is Blake Griffin: he was a good (but not freakishly good) athlete and was a unanimous 1st pick, but behind him were also drafted Harden and Curry. Another example is the unanimous 1st pick Wiggins, with Embiid and Jokic selected later. The same can easily happen this year.

1) Flagg is the probably youngest player in college basketball (he should be in High School)
2) Flagg is the best player in college basketball

A. Flagg has an outrageous 37 PER in Conference play up from something like a 23 PER in the early season. Players don’t typically get A LOT better when the competition becomes harder, and especially not the least experienced players.​

3) Flagg is not unidimensional or a loser. He is do-**** player in all facets of the game as the best player on one of the best teams in CBB.

​

 

[SoberasHotRod]

1) Flagg is the probably youngest player in college basketball (he should be in High School)
2) Flagg is the best player in college basketball

A. Flagg has an outrageous 37 PER in Conference play up from something like a 23 PER in the early season. Players don’t typically get A LOT better when the competition becomes harder, and especially not the least experienced players.​

3) Flagg is not unidimensional or a loser. He is do-**** player in all facets of the game as the best player on one of the best teams in CBB.

​

Well said and I agree with all of that except the intimation that his conference play has been difficult. The ACC is really weak this year and most of Duke's toughest games have been non conference. That said Flagg seems to rise to the occasion and play better against the best teams. It's really all incredible.

 

[fishonjazz]

You know, these stats are not that different from what Filipowski posted in 30MPG before being drafted in the 2nd round: 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.5 blocks. 51% from the field, 34% from 3, 67% from the line.

Again, dont overthink it. You and I can watch a few games and look at some stats and make declarations like its our job, but it isn't.

 

[jazznik]

1) Flagg is the probably youngest player in college basketball (he should be in High School)
2) Flagg is the best player in college basketball

A. Flagg has an outrageous 37 PER in Conference play up from something like a 23 PER in the early season. Players don’t typically get A LOT better when the competition becomes harder, and especially not the least experienced players.​

3) Flagg is not unidimensional or a loser. He is do-**** player in all facets of the game as the best player on one of the best teams in CBB.

​

Flagg IS a great college player and has a high chance of being a great NBA player. But he does not have that rare physical advantage that you cannot teach like Howard, LeBron or Wemby did. Another player from this draft can quite plausibly have a better learning curve plus develop his body and surpass him a couple of years from now, that happened many times. Again, I am not dissing Flagg but he is not a guaranteed future NBA great like Wemby was last year. The Jazz should be happy just to get a high pick: there are several players that you can conceivably see developing into at least the same-level player as Flagg.

 

[jazznik]

​

Here are the quotes from the Jazzfanz posters discussing who the Jazz should pick with their 35th pick and talking about the future top-15 great:

- "Am I the only one who is interested in Jokic? Never seen his nane on this forum."

- "personally I take medicine when I get jokic, but if you enjoy it so be it."

- "maybe Jokic but hes a reach at 35 IMO"

- "I like Jokic, but in the 40's. though id be happy if hes the 2nd round pick, i think his skill level is that of a 1st rounder but his athleticism concerns me. Im sure better value will be on the board at 35. do you think hes a better prospect than Micic? he reminds me of Nenad Kristic"

 

[HermanG]

Flagg IS a great college player and has a high chance of being a great NBA player. But he does not have that rare physical advantage that you cannot teach like Howard, LeBron or Wemby did. Another player from this draft can quite plausibly have a better learning curve plus develop his body and surpass him a couple of years from now, that happened many times. Again, I am not dissing Flagg but he is not a guaranteed future NBA great like Wemby was last year. The Jazz should be happy just to get a high pick: there are several players that you can conceivably see developing into at least the same-level player as Flagg.

You also cannot teach the kids to have "the dog" in them. Physical traits will never trump competitive drive. Thats what all HoFers have in common but not all of them are rare physical specimen.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Flagg IS a great college player and has a high chance of being a great NBA player. But he does not have that rare physical advantage that you cannot teach like Howard, LeBron or Wemby did. Another player from this draft can quite plausibly have a better learning curve plus develop his body and surpass him a couple of years from now, that happened many times. Again, I am not dissing Flagg but he is not a guaranteed future NBA great like Wemby was last year. The Jazz should be happy just to get a high pick: there are several players that you can conceivably see developing into at least the same-level player as Flagg.

I mean, he does absolutely have rare physical advantages. Are they to the extent of those 3? No, but those are also 3 of the most physically advantaged players of the last 20 years.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Like worst case scenario, Flagg is a 3rd option who is going to be an elite defender. Best case, he's a #1 option who can play All-D level defense when needed.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

You know, these stats are not that different from what Filipowski posted in 30MPG before being drafted in the 2nd round: 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.5 blocks. 51% from the field, 34% from 3, 67% from the line.

Maybe you should try watching basketball.