Cooper Flagg, the Duke freshman star, has basketball fans flooding social media. His standout NCAA Tournament play has sparked debates online. Some see him as a future NBA legend, while others question the hype. One comparison, in particular, has split the crowd: Scottie Pippen.
Cooper Flagg’s Comparison to Scottie Pippen Has Ignited Debates on Social Media
Projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg is shining bright for the Duke Blue Devils. In their latest win, an 85-65 rout of No. 2 seed Alabama Crimson Tide, he showcased his skills.
His high-level performances are turning heads, including that of NBA coaching veteran George Karl. With decades of experience, Karl recently shared a hot take on X: “Cooper Flagg’s comp is a more offensively skilled Scottie Pippen.”
Cooper Flagg’s comp is a more offensively skilled Scottie Pippen. pic.twitter.com/VPYLSmeoqB
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) March 28, 2025
Fans mostly nod to Flagg’s defensive potential. He’s a versatile talent, able to guard any position with his athleticism. But Karl points out that Flagg’s upper hand lies in his scoring.
Unlike Pippen, who struggled to shoot consistently, Flagg can hit from all three levels. Although his Ball-handling and passing still need work, his offensive skills already have many big names lined up behind him.
The Pippen comparison didn’t sit right with everyone. One Reddit user argued, “Pippen was not a solid shooter, and Flagg is an above-average shooter at worst. I don’t see the comp. Why not someone like Tatum?” They see Flagg as a jack-of-all-trades like Jayson Tatum, not a Pippen clone.
Another fan disagreed, highlighting his defensive potential. They noted Flagg erases mistakes while Tatum prevents them. On day one, Flagg might outshine Tatum as a team defender.
Others went even deeper. One fan praised Flagg’s game-processing speed on both ends. They also said his playmaking potential tops Tatum’s early days, though Tatum started as a sharper shooter. Still, Flagg’s college season has narrowed that gap.
But his scoring skills still spawn criticisms. A user shared, “If Flagg’s scoring ability was Pippen’s, that would be a severe disappointment.”
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Flagg’s blend of defensive skills and growing offensive game fuels the hype surrounding him. As March Madness rolls on, Flagg’s every move keeps the debate alive. One thing’s clear: the NBA’s next era might just belong to him.
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