NBA Draft 2025: LeBron James Predicts Cooper Flagg to Shine with the Mavericks
Getting Hyped for Draft Night: Cooper Flagg Takes Center Stage on Wednesday
Draft night is rapidly approaching, and it promises to be a pivotal event in the NBA calendar. The big finale is set to go down at the Barclays Center, with Duke standout Cooper Flagg being the last name called, ready to claim the No.1 pick.
The Mavericks have got their eyes fixated on this generational talent, as they hold the most valuable draft pick. Flagg, who is considered the top prospect of his class, proved his mettle with his exceptional performances leading the league in points, rebounds, assists, and steals with the Blue Devils.
Barring any unexpected twists, the young phenom seems set to become the second-youngest No.1 pick of all time, only trailing LeBron James, who was picked by the Cavaliers back in 2003. In a recent podcast episode of Mind the Game, the Lakers captain, James, acknowledged the emerging talent, praising his versatility, athleticism, and burgeoning jump shot.
"Flagg's got what it takes to be great," James expressed confidently. "He's more than just a player; he's got a hell of a year at Duke. Can play with the ball, can play without the ball. His jump shot is just going to get better. He's super athletic and quick."
However, the all-time leading NBA scorer couldn't help but notice a stark difference between their paths to the top. "I would have had to build my legacy from scratch, but Flagg will walk into an already established dynasty with Hall of Fame players like Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, and Kyrie Irving, not to mention a Hall of Fame coach, Jason Kidd," he pointed out.
James further emphasized the significance of such an enviable team environment to guide a young pro like Flagg, who could learn from these NBA greats while carving his unique path to success.
In his rookie season, LeBron averaged 20 points per game, but it took him until his third campaign to reach the playoffs, which featured teammates like Carlos Boozer. Fast forward to today, and Flagg, following his breakthrough college season, is poised to take his talents to the next level alongside those seasoned vets.
"It's going to be fascinating to see how Flagg matures in such an incredible setting," James observed, clearly excited about the prospect. "I think he's going to be phenomenal."
When LeBron was a 19-year-old rookie, he proved his worth by ending the season as Cleveland's scoring leader. However, it took him three seasons to make it to the playoffs, an experience Flagg may not have to wait as long for.
With the draft just around the corner, the excitement is palpable, and Flagg's prospects seem brighter than ever. Could this be the new era of the NBA? Only time will tell.
- "The NBA playoffs could see a fresh face this season with Cooper Flagg, the top NBA prospect, set to make his debut."
- "Flagg's versatility, athleticism, and burgeoning jump shot have caught the attention of NBA legends, such as LeBron James."
- "If drafted, Flagg could join a star-studded lineup including Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, and Kyrie Irving, which could accelerate his learning curve in the NBA."
- "As a rookie, LeBron James took three seasons to reach the playoffs, but Cooper Flagg, with his stunning college performance, could skip this step and be an immediate contender in the NBA."
