Well, I guess I was way wrong. Half way through the second half, I was certain that Duke would close out an easy victory. And then it all fell apart for Duke. I guess you never know in competitive sports. Strange things can and do happen. That's why you keep fighting until it's all over!
I missed the Florida/Auburn game but the 2nd game definitely lived up to the hype. That Houston defense was no joke especially down the stretch and hats off to center J'Wan Roberts, a 63% FT shooter, for nailing the tying and go ahead FTs.
Its going to be interesting to see if this loss fuels Cooper Flagg enough to possibly return to Duke for a second season. That happens and I bet that we'll all hear a collective "#$%^" heard across NBA front offices lol.
Its going to be interesting to see if this loss fuels Cooper Flagg enough to possibly return to Duke for a second season. That happens and I bet that we'll all hear a collective "#$%^" heard across NBA front offices lol.
i say next to no chance of that, especially after that meltdown for the ages
plus the injury risk, which he already got a taste of this season
Its going to be interesting to see if this loss fuels Cooper Flagg enough to possibly return to Duke for a second season. That happens and I bet that we'll all hear a collective "#$%^" heard across NBA front offices lol.
i say next to no chance of that, especially after that meltdown for the ages
plus the injury risk, which he already got a taste of this season
if i'm him i'm long gone
If I were him I'd leave that option open until I see which team gets the #1 pick because there'd be zero chance in hell that I'd want to end up in Charlotte or Washington for the first half of my career. Imagining that he'd be stuck as the running mate to Lamello Ball or Jordan Poole would be the equivalent to basketball purgatory lol.
He's already getting paid close to 5M in MIL money so the potential injury risk wouldn't hurt him like it may have 20-30yrs ago. I do agree though that he's probably lone gone at this point especially after he went through the process of reclassifying himself as part of the 2024 high school class so he could be able to be one & done in college. Technically he should have been a HS senior right now.
Cooper Flagg was one hell of a ride for us down here in North Carolina, you don't get players like that very often, best player in college basketball this season, wish he would come back but don't think it will happen. Anyway, one hell of a ride.
Its going to be interesting to see if this loss fuels Cooper Flagg enough to possibly return to Duke for a second season. That happens and I bet that we'll all hear a collective "#$%^" heard across NBA front offices lol.
i say next to no chance of that, especially after that meltdown for the ages
plus the injury risk, which he already got a taste of this season
if i'm him i'm long gone
If I were him I'd leave that option open until I see which team gets the #1 pick because there'd be zero chance in hell that I'd want to end up in Charlotte or Washington for the first half of my career. Imagining that he'd be stuck as the running mate to Lamello Ball or Jordan Poole would be the equivalent to basketball purgatory lol.
He's already getting paid close to 5M in MIL money so the potential injury risk wouldn't hurt him like it may have 20-30yrs ago. I do agree though that he's probably lone gone at this point especially after he went through the process of reclassifying himself as part of the 2024 high school class so he could be able to be one & done in college. Technically he should have been a HS senior right now.
Duke was still paying basketball players back then lol. I still dont really understand why the NBA doesnt let HS players go pro right away anymore, I get why the NFL does it. The NBA ones just reclassify more and more so its basically the same time frame.
Duke could get Flagg back, but I dont think theyre interested in spending the type of money it would take. Where you go isnt as much of a concern in the NBA other than where youd be living given that one player can turn a franchise around
@Basebal21 said: Where you go isnt as much of a concern in the NBA other than where youd be living given that one player can turn a franchise around
Sure it is, there are some teams that have shown throughout the years that their front offices/ownership are completely incompetent and even with a kid that looks as can't miss as Flagg, he alone won't turn around a franchise into a contender.
The NBA isn't the NFL where if you land a franchise QB your team's fortunes have pretty much changed overnight, in the NBA you're either a destination spot (usually on the west coast) or your a team that continually drafts & develops good players at a high rate, everyone else is either middle class at best or repeatedly in the lottery.
Landing one generational type player in the draft doesn't guarantee a thing and that injury risk that we were talking above could just as easily happen in the NBA. Just look at Wemby's fortunes in 2024-25, everything went from awesome to ruh-roh real quick.
@Basebal21 said: Where you go isnt as much of a concern in the NBA other than where youd be living given that one player can turn a franchise around
Sure it is, there are some teams that have shown throughout the years that their front offices/ownership are completely incompetent and even with a kid that looks as can't miss as Flagg, he alone won't turn around a franchise into a contender.
The NBA isn't the NFL where if you land a franchise QB your team's fortunes have pretty much changed overnight, in the NBA you're either a destination spot (usually on the west coast) or your a team that continually drafts & develops good players at a high rate, everyone else is either middle class at best or repeatedly in the lottery.
Landing one generational type player in the draft doesn't guarantee a thing and that injury risk that we were talking above could just as easily happen in the NBA. Just look at Wemby's fortunes in 2024-25, everything went from awesome to ruh-roh real quick.
1 guy wont win it all with the super teams, but one guy can certainly attract other players and make a team relevant again.
I would disagree with the NBA NFL comparison. The best QB in the world is going to be bad if the 10 guys around him are bad and doesnt even play half the game. A franchise QB is just as likely to be ruined by his team as he is to help them. A NBA player can still put up 30+ a game even on bad teams and make them relevant.
Wemby is just a freakishly tall human. Humans just arent supposed to be that tall. You can get lazy and eat your way out of the league like Panda did in baseball and Zion seems like he will in a couple years, but basketball players have the biggest impact on their teams performance in major sports with 5 players on the court playing both ways. Either way theyre going to make a ton of money getting drafted at the top
@Basebal21 said: Where you go isnt as much of a concern in the NBA other than where youd be living given that one player can turn a franchise around
Sure it is, there are some teams that have shown throughout the years that their front offices/ownership are completely incompetent and even with a kid that looks as can't miss as Flagg, he alone won't turn around a franchise into a contender.
The NBA isn't the NFL where if you land a franchise QB your team's fortunes have pretty much changed overnight, in the NBA you're either a destination spot (usually on the west coast) or your a team that continually drafts & develops good players at a high rate, everyone else is either middle class at best or repeatedly in the lottery.
Landing one generational type player in the draft doesn't guarantee a thing and that injury risk that we were talking above could just as easily happen in the NBA. Just look at Wemby's fortunes in 2024-25, everything went from awesome to ruh-roh real quick.
1 guy wont win it all with the super teams, but one guy can certainly attract other players and make a team relevant again.
Dude are you just arguing with me here for the sake of arguing? Sure, 1 guy may eventually attract other stars but usually not until he's on his 2nd or 3rd contract. Go look at the highest touted NBA players going 1st overall over the past 30 years, there were only four other players that came into the league with similar type of hype as Cooper Flagg in 2025...
1) Tim Duncan who went to a great situation in SA who already had an MVP on the roster in Robinson but the Spurs were the epitome of draft & develop not big free agent spenders.
2) Lebron to Cleveland in '03 and he didn't attract elite players until signing with Miami in year 8.
3) Zion with New Orleans and outside of the fact that he ate his way to becoming the NBA's version of Fat Albert no star players ever rushed to join him in NO.
4) Wemby in 2023 and he was really the only legit attraction if we're counting De'Aaron Fox but the Wemby discussion got put on hold obviously and I'd say that Fox alone isn't a game changer.
As for the money part, we've already pointed out that these elite players are getting paid a ton of money before hitting the league.
@Basebal21 said: Where you go isnt as much of a concern in the NBA other than where youd be living given that one player can turn a franchise around
Sure it is, there are some teams that have shown throughout the years that their front offices/ownership are completely incompetent and even with a kid that looks as can't miss as Flagg, he alone won't turn around a franchise into a contender.
The NBA isn't the NFL where if you land a franchise QB your team's fortunes have pretty much changed overnight, in the NBA you're either a destination spot (usually on the west coast) or your a team that continually drafts & develops good players at a high rate, everyone else is either middle class at best or repeatedly in the lottery.
Landing one generational type player in the draft doesn't guarantee a thing and that injury risk that we were talking above could just as easily happen in the NBA. Just look at Wemby's fortunes in 2024-25, everything went from awesome to ruh-roh real quick.
1 guy wont win it all with the super teams, but one guy can certainly attract other players and make a team relevant again.
Dude are you just arguing with me here for the sake of arguing? Sure, 1 guy may eventually attract other stars but usually not until he's on his 2nd or 3rd contract. Go look at the highest touted NBA players going 1st overall over the past 30 years, there were only four other players that came into the league with similar type of hype as Cooper Flagg in 2025...
1) Tim Duncan who went to a great situation in SA who already had an MVP on the roster in Robinson but the Spurs were the epitome of draft & develop not big free agent spenders.
2) Lebron to Cleveland in '03 and he didn't attract elite players until signing with Miami in year 8.
3) Zion with New Orleans and outside of the fact that he ate his way to becoming the NBA's version of Fat Albert no star players ever rushed to join him in NO.
4) Wemby in 2023 and he was really the only legit attraction if we're counting De'Aaron Fox but the Wemby discussion got put on hold obviously and I'd say that Fox alone isn't a game changer.
As for the money part, we've already pointed out that these elite players are getting paid a ton of money before hitting the league.
I have never once wasted anytime arguing with anyone for the sake of arguing and talking sports isnt arguing for fun.
Im honestly not really sure what the disconnect is here. NBA players getting drafted at the top should go to the league and colleges would have to spend a ton of money to keep them. In the case of Flagg they probably arent interested in that type of money as he played a role in giving that game away.
The only thing I really pointed out was that an elite basketball player is much more important than a QB. Theres a reason why the Browns and Jets cant ever figure out their QB with top 5 picks but Lebron can take over games right when he enters the league and get not very good Cavs teams to the playoffs
@Basebal21 said: Where you go isnt as much of a concern in the NBA other than where youd be living given that one player can turn a franchise around
Sure it is, there are some teams that have shown throughout the years that their front offices/ownership are completely incompetent and even with a kid that looks as can't miss as Flagg, he alone won't turn around a franchise into a contender.
The NBA isn't the NFL where if you land a franchise QB your team's fortunes have pretty much changed overnight, in the NBA you're either a destination spot (usually on the west coast) or your a team that continually drafts & develops good players at a high rate, everyone else is either middle class at best or repeatedly in the lottery.
Landing one generational type player in the draft doesn't guarantee a thing and that injury risk that we were talking above could just as easily happen in the NBA. Just look at Wemby's fortunes in 2024-25, everything went from awesome to ruh-roh real quick.
1 guy wont win it all with the super teams, but one guy can certainly attract other players and make a team relevant again.
Dude are you just arguing with me here for the sake of arguing? Sure, 1 guy may eventually attract other stars but usually not until he's on his 2nd or 3rd contract. Go look at the highest touted NBA players going 1st overall over the past 30 years, there were only four other players that came into the league with similar type of hype as Cooper Flagg in 2025...
1) Tim Duncan who went to a great situation in SA who already had an MVP on the roster in Robinson but the Spurs were the epitome of draft & develop not big free agent spenders.
2) Lebron to Cleveland in '03 and he didn't attract elite players until signing with Miami in year 8.
3) Zion with New Orleans and outside of the fact that he ate his way to becoming the NBA's version of Fat Albert no star players ever rushed to join him in NO.
4) Wemby in 2023 and he was really the only legit attraction if we're counting De'Aaron Fox but the Wemby discussion got put on hold obviously and I'd say that Fox alone isn't a game changer.
As for the money part, we've already pointed out that these elite players are getting paid a ton of money before hitting the league.
I have never once wasted anytime arguing with anyone for the sake of arguing and talking sports isnt arguing for fun.
Fair enough. My apologies for coming out barking.
Im honestly not really sure what the disconnect is here. NBA players getting drafted at the top should go to the league and colleges would have to spend a ton of money to keep them. In the case of Flagg they probably arent interested in that type of money as he played a role in giving that game away.
If Duke had any say in keeping Cooper Flagg around for another season they would do it in a heartbeat regardless of potential cost or how he may have played in a 2 minutes stretch at the end of his last game. He was by far the best player in college basketball which meant there was considerably more eyes on Duke basketball than just a normal year, the cost would have paid for itself.
The only thing I really pointed out was that an elite basketball player is much more important than a QB. Theres a reason why the Browns and Jets cant ever figure out their QB with top 5 picks but Lebron can take over games right when he enters the league and get not very good Cavs teams to the playoffs
Lebron was a rare case though and instances like that throughout NBA history could be counted on one, maybe two, hands. He never really attracted other stars to Cleveland during his first stint there either which lasted two contracts.
My point with Flagg keeping an eye on where he could possibly end up was just pointing out that. you end up where you end up for better or worse, and for the majority of time you're pretty much stuck there likely for the length of two contracts. There are no guarantees that your new team will get any better outside of being lucky enough to win the lottery for you. Maybe if you're great enough down the line you can convince stars to come to you but if it ends up being with a crappy franchise that's not probably not going to happen. You have to be either that destination OR capable of drafting other good players to surround him with because if they're not one of the two, then you're just going through the motions until you ultimately get paid and can then leave.
Dont worry about it it happens sometimes. I dont take it personally and no need to apologize
If Duke had any say in keeping Cooper Flagg around for another season they would do it in a heartbeat regardless of potential cost or how he may have played in a 2 minutes stretch at the end of his last game. He was by far the best player in college basketball which meant there was considerably more eyes on Duke basketball than just a normal year, the cost would have paid for itself.
I am a big fan of Flagg and what he can do I just dont see Duke wanting to spend the amount of money it would take to keep him, or him giving them a discount to come back.
Lebron was a rare case though and instances like that throughout NBA history could be counted on one, maybe two, hands. He never really attracted other stars to Cleveland during his first stint there either which lasted two contracts.
Certainly a rare talent like Jordan and Jokic which I probably spelled wrong.
My point with Flagg keeping an eye on where he could possibly end up was just pointing out that. you end up where you end up for better or worse, and for the majority of time you're pretty much stuck there likely for the length of two contracts. There are no guarantees that your new team will get any better outside of being lucky enough to win the lottery for you. Maybe if you're great enough down the line you can convince stars to come to you but if it ends up being with a crappy franchise that's not probably not going to happen. You have to be either that destination OR capable of drafting other good players to surround him with because if they're not one of the two, then you're just going through the motions until you ultimately get paid and can then leave.
I certainly understand that. I just dont think it matters as much for NBA players when youre the stud as much as it would matter for other major sports/ The NBA teams can pay guys with the smaller roster and a top draft picks get a bit more and end up the face of the franchise
My point with Flagg keeping an eye on where he could possibly end up was just pointing out that. you end up where you end up for better or worse, and for the majority of time you're pretty much stuck there likely for the length of two contracts. There are no guarantees that your new team will get any better outside of being lucky enough to win the lottery for you. Maybe if you're great enough down the line you can convince stars to come to you but if it ends up being with a crappy franchise that's not probably not going to happen. You have to be either that destination OR capable of drafting other good players to surround him with because if they're not one of the two, then you're just going through the motions until you ultimately get paid and can then leave.
I certainly understand that. I just dont think it matters as much for NBA players when youre the stud as much as it would matter for other major sports/ The NBA teams can pay guys with the smaller roster and a top draft picks get a bit more and end up the face of the franchise
I listened to a Bill Simmons pod yesterday and i think that he made the most compelling case for Flagg to not stick around, it starts the countdown until he's able to sign a rookie supermax extension. I checked out the numbers for that and they were 5yrs/225M which could even be higher by the time Flagg signs his.
My previous point above, that I did a horrible job putting into words, was that I didn't think Cooper signing his first NBA contract would affect him as much as it would have in a previous era due to his NIL money but getting to that 40+M/yr salary as quick as possible makes all the sense in the world to not stick around Duke.
I also have a question for you over in the Pats thread when you get a chance.
My point with Flagg keeping an eye on where he could possibly end up was just pointing out that. you end up where you end up for better or worse, and for the majority of time you're pretty much stuck there likely for the length of two contracts. There are no guarantees that your new team will get any better outside of being lucky enough to win the lottery for you. Maybe if you're great enough down the line you can convince stars to come to you but if it ends up being with a crappy franchise that's not probably not going to happen. You have to be either that destination OR capable of drafting other good players to surround him with because if they're not one of the two, then you're just going through the motions until you ultimately get paid and can then leave.
I certainly understand that. I just dont think it matters as much for NBA players when youre the stud as much as it would matter for other major sports/ The NBA teams can pay guys with the smaller roster and a top draft picks get a bit more and end up the face of the franchise
I listened to a Bill Simmons pod yesterday and i think that he made the most compelling case for Flagg to not stick around, it starts the countdown until he's able to sign a rookie supermax extension. I checked out the numbers for that and they were 5yrs/225M which could even be higher by the time Flagg signs his.
My previous point above, that I did a horrible job putting into words, was that I didn't think Cooper signing his first NBA contract would affect him as much as it would have in a previous era due to his NIL money but getting to that 40+M/yr salary as quick as possible makes all the sense in the world to not stick around Duke.
I also have a question for you over in the Pats thread when you get a chance.
I mean all the blue blood programs have been paying players long before NIL lol. But yea having that legally in the open certainly helps but like Simmons said that second contract is the big one. I dont think NIL is going to have the impact on college basketball that we are seeing it have on college baseball and college football. Speaking of the Pats question Carson Beck who was projected to be a first rounder and would be drafted at the end after struggling this year decided to stay in college where he will make more than he would have with his draft position. Baseball same thing with HS guys going to college where they make more and dont have to spend all their time riding around on a bus in the Carolinas. With basketball the first round really is the only one that really matters and all those guys will get so much money to go pro the college programs dont really want to blow their whole budget to stop it.
My point with Flagg keeping an eye on where he could possibly end up was just pointing out that. you end up where you end up for better or worse, and for the majority of time you're pretty much stuck there likely for the length of two contracts. There are no guarantees that your new team will get any better outside of being lucky enough to win the lottery for you. Maybe if you're great enough down the line you can convince stars to come to you but if it ends up being with a crappy franchise that's not probably not going to happen. You have to be either that destination OR capable of drafting other good players to surround him with because if they're not one of the two, then you're just going through the motions until you ultimately get paid and can then leave.
I certainly understand that. I just dont think it matters as much for NBA players when youre the stud as much as it would matter for other major sports/ The NBA teams can pay guys with the smaller roster and a top draft picks get a bit more and end up the face of the franchise
I listened to a Bill Simmons pod yesterday and i think that he made the most compelling case for Flagg to not stick around, it starts the countdown until he's able to sign a rookie supermax extension. I checked out the numbers for that and they were 5yrs/225M which could even be higher by the time Flagg signs his.
My previous point above, that I did a horrible job putting into words, was that I didn't think Cooper signing his first NBA contract would affect him as much as it would have in a previous era due to his NIL money but getting to that 40+M/yr salary as quick as possible makes all the sense in the world to not stick around Duke.
I also have a question for you over in the Pats thread when you get a chance.
I mean all the blue blood programs have been paying players long before NIL lol. But yea having that legally in the open certainly helps but like Simmons said that second contract is the big one. I dont think NIL is going to have the impact on college basketball that we are seeing it have on college baseball and college football. Speaking of the Pats question Carson Beck who was projected to be a first rounder and would be drafted at the end after struggling this year decided to stay in college where he will make more than he would have with his draft position. Baseball same thing with HS guys going to college where they make more and dont have to spend all their time riding around on a bus in the Carolinas. With basketball the first round really is the only one that really matters and all those guys will get so much money to go pro the college programs dont really want to blow their whole budget to stop it.
To add to that last part, someone like Cooper Flagg is probably going to make a ton in additional off the court money once he gets to that first destination after he's drafted.
Baseball same thing with HS guys going to college where they make more and dont have to spend all their time riding around on a bus in the Carolinas.
I don't know, that sort of sounds like a good gig if you could get it, I get to play in the games, skip out on class, run around the dorm rooms AND I'm going to get paid on top of all that? Sign me up. 😎
My point with Flagg keeping an eye on where he could possibly end up was just pointing out that. you end up where you end up for better or worse, and for the majority of time you're pretty much stuck there likely for the length of two contracts. There are no guarantees that your new team will get any better outside of being lucky enough to win the lottery for you. Maybe if you're great enough down the line you can convince stars to come to you but if it ends up being with a crappy franchise that's not probably not going to happen. You have to be either that destination OR capable of drafting other good players to surround him with because if they're not one of the two, then you're just going through the motions until you ultimately get paid and can then leave.
I certainly understand that. I just dont think it matters as much for NBA players when youre the stud as much as it would matter for other major sports/ The NBA teams can pay guys with the smaller roster and a top draft picks get a bit more and end up the face of the franchise
I listened to a Bill Simmons pod yesterday and i think that he made the most compelling case for Flagg to not stick around, it starts the countdown until he's able to sign a rookie supermax extension. I checked out the numbers for that and they were 5yrs/225M which could even be higher by the time Flagg signs his.
My previous point above, that I did a horrible job putting into words, was that I didn't think Cooper signing his first NBA contract would affect him as much as it would have in a previous era due to his NIL money but getting to that 40+M/yr salary as quick as possible makes all the sense in the world to not stick around Duke.
I also have a question for you over in the Pats thread when you get a chance.
I mean all the blue blood programs have been paying players long before NIL lol. But yea having that legally in the open certainly helps but like Simmons said that second contract is the big one. I dont think NIL is going to have the impact on college basketball that we are seeing it have on college baseball and college football. Speaking of the Pats question Carson Beck who was projected to be a first rounder and would be drafted at the end after struggling this year decided to stay in college where he will make more than he would have with his draft position. Baseball same thing with HS guys going to college where they make more and dont have to spend all their time riding around on a bus in the Carolinas. With basketball the first round really is the only one that really matters and all those guys will get so much money to go pro the college programs dont really want to blow their whole budget to stop it.
To add to that last part, someone like Cooper Flagg is probably going to make a ton in additional off the court money once he gets to that first destination after he's drafted.
Baseball same thing with HS guys going to college where they make more and dont have to spend all their time riding around on a bus in the Carolinas.
I don't know, that sort of sounds like a good gig if you could get it, I get to play in the games, skip out on class, run around the dorm rooms AND I'm going to get paid on top of all that? Sign me up. 😎
Its a very good gig and you might even land a Livvy Dunne lol. For baseball Theres a lot of guys playing in college right now that would have taken the pro contract out of HS in years past but are now going to college and even staying sometimes which has really closed the gap between the minors and college.
For Flagg unless hes locked into his NIL deals I bet he gets at least one big time endorsement deal right after the draft
My point with Flagg keeping an eye on where he could possibly end up was just pointing out that. you end up where you end up for better or worse, and for the majority of time you're pretty much stuck there likely for the length of two contracts. There are no guarantees that your new team will get any better outside of being lucky enough to win the lottery for you. Maybe if you're great enough down the line you can convince stars to come to you but if it ends up being with a crappy franchise that's not probably not going to happen. You have to be either that destination OR capable of drafting other good players to surround him with because if they're not one of the two, then you're just going through the motions until you ultimately get paid and can then leave.
I certainly understand that. I just dont think it matters as much for NBA players when youre the stud as much as it would matter for other major sports/ The NBA teams can pay guys with the smaller roster and a top draft picks get a bit more and end up the face of the franchise
I listened to a Bill Simmons pod yesterday and i think that he made the most compelling case for Flagg to not stick around, it starts the countdown until he's able to sign a rookie supermax extension. I checked out the numbers for that and they were 5yrs/225M which could even be higher by the time Flagg signs his.
My previous point above, that I did a horrible job putting into words, was that I didn't think Cooper signing his first NBA contract would affect him as much as it would have in a previous era due to his NIL money but getting to that 40+M/yr salary as quick as possible makes all the sense in the world to not stick around Duke.
I also have a question for you over in the Pats thread when you get a chance.
I mean all the blue blood programs have been paying players long before NIL lol. But yea having that legally in the open certainly helps but like Simmons said that second contract is the big one. I dont think NIL is going to have the impact on college basketball that we are seeing it have on college baseball and college football. Speaking of the Pats question Carson Beck who was projected to be a first rounder and would be drafted at the end after struggling this year decided to stay in college where he will make more than he would have with his draft position. Baseball same thing with HS guys going to college where they make more and dont have to spend all their time riding around on a bus in the Carolinas. With basketball the first round really is the only one that really matters and all those guys will get so much money to go pro the college programs dont really want to blow their whole budget to stop it.
To add to that last part, someone like Cooper Flagg is probably going to make a ton in additional off the court money once he gets to that first destination after he's drafted.
Baseball same thing with HS guys going to college where they make more and dont have to spend all their time riding around on a bus in the Carolinas.
I don't know, that sort of sounds like a good gig if you could get it, I get to play in the games, skip out on class, run around the dorm rooms AND I'm going to get paid on top of all that? Sign me up. 😎
Its a very good gig and you might even land a Livvy Dunne lol.
Life’s good when it then leads to a matching action figure set. 😉
My point with Flagg keeping an eye on where he could possibly end up was just pointing out that. you end up where you end up for better or worse, and for the majority of time you're pretty much stuck there likely for the length of two contracts. There are no guarantees that your new team will get any better outside of being lucky enough to win the lottery for you. Maybe if you're great enough down the line you can convince stars to come to you but if it ends up being with a crappy franchise that's not probably not going to happen. You have to be either that destination OR capable of drafting other good players to surround him with because if they're not one of the two, then you're just going through the motions until you ultimately get paid and can then leave.
I certainly understand that. I just dont think it matters as much for NBA players when youre the stud as much as it would matter for other major sports/ The NBA teams can pay guys with the smaller roster and a top draft picks get a bit more and end up the face of the franchise
I listened to a Bill Simmons pod yesterday and i think that he made the most compelling case for Flagg to not stick around, it starts the countdown until he's able to sign a rookie supermax extension. I checked out the numbers for that and they were 5yrs/225M which could even be higher by the time Flagg signs his.
My previous point above, that I did a horrible job putting into words, was that I didn't think Cooper signing his first NBA contract would affect him as much as it would have in a previous era due to his NIL money but getting to that 40+M/yr salary as quick as possible makes all the sense in the world to not stick around Duke.
I also have a question for you over in the Pats thread when you get a chance.
I mean all the blue blood programs have been paying players long before NIL lol. But yea having that legally in the open certainly helps but like Simmons said that second contract is the big one. I dont think NIL is going to have the impact on college basketball that we are seeing it have on college baseball and college football. Speaking of the Pats question Carson Beck who was projected to be a first rounder and would be drafted at the end after struggling this year decided to stay in college where he will make more than he would have with his draft position. Baseball same thing with HS guys going to college where they make more and dont have to spend all their time riding around on a bus in the Carolinas. With basketball the first round really is the only one that really matters and all those guys will get so much money to go pro the college programs dont really want to blow their whole budget to stop it.
To add to that last part, someone like Cooper Flagg is probably going to make a ton in additional off the court money once he gets to that first destination after he's drafted.
Baseball same thing with HS guys going to college where they make more and dont have to spend all their time riding around on a bus in the Carolinas.
I don't know, that sort of sounds like a good gig if you could get it, I get to play in the games, skip out on class, run around the dorm rooms AND I'm going to get paid on top of all that? Sign me up. 😎
Its a very good gig and you might even land a Livvy Dunne lol.
Life’s good when it then leads to a matching action figure set. 😉
Whys he throwing a punch lol. If thats real I might have to try and find one of those
My point with Flagg keeping an eye on where he could possibly end up was just pointing out that. you end up where you end up for better or worse, and for the majority of time you're pretty much stuck there likely for the length of two contracts. There are no guarantees that your new team will get any better outside of being lucky enough to win the lottery for you. Maybe if you're great enough down the line you can convince stars to come to you but if it ends up being with a crappy franchise that's not probably not going to happen. You have to be either that destination OR capable of drafting other good players to surround him with because if they're not one of the two, then you're just going through the motions until you ultimately get paid and can then leave.
I certainly understand that. I just dont think it matters as much for NBA players when youre the stud as much as it would matter for other major sports/ The NBA teams can pay guys with the smaller roster and a top draft picks get a bit more and end up the face of the franchise
I listened to a Bill Simmons pod yesterday and i think that he made the most compelling case for Flagg to not stick around, it starts the countdown until he's able to sign a rookie supermax extension. I checked out the numbers for that and they were 5yrs/225M which could even be higher by the time Flagg signs his.
My previous point above, that I did a horrible job putting into words, was that I didn't think Cooper signing his first NBA contract would affect him as much as it would have in a previous era due to his NIL money but getting to that 40+M/yr salary as quick as possible makes all the sense in the world to not stick around Duke.
I also have a question for you over in the Pats thread when you get a chance.
I mean all the blue blood programs have been paying players long before NIL lol. But yea having that legally in the open certainly helps but like Simmons said that second contract is the big one. I dont think NIL is going to have the impact on college basketball that we are seeing it have on college baseball and college football. Speaking of the Pats question Carson Beck who was projected to be a first rounder and would be drafted at the end after struggling this year decided to stay in college where he will make more than he would have with his draft position. Baseball same thing with HS guys going to college where they make more and dont have to spend all their time riding around on a bus in the Carolinas. With basketball the first round really is the only one that really matters and all those guys will get so much money to go pro the college programs dont really want to blow their whole budget to stop it.
To add to that last part, someone like Cooper Flagg is probably going to make a ton in additional off the court money once he gets to that first destination after he's drafted.
Baseball same thing with HS guys going to college where they make more and dont have to spend all their time riding around on a bus in the Carolinas.
I don't know, that sort of sounds like a good gig if you could get it, I get to play in the games, skip out on class, run around the dorm rooms AND I'm going to get paid on top of all that? Sign me up. 😎
Its a very good gig and you might even land a Livvy Dunne lol.
Life’s good when it then leads to a matching action figure set. 😉
Whys he throwing a punch lol. If thats real I might have to try and find one of those
He be fightin' for that Topps MLB Debut patch auto so he gets to keep Livvy all to himself. Honestly, I didn't even think to check to see if that was real or not lol, just came across it on IG. There were a handful of other players as well, Shohei & Tatis were two of them.
My point with Flagg keeping an eye on where he could possibly end up was just pointing out that. you end up where you end up for better or worse, and for the majority of time you're pretty much stuck there likely for the length of two contracts. There are no guarantees that your new team will get any better outside of being lucky enough to win the lottery for you. Maybe if you're great enough down the line you can convince stars to come to you but if it ends up being with a crappy franchise that's not probably not going to happen. You have to be either that destination OR capable of drafting other good players to surround him with because if they're not one of the two, then you're just going through the motions until you ultimately get paid and can then leave.
I certainly understand that. I just dont think it matters as much for NBA players when youre the stud as much as it would matter for other major sports/ The NBA teams can pay guys with the smaller roster and a top draft picks get a bit more and end up the face of the franchise
I listened to a Bill Simmons pod yesterday and i think that he made the most compelling case for Flagg to not stick around, it starts the countdown until he's able to sign a rookie supermax extension. I checked out the numbers for that and they were 5yrs/225M which could even be higher by the time Flagg signs his.
My previous point above, that I did a horrible job putting into words, was that I didn't think Cooper signing his first NBA contract would affect him as much as it would have in a previous era due to his NIL money but getting to that 40+M/yr salary as quick as possible makes all the sense in the world to not stick around Duke.
I also have a question for you over in the Pats thread when you get a chance.
I mean all the blue blood programs have been paying players long before NIL lol. But yea having that legally in the open certainly helps but like Simmons said that second contract is the big one. I dont think NIL is going to have the impact on college basketball that we are seeing it have on college baseball and college football. Speaking of the Pats question Carson Beck who was projected to be a first rounder and would be drafted at the end after struggling this year decided to stay in college where he will make more than he would have with his draft position. Baseball same thing with HS guys going to college where they make more and dont have to spend all their time riding around on a bus in the Carolinas. With basketball the first round really is the only one that really matters and all those guys will get so much money to go pro the college programs dont really want to blow their whole budget to stop it.
To add to that last part, someone like Cooper Flagg is probably going to make a ton in additional off the court money once he gets to that first destination after he's drafted.
Baseball same thing with HS guys going to college where they make more and dont have to spend all their time riding around on a bus in the Carolinas.
I don't know, that sort of sounds like a good gig if you could get it, I get to play in the games, skip out on class, run around the dorm rooms AND I'm going to get paid on top of all that? Sign me up. 😎
Its a very good gig and you might even land a Livvy Dunne lol.
Life’s good when it then leads to a matching action figure set. 😉
Whys he throwing a punch lol. If thats real I might have to try and find one of those
He be fightin' for that Topps MLB Debut patch auto so he gets to keep Livvy all to himself. Honestly, I didn't even think to check to see if that was real or not lol, just came across it on IG. There were a handful of other players as well, Shohei & Tatis were two of them.
Ive seen the Topps card they have together where shes super excited and he looks like he wants to be anywhere but there lol. I dont really to much attention to action figures though but do think that ones funny if real.
If you want a good laugh though check out the interview they did with each other where the question was him asking what is my favorite thing about you. She just starts trying to hold back laughter and was like my personality and he just goes yea i guess so
Comments
I had no play in the games today. I really enjoyed the Duke/Houston tilt. Right down to the wire.
Well, I guess I was way wrong. Half way through the second half, I was certain that Duke would close out an easy victory. And then it all fell apart for Duke. I guess you never know in competitive sports. Strange things can and do happen. That's why you keep fighting until it's all over!
that was one of the biggest choke jobs i've ever seen
Duke was up 6 and had the ball with less than a minute left.......and lost by 3
if a team actually tried to do that it would be tough
you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
For a moment I thought coach k was going to come out of the stands to coach the last minute.
That last shot by Duke was horrific
I cannot believe Duke lost
WOW
Congrats to Houston
I missed the Florida/Auburn game but the 2nd game definitely lived up to the hype. That Houston defense was no joke especially down the stretch and hats off to center J'Wan Roberts, a 63% FT shooter, for nailing the tying and go ahead FTs.
Its going to be interesting to see if this loss fuels Cooper Flagg enough to possibly return to Duke for a second season. That happens and I bet that we'll all hear a collective "#$%^" heard across NBA front offices lol.
Eric
Erikthredd’s MJ Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/publishedset/395035
Erikthredd’s Nike Air Jordan Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/basketball/key-card-sets/nike-poster-cards-michael-jordan-1985-1992/alltimeset/408486
i say next to no chance of that, especially after that meltdown for the ages
plus the injury risk, which he already got a taste of this season
if i'm him i'm long gone
you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
If I were him I'd leave that option open until I see which team gets the #1 pick because there'd be zero chance in hell that I'd want to end up in Charlotte or Washington for the first half of my career. Imagining that he'd be stuck as the running mate to Lamello Ball or Jordan Poole would be the equivalent to basketball purgatory lol.
He's already getting paid close to 5M in MIL money so the potential injury risk wouldn't hurt him like it may have 20-30yrs ago. I do agree though that he's probably lone gone at this point especially after he went through the process of reclassifying himself as part of the 2024 high school class so he could be able to be one & done in college. Technically he should have been a HS senior right now.
Eric
Erikthredd’s MJ Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/publishedset/395035
Erikthredd’s Nike Air Jordan Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/basketball/key-card-sets/nike-poster-cards-michael-jordan-1985-1992/alltimeset/408486
Cooper Flagg was one hell of a ride for us down here in North Carolina, you don't get players like that very often, best player in college basketball this season, wish he would come back but don't think it will happen. Anyway, one hell of a ride.
Duke was still paying basketball players back then lol. I still dont really understand why the NBA doesnt let HS players go pro right away anymore, I get why the NFL does it. The NBA ones just reclassify more and more so its basically the same time frame.
Duke could get Flagg back, but I dont think theyre interested in spending the type of money it would take. Where you go isnt as much of a concern in the NBA other than where youd be living given that one player can turn a franchise around
Fire AJ Preller
Sure it is, there are some teams that have shown throughout the years that their front offices/ownership are completely incompetent and even with a kid that looks as can't miss as Flagg, he alone won't turn around a franchise into a contender.
The NBA isn't the NFL where if you land a franchise QB your team's fortunes have pretty much changed overnight, in the NBA you're either a destination spot (usually on the west coast) or your a team that continually drafts & develops good players at a high rate, everyone else is either middle class at best or repeatedly in the lottery.
Landing one generational type player in the draft doesn't guarantee a thing and that injury risk that we were talking above could just as easily happen in the NBA. Just look at Wemby's fortunes in 2024-25, everything went from awesome to ruh-roh real quick.
Eric
Erikthredd’s MJ Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/publishedset/395035
Erikthredd’s Nike Air Jordan Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/basketball/key-card-sets/nike-poster-cards-michael-jordan-1985-1992/alltimeset/408486
1 guy wont win it all with the super teams, but one guy can certainly attract other players and make a team relevant again.
I would disagree with the NBA NFL comparison. The best QB in the world is going to be bad if the 10 guys around him are bad and doesnt even play half the game. A franchise QB is just as likely to be ruined by his team as he is to help them. A NBA player can still put up 30+ a game even on bad teams and make them relevant.
Wemby is just a freakishly tall human. Humans just arent supposed to be that tall. You can get lazy and eat your way out of the league like Panda did in baseball and Zion seems like he will in a couple years, but basketball players have the biggest impact on their teams performance in major sports with 5 players on the court playing both ways. Either way theyre going to make a ton of money getting drafted at the top
Fire AJ Preller
Dude are you just arguing with me here for the sake of arguing? Sure, 1 guy may eventually attract other stars but usually not until he's on his 2nd or 3rd contract. Go look at the highest touted NBA players going 1st overall over the past 30 years, there were only four other players that came into the league with similar type of hype as Cooper Flagg in 2025...
1) Tim Duncan who went to a great situation in SA who already had an MVP on the roster in Robinson but the Spurs were the epitome of draft & develop not big free agent spenders.
2) Lebron to Cleveland in '03 and he didn't attract elite players until signing with Miami in year 8.
3) Zion with New Orleans and outside of the fact that he ate his way to becoming the NBA's version of Fat Albert no star players ever rushed to join him in NO.
4) Wemby in 2023 and he was really the only legit attraction if we're counting De'Aaron Fox but the Wemby discussion got put on hold obviously and I'd say that Fox alone isn't a game changer.
As for the money part, we've already pointed out that these elite players are getting paid a ton of money before hitting the league.
Eric
Erikthredd’s MJ Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/publishedset/395035
Erikthredd’s Nike Air Jordan Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/basketball/key-card-sets/nike-poster-cards-michael-jordan-1985-1992/alltimeset/408486
I have never once wasted anytime arguing with anyone for the sake of arguing and talking sports isnt arguing for fun.
Im honestly not really sure what the disconnect is here. NBA players getting drafted at the top should go to the league and colleges would have to spend a ton of money to keep them. In the case of Flagg they probably arent interested in that type of money as he played a role in giving that game away.
The only thing I really pointed out was that an elite basketball player is much more important than a QB. Theres a reason why the Browns and Jets cant ever figure out their QB with top 5 picks but Lebron can take over games right when he enters the league and get not very good Cavs teams to the playoffs
Fire AJ Preller
Fair enough. My apologies for coming out barking.
If Duke had any say in keeping Cooper Flagg around for another season they would do it in a heartbeat regardless of potential cost or how he may have played in a 2 minutes stretch at the end of his last game. He was by far the best player in college basketball which meant there was considerably more eyes on Duke basketball than just a normal year, the cost would have paid for itself.
Lebron was a rare case though and instances like that throughout NBA history could be counted on one, maybe two, hands. He never really attracted other stars to Cleveland during his first stint there either which lasted two contracts.
My point with Flagg keeping an eye on where he could possibly end up was just pointing out that. you end up where you end up for better or worse, and for the majority of time you're pretty much stuck there likely for the length of two contracts. There are no guarantees that your new team will get any better outside of being lucky enough to win the lottery for you. Maybe if you're great enough down the line you can convince stars to come to you but if it ends up being with a crappy franchise that's not probably not going to happen. You have to be either that destination OR capable of drafting other good players to surround him with because if they're not one of the two, then you're just going through the motions until you ultimately get paid and can then leave.
Eric
Erikthredd’s MJ Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/publishedset/395035
Erikthredd’s Nike Air Jordan Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/basketball/key-card-sets/nike-poster-cards-michael-jordan-1985-1992/alltimeset/408486
Hard to pick a winner tonight.
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Dont worry about it it happens sometimes. I dont take it personally and no need to apologize
I am a big fan of Flagg and what he can do I just dont see Duke wanting to spend the amount of money it would take to keep him, or him giving them a discount to come back.
Certainly a rare talent like Jordan and Jokic which I probably spelled wrong.
I certainly understand that. I just dont think it matters as much for NBA players when youre the stud as much as it would matter for other major sports/ The NBA teams can pay guys with the smaller roster and a top draft picks get a bit more and end up the face of the franchise
Fire AJ Preller
Well that sure was a strange way for Houston to lose at the end...............
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Refs kinda made themselves the star of the show with all the fouls on both sides in the second half but was an exciting game
Fire AJ Preller
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Houston blows 2nd half 12 point lead.
Terry Bradshaw was AMAZING!!
Ohio State Buckeyes - National Champions
Would of at least like to have seen Houston get the shot off. For the drama effect of will it or won't it make it.
💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩
you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
I listened to a Bill Simmons pod yesterday and i think that he made the most compelling case for Flagg to not stick around, it starts the countdown until he's able to sign a rookie supermax extension. I checked out the numbers for that and they were 5yrs/225M which could even be higher by the time Flagg signs his.
My previous point above, that I did a horrible job putting into words, was that I didn't think Cooper signing his first NBA contract would affect him as much as it would have in a previous era due to his NIL money but getting to that 40+M/yr salary as quick as possible makes all the sense in the world to not stick around Duke.
I also have a question for you over in the Pats thread when you get a chance.
Eric
Erikthredd’s MJ Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/publishedset/395035
Erikthredd’s Nike Air Jordan Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/basketball/key-card-sets/nike-poster-cards-michael-jordan-1985-1992/alltimeset/408486
Congrats to Florida
Outstanding, the men's and women's finals are done and I managed to not watch a game or read anything about it till just now.
Man, I can't wait for Football!!!
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety," --- Benjamin Franklin
I've fired my proof reader.
sorry bro, i couldn't resist. i'm very immature like that. 💩
you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
I mean all the blue blood programs have been paying players long before NIL lol. But yea having that legally in the open certainly helps but like Simmons said that second contract is the big one. I dont think NIL is going to have the impact on college basketball that we are seeing it have on college baseball and college football. Speaking of the Pats question Carson Beck who was projected to be a first rounder and would be drafted at the end after struggling this year decided to stay in college where he will make more than he would have with his draft position. Baseball same thing with HS guys going to college where they make more and dont have to spend all their time riding around on a bus in the Carolinas. With basketball the first round really is the only one that really matters and all those guys will get so much money to go pro the college programs dont really want to blow their whole budget to stop it.
Fire AJ Preller
To add to that last part, someone like Cooper Flagg is probably going to make a ton in additional off the court money once he gets to that first destination after he's drafted.
Baseball same thing with HS guys going to college where they make more and dont have to spend all their time riding around on a bus in the Carolinas.
I don't know, that sort of sounds like a good gig if you could get it, I get to play in the games, skip out on class, run around the dorm rooms AND I'm going to get paid on top of all that? Sign me up. 😎
Eric
Erikthredd’s MJ Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/publishedset/395035
Erikthredd’s Nike Air Jordan Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/basketball/key-card-sets/nike-poster-cards-michael-jordan-1985-1992/alltimeset/408486
Its a very good gig and you might even land a Livvy Dunne lol. For baseball Theres a lot of guys playing in college right now that would have taken the pro contract out of HS in years past but are now going to college and even staying sometimes which has really closed the gap between the minors and college.
For Flagg unless hes locked into his NIL deals I bet he gets at least one big time endorsement deal right after the draft
Fire AJ Preller
I did not watch a single game of the March Madness Tournament this year.
I have lost interest in college hoops.
Life’s good when it then leads to a matching action figure set. 😉
Eric
Erikthredd’s MJ Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/publishedset/395035
Erikthredd’s Nike Air Jordan Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/basketball/key-card-sets/nike-poster-cards-michael-jordan-1985-1992/alltimeset/408486
Whys he throwing a punch lol. If thats real I might have to try and find one of those
Fire AJ Preller
He be fightin' for that Topps MLB Debut patch auto so he gets to keep Livvy all to himself. Honestly, I didn't even think to check to see if that was real or not lol, just came across it on IG. There were a handful of other players as well, Shohei & Tatis were two of them.
Eric
Erikthredd’s MJ Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/publishedset/395035
Erikthredd’s Nike Air Jordan Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/basketball/key-card-sets/nike-poster-cards-michael-jordan-1985-1992/alltimeset/408486
Ive seen the Topps card they have together where shes super excited and he looks like he wants to be anywhere but there lol. I dont really to much attention to action figures though but do think that ones funny if real.
If you want a good laugh though check out the interview they did with each other where the question was him asking what is my favorite thing about you. She just starts trying to hold back laughter and was like my personality and he just goes yea i guess so
Fire AJ Preller