The 2024 NBA Draft class may not be the most impressive, but franchises with minimal prospects of clinching a championship can find comfort in the fact that Cooper Flagg, barring any unexpected developments, will be leading next year’s draft group. Flagg, the Duke forward, appears to be a transformative talent due to his anticipated defensive prowess along with his shot-creation capabilities.
However, in a statement that would certainly turn some heads, Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George likened the Duke prodigy to Michael Beasley during the latest episode of Podcast P with Paul George sponsored by Wave Sports + Entertainment.
“He’s impressive. He’s kinda reminiscent of Michael Beasley. At his size, he can score, can playmake. Exceptionally gifted. Just a game-changer. I don’t think people talk enough about how good Michael Beasley was or is. I still catch clips online of him doing unbelievable things. This guy is still playing,” George expressed.
Beasley possesses a style of play that garners respect and admiration from his contemporaries. He epitomizes the “that boy is talented” culture — a player capable of scoring effortlessly and moving fluidly around the court despite standing at 6’9″. The 76ers star certainly has a fondness for him since George himself is a smooth performer on the court, akin to Beasley.
Nonetheless, Beasley did not quite fulfill expectations compared to how high he was drafted. The Miami Heat selected him second overall in the 2008 NBA Draft, and he did not develop into an All-Star-level player. A rebounding powerhouse at Kansas State, Beasley transitioned into more of a finesse big or a tweener in the NBA, and the Heat considered him expendable when they recruited LeBron James and Chris Bosh in the summer of 2011.
Yet, George’s comparison of Cooper Flagg to Beasley isn’t completely off. Flagg is also adept at handling the ball as a 6’9″ forward, and at his peak, he can serve as a three-level scorer and a constant mismatch — similar to Beasley in his prime. What distinguishes the Duke prospect from Beasley is his defensive contribution. Flagg, if development proceeds as expected, may be a regular inclusion on All-Defensive Teams for years ahead owing to his exceptional perimeter defense and rim protection abilities.
Duke’s Cooper Flagg might bear a closer resemblance to Paolo Banchero than to Michael Beasley
While it may seem like an easy way out to draw a comparison between Cooper Flagg and another Duke alumnus in Paolo Banchero, Banchero indeed appears to be a much more fitting comparison to the anticipated first overall selection of the 2025 NBA Draft. Flagg, similar to Banchero, enjoys maneuvering the ball in pick-and-roll instances, and his athleticism allows him to excel from within the perimeter.
Banchero’s style of play is akin to what Michael Beasley’s could have been had he reached his full potential. The Orlando Magic star has emerged as one of the premier shot-creating forwards in the league, thriving in the midrange while also enhancing his teammates’ performances as a willing playmaker amid the defensive focus on him.
However, once more, the primary distinction that sets Flagg apart as a hopeful prospect is his defensive heritage. While Banchero is not lacking on the defensive end, his Duke successor simply possesses a different caliber on that front.
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