Pick #2 - Strategies

[BatManu20]

#2 and 2 FRP’s for Flagg? Sign me in. I’m sure the Spurs too in a heartbeat.

On that note, Chris Webber wasn’t considered a generational talent. But I’d take Webber over Flagg anytime. Took Michigan twice to NCAA Finals. Flagg didn’t even get there once. Fab Five was crazy talented but as well as Flagg’s team. But Christian Laetner’s team with Grant Hill?

In Flagg's defense, he was essentially a high school Senior at 17-18 this season while Webber was a true Freshman and Sop re the years to led those Michigan teams. Bears mentioning.

With that said, Webber is one of the most underrated offensive talents in NBA history. He was overshadowed by the likes of Timmy, KG, and Dirk during his prime, but he was a monster in his own right during those early 2000's Playoff runs in Sacramento. Was robbed of an NBA Championship in 2002 by crooked officiating in the infamous Game 6 against the Lakers. of a player. He was never the same player after he tore his meniscus in the 2003 Playoffs though. That was effectively the end of his time as a franchise player.

[scottspurs]

It’s definitely out-of-the-box thinking to trade Wemby for another #1 generational player. Sure, the DVT issue could be a consideration if it was determined to be another Nephew type chronic condition, but a recent article talking about Wemby’s continuing growth by several inches may have other ramifications for his long term future. Getting taller isn’t really in his long term best interest.

Flagg is the best player in this draft. No debate. But he is not generational. His Athleticism at the combine was subpar. He may not be a go to guy on offense. He doesn’t have an elite skill. Great all around player with no weaknesses that could be a great two-way player but doesn’t have any rare traits.

I was born in 1986 and I would say generational talents in my lifetime are:

Shaquille O’Neal
Tim Duncan
LeBron James
Anthony Davis (Didn’t live up to that)
Victor Wembanyama

Thats the list. Period.

[OldMan88]

Here’s the article… https://www.poundingtherock.com/2025...-it-any-longer

I think Victor still has the potential to be a generational player, but the jury isn’t even making their deliberations because the case hasn’t been made. Hopefully he’ll make the case with the Spurs for his career and lives up to his potential. He’ll never be a low post banger traditional center, but could be the best “small” forward unicorn of all time.

[OldMan88]

Delete duplicate.

[exstatic]

Flagg is the best player in this draft. No debate. But he is not generational. His Athleticism at the combine was subpar. He may not be a go to guy on offense. He doesn’t have an elite skill. Great all around player with no weaknesses that could be a great two-way player but doesn’t have any rare traits.

I was born in 1986 and I would say generational talents in my lifetime are:

Shaquille O’Neal
Tim Duncan
LeBron James
Anthony Davis (Didn’t live up to that)
Victor Wembanyama

Thats the list. Period.

If you’re talking generational prospect, and this is a draft thread, you have to include Zion.

[John B]

In Flagg's defense, he was essentially a high school Senior at 17-18 this season while Webber was a true Freshman and Sop re the years to led those Michigan teams. Bears mentioning.

With that said, Webber is one of the most underrated offensive talents in NBA history. He was overshadowed by the likes of Timmy, KG, and Dirk during his prime, but he was a monster in his own right during those early 2000's Playoff runs in Sacramento. Was robbed of an NBA Championship in 2002 by crooked officiating in the infamous Game 6 against the Lakers. of a player. He was never the same player after he tore his meniscus in the 2003 Playoffs though. That was effectively the end of his time as a franchise player.

I agree. If you compare Flagg to Kevin Garnett, Chris Webber. Flagg is Jason Tatum without the tan as exstatic puts it. He’s very good but “generational talent” is a stretch.

[baseline bum]

Flagg is the best player in this draft. No debate. But he is not generational. His Athleticism at the combine was subpar. He may not be a go to guy on offense. He doesn’t have an elite skill. Great all around player with no weaknesses that could be a great two-way player but doesn’t have any rare traits.

I was born in 1986 and I would say generational talents in my lifetime are:

Shaquille O’Neal
Tim Duncan
LeBron James
Anthony Davis (Didn’t live up to that)
Victor Wembanyama

Thats the list. Period.

David Robinson 100% should be on that list too. He was unreal to watch in college and I remember praying the Spurs would somehow get him. He was a never before seen blend of size, speed, and agility. And never seen since. Greg Oden should probably be there too. He was considered just as good a prospect as LeBron and I remember NBA beat writers talking about him since he was like 15. Durant would have been the obvious #1 any other draft that decade other than 2003 and yet there probably wasn't a GM who would have passed on Oden for him.

[scottspurs]

If you’re talking generational prospect, and this is a draft thread, you have to include Zion.

If you are talking general consensus sure. I had concerns with the way he ran. Seemed like he was always limping. The other guy people would have considered generational was Greg Oden but I remember liking Durant more. I didn’t see Oden as a dominant player on offense. Only defense

[John B]

I don’t know what others definition of a “generational talent.” But to me:

Kareem, Magic, Jordan, Shaq, Curry

I love Timmy. But those people changed the landscape of the game on how it’s played and defended. I didn’t get to watch Wilt or Russell or Pistol Pete so I won’t include them on my list. But Timmy is top 3 in my GOAT discussion for being so good for so long, and making other people around him better, very much like Magic did with his passing.

Correction: Kareem and not Hakeem the Dream

[scottspurs]

David Robinson 100% should be on that list too. He was unreal to watch in college and I remember praying the Spurs would somehow get him. He was a never before seen blend of size, speed, and agility. And never seen since. Greg Oden should probably be there too. He was considered just as good a prospect as LeBron and I remember NBA beat writers talking about him since he was like 15. Durant would have been the obvious #1 any other draft that decade other than 2003 and yet there probably wasn't a GM who would have passed on Oden for him.

I was way too young to remember David Robinson coming out of college. That’s why I left him off. He was one of my heroes growing up and the reason I got into basketball but I was born in 1986. I’m sure there have been other great prospects. Wilt, Kareem, Ralph Sampson but that was before my time.

[scottspurs]

I don’t know what others definition of a “generational talent.” But to me:

Hakeem, Magic, Jordan, Shaq, Curry

I love Timmy. But those people changed the landscape of the game on how it’s played and defended. I didn’t get to watch Wilt or Russell or Pistol Pete so I won’t include them on my list. But Timmy is top 3 in my GOAT discussion for being so good for so long, and making other people around him better, very much like Magic did with his passing.

Generational players and generational talents are two different things. Talents is how great of a prospect they were coming out. Generational players are the ones who actually are the rare great players. Curry for example was not a generational talent as a prospect. Johnny Flynn got picked ahead of him lol. But he is most definitely a generational player. Best shooter of all-time

[scottspurs]

Also I’m a basketball historian but I can’t go back and tell you how great of a prospect a player was. I wasn’t alive back then lol. I didnt evaluate those players from the lens of not knowing what they would become.

[Extra Stout]

Don’t forget Lew Alcindor, later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, in 1969.

[John B]

Generational players and generational talents are two different things. Talents is how great of a prospect they were coming out. Generational players are the ones who actually are the rare great players. Curry for example was not a generational talent as a prospect. Johnny Flynn got picked ahead of him lol. But he is most definitely a generational player. Best shooter of all-time

Maybe you meant Generational Talent vs Generational Prospect. I would add Ewing, DRob, LeBron, Zion to prospects.

But going back to Flagg. He is a stretch. And he’s not even better than KG or Webber and they’re not on my list.

[scottspurs]

Maybe you meant Generational Talent vs Generational Prospect. I would add Ewing, DRob, LeBron, Zion to prospects.

But going back to Flagg. He is a stretch. And he’s not even better than KG or Webber and they’re not on my list.

yes generational prospects I was just using the word talent instead. But for lack of confusion I was talking about prospects in my lifetime

[K...]

what if post dvt wemby is not what we think, or like luka, the front office has had enough of the "i only shoot threes" diva and want a better coachable prospect? gotta trust pafto if they make the call

[scottspurs]

what if post dvt wemby is not what we think, or like luka, the front office has had enough of the "i only shoot threes" diva and want a better coachable prospect? gotta trust pafto if they make the call

lol if the Spurs trade Wemby after 2 seasons we riot. All faith lost in the front office. Burn it to the ground.

[John B]

And neither is Harper that much better because of his outside shot. It’s true 2025 is deep but nothing compared to 1984, 1996 or 2003 in All-Star, but potentially tons of good role players as there are good size, versatile players even at 2nd round, but remains to be seen.

To call Flagg a generational talent is a stretch, and 2025 draft is deep with “role players.”

[John B]

what if post dvt wemby is not what we think, or like luka, the front office has had enough of the "i only shoot threes" diva and want a better coachable prospect? gotta trust pafto if they make the call

Wemby represents “billions” of merchandise and jobs. I think you’d go worse than Saldivar as San Antonio’s most hated person if you trade Wemby.

[kobyz]

If you don't plan to trade fox, you should not draft harper who his value is as a ball dominant pg...

[John B]

If you don't plan to trade fox, you should not draft harper who his value is as a ball dominant pg...

You draft Harper because he’s the best player available period. It has nothing to do with Fox.

[baseline bum]

Don't draft Kobe Bryant because you have Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel

[pad300]

Flagg is the best player in this draft. No debate. But he is not generational. His Athleticism at the combine was subpar. He may not be a go to guy on offense. He doesn’t have an elite skill. Great all around player with no weaknesses that could be a great two-way player but doesn’t have any rare traits.

I was born in 1986 and I would say generational talents in my lifetime are:

Shaquille O’Neal
Tim Duncan
LeBron James
Anthony Davis (Didn’t live up to that)
Victor Wembanyama

Thats the list. Period.

Ok, so you rejected Zion and Oden... How about Luka, you know, the guy with the Euroleague MVP (and ACB MVP) at 18?

[baseline bum]

Ok, so you rejected Zion and Oden... How about Luka, you know, the guy with the Euroleague MVP (and ACB MVP) at 18?

Damn I forgot to bring him up. Lunacy that he lasted to #3 (and effectively #5) given he was MVP in a league that hates playing young guys headed to the NBA. I wanted that Sac #2 pick for Kawhi so badly to draft him.

[kobyz]

You draft Harper because he’s the best player available period. It has nothing to do with Fox.

You draft him but need to trade one of them as fox and harper can't coexist