Pick #2 - Strategies

[dn0774]

I think the reason nowadays Duncan isn't pegged 'generational' is because his player archetype was prevalent at the time (back-to-the-basket, fundamentally-sound big)..But if you read the press clippings pre-1997 draft he was definitely considered the next big, sure-thing. "Teams are tanking for him" was a well do ented chatter during that season. But I agree with the poster above, that the term 'generational' gets thrown around too liberally these days. Look no further than the Flagg case whose (over)hype reeks of typical "America next great white hope" discourse. Maybe I'm wrong because i'm not well versed in college hoops, but from what've watched I saw a Tatum-like well-rounded package, but nothing gets an (A+) in his game (at least so far). I don't think Flagg will be nearly as impactful as Doncic was for Dallas in his first six seasons (the latter was a generational offensive wizard/engine from the get go)..

In discussions with the most pro-Flagg people i've come across who claim he is generational and will be a superstar on both sides of the ball, I like to ask "what skill is he elite at?". The answer is almost always "well, his motor" and I can't help but laugh. I think he is an awesome overall prospect to be sure, very high floor, would've loved to have gotten the 1st pick to take him. But people saying he projects as a superstar offensively? No matter how hard I squint I just don't see it. I actually think Tatum level offense is an absolute best case scenario that I don't think he'll hit. I could absolutely be wrong and I look forward to watching every second he's on the floor in summer league/preseason/reg season because it promises to be entertaining.

[jesterbobman]

The Flagg case for generational is that he put up one of the best ever statistical seasons by a freshman in College, and was basically a full year younger than the others having reclassified. Pretty efficient as a wing, really good steal and block numbers, fine rebounding, really good passing numbers for a wing / forward.

He was under control in College, he made a bunch of spectacular help plays as a HS player.

I think generational gets thrown around too much, and as much as anything it's a hype / scouting / stats hybrid, but there is a case for Flagg belonging.

[pad300]

Well on the offensive end of the floor, Flagg is better than Tatum (when he came out of Duke) at just about everything.
https://www.tankathon.com/players/co...--jayson-tatum
In particular, Flagg is a significantly better and more willing passer than Duke Tatum...
On the defensive end, Tatum (at Duke) is just blown away...
Also, Flagg is also slightly bigger, 3/4 of a year younger, and (I suspect) a slightly better athlete (Tatum didn't do the combine testing, so that's my eye test...).

[exstatic]

To me, people are mixing and conflating the terms ‘generational’ and ‘clear cut #1 pick’.

The consensus ‘generational’ prospects of roughly the last 25 years were LeBron, Zion, and Wemby. Notice that Anthony Davis is not on that list. If he isn’t, then Flagg doesn’t belong, either. They are about the same level of prospect, although they are positionally different, or would be if AD weren’t such a pussy refusing to play center.

[szkorhetz]

To me, people are mixing and conflating the terms ‘generational’ and ‘clear cut #1 pick’.

The consensus ‘generational’ prospects of roughly the last 25 years were LeBron, Zion, and Wemby. Notice that Anthony Davis is not on that list. If he isn’t, then Flagg doesn’t belong, either. They are about the same level of prospect, although they are positionally different, or would be if AD weren’t such a pussy refusing to play center.

Davis was considered a generational.

[couchman]

I never considered AD a generational prospect but certainly some people did.

[couchman]

Mostly agree with your ideology, but when even BSPN has Duncan, I think it's safe to say he belongs.

Comparing the best draft prospects in (recent) history - ESPN

Duncan as a generational prospect is a borderline case for me.Theres a good case to be made that he was.
Expectations were very high for him.
But did people expect him to be better than Shaq (he was) and a top 10 all time player?
I don’t think they were quite that high and that’s why he barely missed the cut for me.

To be clear, I have TD as the 5th best player all time, and I had huge expectations when we won that lottery, so I get that perhaps I’m landing on the wrong side here

[Guru of Nothing]

I never considered AD a generational prospect but certainly some people did.

I hear Avery Johnson's voice when I read your posts. May I interest you in a new avatar.

[couchman]

Also, put me on the list of Karl Malone haters.
Jazz and Lakers are still the teams I hate most.

[exstatic]

Davis was considered a generational.

Even now, he isn’t usually spoken of in that conversation.

[CGD]

The playoffs proved you need big PG who can create his own shot and distribute. I have said all along Harper is the next coming of SGA, Cade, Harden or Halliburton. All 6'5 and up creating big PG.

I dont see that as the lesson of the playoffs at all. I see it more as successful teams have multiple creators on the floor at the same time, so when the first action blows up you have another outlet. Just see Ant and Brunson in this round.

In any case, that is precisely the case for taking Harper despite having the our guards.

[CGD]

Also, put me on the list of Karl Malone haters.
Jazz and Lakers are still the teams I hate most.

Karl Malone is a piece of crap.

As a player, he's in the same sad category as Melo, Dwight, Harden, LMA.

[LeBowen]

Karl Malone is a piece of crap.

True.

As a player, he's in the same sad category as Melo, Dwight, Harden, LMA.

Come on now, he's one of the best players ever regardless of the fact that he's a garbage human being.
Had 14 peak seasons, 154 playoff games with 27/11/3 average, not many players can compare with that.

LMA and Melo most definitely aren't in the same tier as Malone and Harden. Dwight is also better than them, it's just that his peak was way too short.

[rascal]

Karl Malone is a piece of crap.

As a player, he's in the same sad category as Melo, Dwight, Harden, LMA.

If you like Bowen then you should have no problem with Malone. Malone had an offensive game and was an all star.

Both known for cheap dirty play, Bowen even moreso because he would have out of the league had he relied on his offensive skills.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

If you like Bowen then you should have no problem with Malone.

This is the dumbest I’ve seen this year and I’ve been to reddit.

FFS.

[exstatic]

If you like Bowen then you should have no problem with Malone. Malone had an offensive game and was an all star.

Both known for cheap dirty play, Bowen even moreso because he would have out of the league had he relied on his offensive skills.

With Malone, it’s not only the on court stuff. He raped a 13 YO girl, and then denied paternity and ignores the daughter to this day. He’s a piece of .

[rascal]

This is the dumbest I’ve seen this year and I’ve been to reddit.

FFS.

For sure to a Homer Spur fan.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

For sure to a Homer Spur fan.

Proudly. Certainly better than a closet Laker fan.

[rascal]

Proudly. Certainly better than a closet Laker fan.

Not into the Lakers

[Ice009]

With Malone, it’s not only the on court stuff. He raped a 13 YO girl, and then denied paternity and ignores the daughter to this day. He’s a piece of .

Was it proven that it was rape, or was it consensual? Either way, that is not good at all.

[exstatic]

Was it proven that it was rape, or was it consensual? Either way, that is not good at all.

By law, a 13 YO cannot consent in any state.

[Ice009]

By law, a 13 YO cannot consent in any state.

Yeah, don't know what I was thinking (I've never thought about anything like this). I guess what I was getting at, even if the person can't legally consent at that age, if she did or didn't, but really, it's wrong any way you look at it.

[objective]

She gave birth at 13. It's possible she became pregnant at 12.

[Mr. Body]

And Karl Malone is a republican. Checks out. They're always molesting kids or covering for those who do.

[BackHome]

Epstein and Diddy - Just saying two proud Democrats