Cooper Flagg has the spotlight — but is he truly a generational talent? Matt Barnes, Keyon Dooling and J.R. Rider discuss the Duke freshman’s skill set and whether it’s built for the next level on All The Smoke Unplugged.
Duke’s Cooper Flagg has been named the AP Player of the Year, becoming the fourth freshman in college basketball history to win the award; the last freshman to do so was former Blue Devil Zion Williamson in 2019. He will lead the Blue Devils against the University of Houston on Saturday in a Final Four matchup in which Duke is a 5.5-point underdog at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Cooper Flagg has been named the AP player of the year! 🚨
He is the fourth freshman to win the award and first since Zion Williamson in 2019. pic.twitter.com/8wA7iqAL1x
— DraftKings Network (@DKNetwork) April 4, 2025
With the end of Flagg’s Duke tenure approaching, the guys draw player comparisons for Flagg to get a glimpse of what type of player he will be at the NBA level. Dooling views Flagg as a hybrid, possessing the skill set of a Jayson Tatum with the motor and quick second jumping ability of Shawn Marion. Dooling added that Flagg has this rare blend of high energy and skill set you don’t see every day. To Dooling’s point, you may come across highly skilled players who may not necessarily have a high motor. Dooling stressed that Flagg can impact a game in many different ways, whether it is playing hard-nosed defense, blocking shots, rebounding or even just his antics.
Rider shared that he has watched Flagg three or four times and he likes him a lot. Rider told the guys the first time he saw him, he was impressed. However, the fourth time he saw him, he was amazed at the different levels he can take his game when it is crunch time. He added that Flagg is a generational talent. Initially, he thought Flagg would transition to the next level as a situational player and for him to thrive it would have to be the right situation, team and fit. The more Rider watches Flagg, however, the more convinced he becomes that he will be a difference-maker regardless of what team he lands on. Rider also highlighted Flagg’s physical stature as an added difference maker, along with expanding his shooting range. Rider acknowledges that Flagg is showing he can shoot it from deep. Further, Rider pointed out that Flagg can also move effectively without the ball and even alludes to BYU basketball commit AJ Dybantsa as having similar potential.
Barnes emphasized that both Flagg and Dybantsa are great talents, but they also have a “f—in motor.” Barnes expressed that back in their day, having a motor was non-negotiable. In contrast, having the motor in today’s NBA is a skill set that he admits is crazy. He points out that we saw Flagg take his lumps this year, making mistakes like turning the ball over, but even amid that, Barnes believes that it has helped Flagg develop his game. Barnes said he is a fan of Flagg and Dybantsa. He shared that he had a chance to watch Dybantsa at Peach Jam and contends he has some of the similar intangibles to Flagg as far as locking in on both ends of the floor as well as energy, athleticism, hustle, dunks, playing defense, mid-range game, the ability to get to the basket and shoot the ball and not being afraid of the moment. Ultimately, Barnes believes that the projected next two No. 1 picks in the NBA draft will be special players.
Watch or listen to the full episode below and keep an eye on DraftKings Network for new episodes of All The Smoke Unplugged every Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET!
SHOW BREAKDOWN
Pistons Want ALL THE SMOKE, White Boy Dark Alley MVPs & Final Four Previews
It’s a brawl night in the NBA! Matt, Keyon & J.R. break down the recent skirmish between the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves. The guys then look back on scraps of NBA’s past, including the time J.R. flexed on the New York Knicks and got checked by Charles Oakley.
Matt turns his focus to this year’s McDonald’s All-American Game and its headliners AJ Dybantsa & Alijah Arenas. Listen in as the guys reflect on high school stars of years past, sharing classic stories of Baron Davis and Tracy McGrady.
As NCAA March Madness heads into Final Four weekend, the trio looks back on tournament action and share predictions for both the Men’s & Women’s side.
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