As the 2025 NBA Draft nears, Cooper Flagg is set to join the same league as superstar LeBron James, with a former NBA player drawing a direct comparison between the two. Brian Scalabrine expressed this during a recent interview on the Dan Patrick Show, highlighting what makes Flagg stand out as a prospect.
During the conversation, Dan Patrick asked Scalabrine to provide a comparison for Flagg beyond racial lines. After reflecting briefly, Scalabrine equated Flagg’s style to that of LeBron James, although with notable differences in physique and approach.
“I don’t do the white guy thing,” Scalabrine said (Timestamp 0:06). “I think it’s LeBron James but without having to be like 260 pounds and like a freight train. Cooper Flagg is a super computer. Dan, he’s a super computer. Everything you tell him, within 24 hours, he figured it out.”
—Brian Scalabrine, former NBA player
Scalabrine shared his firsthand experience working with Flagg during training sessions, where the young athlete impressed by competing against much older and more experienced players. This, according to Scalabrine, is part of why he views Flagg as a younger incarnation of James.
“He was just too good (Timestamp 1:45). He just picked things up. Workouts are supposed to be challenging and you’re supposed to push guys to do something better than they normally can and he just kept mastering every single thing. You talk around the NBA and you talk around about guys, they’re always saying LeBron is like that.”
—Brian Scalabrine, former NBA player
One key attribute that Scalabrine highlighted is Flagg’s exceptional basketball IQ, which he believes will be instrumental in helping Flagg succeed at the highest level, much like LeBron James has done throughout his career.
Cooper Flagg Shares Admiration for Celtics Legend Larry Bird
In a recent NBA “Get to Know” video published on a Saturday, Cooper Flagg revealed who his basketball idol was growing up, showing respect for a Celtics legend whose impact on the game remains significant.
“Larry Bird, we had like the ’85-’86 Celtics Finals games,” Flagg said. “I think it was six games versus the Rockets. We had those in the car, and we used to just play them on repeat.”
—Cooper Flagg, NBA prospect
Larry Bird, known for his high basketball IQ and versatile skill set, won three NBA MVP awards and led the Boston Celtics to three championships during the 1980s. Flagg’s appreciation of Bird aligns with the recognition of his own cerebral approach to the game, connecting his style to that of other great all-around players throughout NBA history.
As Cooper Flagg prepares for his entry into the NBA via the 2025 Draft, comparisons to both LeBron James and Larry Bird underscore expectations for him to excel not only with physical talent but also with a deep understanding of basketball. These traits may position him as a transformative player who can shape his team’s future and the league’s landscape in the years to come.