Cooper Flagg Got Injured in OKC Thunder: NBA Playoff Drama Unfolding
Today we have a lot to talk about in basketball. Especially Thursday when basketball is played. Roy, you’re OKC Thunder. They look good. Frank, how did you feel about what you saw? Tell us what you believe Flagg and the Blue Devils should do next. Yes, I don’t think we’ll see him again in the ACC playoffs. The NCAA playoffs is what I think will be the most important thing. Most likely a number one seed, most likely in Raleigh.
That won’t begin until the following Friday. If he doesn’t make round one, you’re talking about Raleigh. He has round two on Sunday, so I think he’ll be fine. He was in the Paul Pierce Memorial wheelchair because he’s a Celtics fan. That’s probably the right way to get a guy with an ankle injury around. It’s a good sign that he came back and there wasn’t any ice on it.
But I couldn’t help but think, “You know, Duke has been here before with these highly regarded freshmen.” As a freshman, Kyrie Irving only played in 11 games because he hurt his toe. He came back for the playoffs, though. That year, he only played in 11 games.
They got to the Sweet 16 but lost there. Then Zion hurt his knee after having a great rookie year. That was the game Barack Obama went to against Carolina and blew out his shoe. They made it to the final eight, but lost. Let’s check this out for Cooper Flagg now. He might not be fully healthy for the rest of the NCAA playoffs.
What does it make you feel good? There are football players who don’t want to play in bowl games or playoff games because they’re afraid of what the draft might hold for them. Cooper Flagg’s draft stock won’t change if he tweaks that ankle and makes it a little worse, will it? Yes. Now, I think, and you already know this, these guys are so competitive.
This is a kid who skipped high school. You can’t be the best student in the country if you don’t have that. He changed his job. His last year of high school should be this year. You need to play. Because that’s how he is, he was so good against the U.S. Olympic team when he went to Vegas to train with them. Tell me what you think.
Cooper Flagg's Draft Stock Won't Change
Do you think he’ll come back? He needs to be persuaded not to play, I think. Not having fun. 100%. You want that kid. Also, that’s what you want to see if you’re scouting and everyone else is scouting and you get the first pick. You need a kid to say, “No, I have to go in,” and a coach to tell them, “No, you don’t.”
That’s why I thought about the Luka deal all the time. There are a lot of teams in the NBA that are trying to get Cooper Flagg because they think he could one day be as good as Luka. The Thunder won even though their second-leading scorer, Jalen Williams, is out with a hip strain. Now, how about this for the Celtics? They made 20 of 63 three-point shots in the first half, but only 5 of 27 in the second. Okay, Mike. I think I might know this.
What does this find tell you? It’s a few things, really. I mean, the Celtics can be stubborn when they have a title ring on their finger. They were the champions before. Even after all these nights, I’m still not sure what the point of just having more threes is. This is what they do. They want to do this. Last night, it didn’t work.
But since I didn’t work last night, I just want to talk about some guys on the Oklahoma City thing. Every win for them makes people across the country who have never heard of them go, “Oh my God, did you know how good they are?” So they are just starting to learn names. They know some college friends of Chet Holmgren.
They may know a little about Lou Dort from Olympic play. But players like Hardenstein, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, and Kaysan Wallace who they’re used to seeing in Knicks gear. They’re very deep. They have skills. They’re tough. They stand up. It doesn’t matter if Jason Tatum, Jalen Brown, or any of the other Celtics can score 40 points. Every Celtic can do that. They are going to protect you. This team has the best defense in the league.
They make mistakes happen. They turn over losses. That being said, Frank, I think it will take a while longer for people to get used to the idea that Oklahoma City might be good. Okay, then get used to it, because Oklahoma City will be here a lot in the next four or five years with this team.
You did talk about the playoffs. I think they’ll have the most pressure when the season starts because they are the top seed in the Western Conference for the second year in a row. In the second round of last year’s tournament, Luka and Kyrie Irving beat them. In terms of last night, it was their second win over the Celtics. In fact, they always beat the Celtics. Their coach, Mark Dagnall, does a great job, and their defense is great.
They wanted the Celtics to take threes. That Cason Wallace guy is like a strong safety. He is really amazing. He can watch over anyone. He can watch over people. A lot of people. Several roles. I went to a game in Brooklyn two weeks ago. In the first half, they let in 76 points. All the time, they do this. Shea is also out there. As you can see, this was also kind of a love note to Michael Malone. We beat the champions in Boston.
Right now you can tell me any number you want. When Mikael Bridges passed the ball to Josh Hart, Hart quickly stole it back and made a three-pointer at the buzzer to win the game. Bang! But let’s look at this more closely. It looks like Bridges moves before he throws the ball down. How many steps are there, Frank? Should the shot have been valid? Most likely not.
And you guys just did this piece where Steve Kerr talked about how much he travels for the NBA. For that reason, the shot that Scoot Henderson made at the end of regular time should not count either. Henderson probably took three steps to make that shot. That’s something that needs to be fixed. But don’t count that basket if you want to ruin a good story.
Mikel Bridges starts his day by saying, “I went to the coach.” He makes the shot that wins the game. The Knicks are now 2-1 since Brunson left the team because he hurt his ankle. Listen, this has been going on for 20 years with Tibbs.
That’s what the story will be about until one of his best teams makes it through the playoffs with its whole roster. Okay. Okay? And having fun as much as they can. Because they play as well as they can, either they win or they lose. You and I have talked about Tibbs a million times with Joe Kim Noah and other people. There were guys who loved playing for Tibbs.
Men who needed the time. As their lives went on, these guys began to think, “Maybe this isn’t the best way to go.” It’s always either a thumbs up or a thumbs down for Tibbs to play people for 20 minutes. This discussion is still going on. Who is the player? Mike, it’s been a long time since you wrote about the NBA. You’ve been in Chicago for a long time. I’m going to talk about Michael Jordan. He spends a lot of time there.
Celtics Can Be Stubborn
Was Michael Jordan ever honest and say, “I want to play less?” Name the NBA player. You, Will Chamberlain? Not at all, Chamberlain. Never. Chamberlain spent an average of 48 minutes. Never. He averaged 48 full because he did so many things. I understand. I understand. That’s right. Things have changed. I understand.
We didn’t used to worry so much about minutes. That’s all we do now. So, guys, also take a look at the minutes winners from 25, 30, and 40 years ago. They were up more than 40. That’s no longer the case. Yes, Frank, all of that is true. But even so, this is still a conversation about teams that Tom Thibodeau managed. We both care about and admire Tom Thibodeau. But you know what goes back and forth?
The leaders and teams the other guy plays for think that his guys will be tired today. It’s very late in the playoffs. They think it will happen. I’m not going to buy it because of this. What is the story behind the Dallas Mavericks? The whole team is hurt. All of the Sixers’ top players are hurt right now. What does it mean that minutes are important? How do you describe Zion Williamson, Kawhi Leonard, and Joel Embiid? Those guys never play the part that hurts him. If you say playing time is what hurts people, then you can’t…
The talk in the league, though, is well known. Kyrie told them not to go that way because everyone was out to kill Jason Kidd. When he stepped on Jonas Valanciunas’ foot, it turned. I really like what Kyrie said, even though his minutes were almost up, which they should have been. But they haven’t been up in the past.
There are no record minutes for anyone on the Knicks. Who does Mikkel Bridges play with almost as much each night? Kevin Durant, who is 36 years old and has hurt his Achilles before. He had surgery on his foot. He broke his Jones bone. He’s having fun outside. He would like to. Mikkel Bridges also wants to play. The Knicks bought him through trade because he plays all the time. Every game he’s ever played. That’s right. Name is Cal Ripken.
Russell Wilson left the Browns’ facility without a deal and is now on his way to see the Giants tomorrow. Frank, what does that mean? He did talk to the Giants last year, but he didn’t sign. This year, I think he’ll play for the Giants. Mac Jones became a Niner. His goal was to play for Kyle Shanahan. Does that make sense? I keep thinking that he might play more than he thinks. Yes. Paul George is seeing doctors this weekend to figure out the best way for him to move forward with his growing pains and knee injuries.
You want to shut him down? Is that a surprise to you? Not at all. He had to go here. Finally, the NWSL season starts this Friday. Who are your picks, Frank? I’m going to say Washington with the great Trinity Rodman. I have to say Gotham FC, though. That’s near where I live. You can’t get back in. Next year, Boston will have a team. The game is getting bigger. That will also belong to the Red Sox. We’re running out of time.
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