Cooper Flagg causes a rift in the NBA: Two Lakers legends take sides in the rookie debate
He hasn't even played a professional game yet, but Cooper Flagg is already at the center of controversy. With just two weeks until the 2025 NBA Draft-where the Duke Blue Devils star is widely expected to be the top pick-two former NBA greats are locked in a debate over his potential. Flagg needed just one season in the NCAA to emerge as the draft's premier prospect. His height, ball-handling skills, and undeniable charisma have made him the face of college basketball. But his meteoric rise has also brought skeptics. Among his critics is former Nuggets and Lakers star Carmelo Anthony, who didn't hold back: "To me, he [Flagg] doesn't do anything great." Dwight Howard's advice to Flagg on the matter: ignore it.Dwight Howard's message to FlaggIf anyone understands Flagg's situation, it's Howard-the first overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. […]