NBA scouts compare Cooper Flagg to Jayson Tatum, Scottie Pippen, Kawhi Leonard

NBA front office take: “[Flagg]’s really good defensively and can be a game changer on that end pretty much immediately with his size, effort and IQ. He’s always been a very good defender and the offense is coming along. It’s a really related path to the one Kawhi was on early in his NBA profession, as a man who had all these actually helpful qualities, after which entered as an actual two-way pressure as he rounded out his sport.” — a Western Convention scout -via ESPN / April 3, 2025

Jorge Sierra: Tim Hardaway Jr. passed Kobe Bryant in three-pointers last night for No. 29 in NBA history. Additionally: Kawhi Leonard moved forward of Spencer Haywood in scoring for No. 171. -via Bluesky / April 3, 2025

Unsurprisingly, Pascal Siakam also gave props to Kawhi Leonard, who won the 2019 NBA Finals MVP during his lone season with the Raptors. “I think for me, there was a point where he looked like nobody can stop him, like he could just do whatever he wants. There have been factors the place you simply give him the ball and he’s simply going to get to at least one spot, and there was nothing you could possibly do about it… the deal with was tight, the three was there, after which he would go and dunk on you too,” Siakam added. -via Daily Hive / April 2, 2025

NBA front office take: “I say Scottie because he could have been a No. 1 guy, and was after MJ left [Chicago], but he became by far the best No. 2. I think Cooper will be a hell of a No. 2, but he might need a top 10 [player] running mate with him. He can clearly show me improper, however I don’t see him as a No. 1 man on a championship staff in his profession.” — a Jap Convention normal supervisor -via ESPN / April 3, 2025

KC Johnson: Coby White joins Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler and DeMar DeRozan as only Bulls to earn at least one Player of Month award. -via Twitter @KCJHoop / April 1, 2025

Your dad, Scottie Pippen, was sitting courtside. Do you will have an additional gear on the court docket while you see him or is it form of like no matter? Scotty Pippen Jr: I think it’s kind of like whatever. He’s been to a lot of games at this point. It’s cool simply to see like lastly I’m at this stage. Him with the ability to come to my sport and help me, whether or not or not it’s LA, whether or not or not it’s Memphis or someplace on the street. However at this level, I’m form of simply used to it. -via HoopsHype / March 25, 2025

NBA entrance workplace take: “Both of them at Duke presented really positively as guys that were going to have a couple of off-ramps to be super successful. We’re seeing that with Flagg recently, he’s had poor shooting nights like against [Alabama in the Elite Eight], and still was super impactful [toward] winning. … Individuals questioned each of their pictures, which turned out to be a foolish concern, most likely. They each have actually good really feel offensively in a means that’s simply unusual for his or her dimension and utilization. — a second Western Convention govt -via ESPN / April 3, 2025

The highest of the poll has remained remarkably static this season. Not only have Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic been in the top two spots in all three polls, but Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum have occupied Nos. 3 and 4 as well. -via ESPN / April 3, 2025

Courtside Buzz: HEAT WIN SIX STRAIGHT & SNAP CELTICS’ NINE-GAME WIN STREAK, 124-103! 🔥 Tyler Herro: 25 PTS, 9 AST, 6 REB, 7/18 FGM Bam Adebayo: 21 PTS, 6 AST, 5 REB, 9/15 FGM Jaylen Brown: 24 PTS, 9 REB, 10/20 FGM, 29 MIN Jayson Tatum: 16 PTS, 4/17 FGM – 23.5% (🔥🗑 submit to observe) Miami will get scorching on the proper time; as they’re near clinching the play-in match! -via x.com / April 2, 2025