'25-26 NBA Thread

[cheebs09]

The Giannis piece in the MJS has a very Buzz's Bunch feel to it to me.

[The Sultan]

Cooper Flagg is the first teenager with 3 consecutive 30+ point games. I'm honestly surprised LeBron never did this.

Probably because Lebron was drafted into nearly the least pacey era in NBA era. Games averaged 10 less shots a game, and a whopping 23 less three point shots a game back then.

[Pakuni]

Probably because Lebron was drafted into nearly the least pacey era in NBA era. Games averaged 10 less shots a game, and a whopping 23 less three point shots a game back then.

While true, rookie LeBron still took more shots per game (18.9 to 15.9) than Flagg and got to the line more often (5.8 attempts per game to 4.6). He shot fewer threes (2.7 to 3.5).
Flagg has been more efficient (.517 eFG/.562 TS%) than LeBron (.438 eFG/.488 TS%).

[The Sultan]

While true, rookie LeBron still took more shots per game (18.9 to 15.9) than Flagg and got to the line more often (5.8 attempts per game to 4.6). He shot fewer threes (2.7 to 3.5).
Flagg has been more efficient (.517 eFG/.562 TS%) than LeBron (.438 eFG/.488 TS%).

Well that's certainly impressive.

[Pakuni]

Well that's certainly impressive.

Not to everyone, it seems.

https://x.com/awfulannouncing/status/2018324180983542115?s=20

[wadesworld]

Not to everyone, it seems.

https://x.com/awfulannouncing/status/2018324180983542115?s=20

Putting him below Koa Peat is nuts.  I think Caleb Wilson could have a higher absolute max ceiling, but I think there's a 98% chance that Flagg has a better career.  I don't see Flagg having a worse career than Boozer, but I think both have incredibly high floors, and still really high ceilings but maybe not as high as Dybantsa, Peterson, and Wilson.

If I'm starting a franchise I'd go 1) Dybantsa 2) Peterson (but either would be great, Peterson's playing half of games is just weird to me) 3) Flagg 4) Wilson (I said a month or so ago I would take him above Flagg, but his lack of perimeter shooting and Flagg having really upped his game a level has changed my mind on that), 5) Boozer and then I wouldn't even put Peat anywhere close to that group.  I'd put Flemings, Ament, Acuff, Haugh, Lendeborg, and Wagler all above Peat personally, and guys like Brown, Mullins, and Cenac about even with Peat.

[Billy Hoyle]

Putting him below Koa Peat is nuts.  I think Caleb Wilson could have a higher absolute max ceiling, but I think there's a 98% chance that Flagg has a better career.  I don't see Flagg having a worse career than Boozer, but I think both have incredibly high floors, and still really high ceilings but maybe not as high as Dybantsa, Peterson, and Wilson.

If I'm starting a franchise I'd go 1) Dybantsa 2) Peterson (but either would be great, Peterson's playing half of games is just weird to me) 3) Flagg 4) Wilson (I said a month or so ago I would take him above Flagg, but his lack of perimeter shooting and Flagg having really upped his game a level has changed my mind on that), 5) Boozer and then I wouldn't even put Peat anywhere close to that group.  I'd put Flemings, Ament, Acuff, Haugh, Lendeborg, and Wagler all above Peat personally, and guys like Brown, Mullins, and Cenac about even with Peat.

I feel like Peat's reputation is living off his first game, where he had 30 and some spectacular dunks.

When Dybansta signed and got the huge NIL I asked an old co-worker who used to be an EYBL director about him and he said Dybansta was "the best HS NBA prospect in at least a decade, better than Flagg." Considering how well Flagg is doing this year with the Mavs that may be a tough bar to exceed.

[JWags85]

While true, rookie LeBron still took more shots per game (18.9 to 15.9) than Flagg and got to the line more often (5.8 attempts per game to 4.6). He shot fewer threes (2.7 to 3.5).
Flagg has been more efficient (.517 eFG/.562 TS%) than LeBron (.438 eFG/.488 TS%).

Not to mention Lebron's usage that first season was still almost 30%, more towards the end of the season.  Flagg's is only 24%.  Lebron was fantastic as a rookie obviously, but he only averaged 21 and only had, if I remember last time I looked for a discussion with a buddy, like 10 or 11 30 pt games that first year.

What Flagg is doing is absolutely insane.

Not to everyone, it seems.

https://x.com/awfulannouncing/status/2018324180983542115?s=20

This is gonna have a hard time not finishing in the top 3 worst CBB takes of 2026, even with 11 months of the year remaining.  Its just so stupid on all levels.  I'm not trying to scream RAYCESS or say that white ballers can't get breaks, but there is a weird bias against some of the top young prospects that are white dudes, especially if they aren't the traditional pure shooter mold, especially by former players turned mediocre analysts.  We saw it with Luka excessively.  If Cooper Flagg from Maine by way of Duke was actually Chris Fleming from Maryland by way of UNC, I bet Mashburn wouldn't be spouting such nonsense (the Duke piece is also probably valid too cause Mashburn absolutely has some simmering old UK-Duke resentment).

I think its even more ridiculous cause if you say you'd still take Dybantsa or Peterson over him at this point, I could understand.  Dybantsa is doing what Flagg did in college, similar players, but he's clearly more athletic (which isn't a knock on the very athletic Flagg).  Peterson's shot making as a freshman at the college level is unlike anything Ive seen in a long time, I think he's clearly way ahead of a guy like Jamal Murray at this point in their careers.  I don't rate Boozer's pro potential as much, but its not like he's doing anything Flagg wasn't last year.

But adding Caleb Wilson and Koa Peat is just ridiculous and makes Mashburn look like a complete doofus.  Peat isn't even the best player on his team, much less the country.  But sure, he's better than the clear leader for ROY who just scored 49.