With the NCAA Tournament now down to its final eight teams, the highly anticipated showdown between the No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils and No. 2 seed Alabama Crimson Tide is set to take place Saturday night, with a trip to the Final Four on the line.
While both teams boast household names, none is more talked about than Duke’s freshman sensation, Cooper Flagg. Not only is he the projected No. 1 overall pick in June’s NBA draft, but he also has the opportunity to accomplish something rare for a freshman: lead his team to a national championship.
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However, with the title of “best” comes immense pressure. On Friday, Dan Patrick, during an appearance on the “Dan Patrick Show,” made a bold statement that if Flagg’s NBA career ended up resembling that of former UCLA star and NBA champion Kevin Love, it would likely be considered a disappointment.
“If you said his career was going to be like Kevin Love’s, would that be a disappointment? And it probably would be,” Patrick said.
This comment sparked reactions, with many defending Love and the impressive career he’s had in the NBA. Love himself responded to the conversation, making it clear that he didn’t take the comment as an insult. In fact, he shared his admiration for Flagg’s skills.
“For those who will take this as a shot at me… I don’t take it as such,” Love tweeted. “I was pure skill & will. Cooper is far more talented than I ever was, and if he stays healthy, will have a far better career. He could very well have a statue by the time he’s finished. I’m a HUGE fan.”
However, Love’s career can still be viewed as a major success. Not only is he a five-time All-Star, but he has also averaged 16.2 points and 10.0 rebounds over the course of his 17-year NBA career after being drafted fifth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft.
Miami Heat forward Kevin Love (42).© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
While Love’s legacy is firmly established, Flagg is seen as a generational talent. He is coming off a dominant 30-point performance in the Sweet 16 and has already earned ACC Player and Rookie of the Year honors, as well as the National Player of the Year, further cementing his status as one of the most exciting prospects in recent memory.
Related: Caleb Love’s Postgame Exchange With Duke’s Jon Scheyer Draws Attention After Sweet 16 Loss
