UpAndComing
Veteran
Ex-Celtic Tony Allen doesn't believe in the Cooper Flagg hype: 'I'm seeing Andrei Kirilenko'
The Duke star could be a “nice” piece for an NBA team, Allen said during a recent podcast appearance on Grind City Media, but he isn’t sold on Flagg’s potential as an NBA superstar.
“I don’t think Cooper Flagg is going to turn your franchise around like that, and I’m serious,” Allen said.
Adding the reigning national College Player of the Year could give the franchise a boost. He averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds during his freshman season after reclassifying to finish high school a year early.
But, Allen said he isn’t seeing anything in his skill set that would place him amongst the elite in the NBA.
“I ain’t seeing [Kevin Durant]. I’m just not seeing all that,” Allen said. “I’m seeing Andrei Kirilenko, bro.”
Kirilenko, whom Allen compared Flagg to, made an All-Star team in 2004 and was a first-team All-Defensive selection in 2006. He played more than a decade in the NBA, mostly with the Utah Jazz. He was a late first-round pick who wound up averaging 11.8 points per game in his career.
Kirilenko had a lengthy and successful career both in the NBA, and overseas, but the expectations surrounding a potential No. 1 overall pick are different.
“He’s going to be a one-time All-Star,” Allen said. “I don’t see it. I’m just not hyped on these Duke kids. Look at the couple that came out, besides Jayson Tatum.”
Toney Allen really turned into a Coli Breh
The Duke star could be a “nice” piece for an NBA team, Allen said during a recent podcast appearance on Grind City Media, but he isn’t sold on Flagg’s potential as an NBA superstar.
“I don’t think Cooper Flagg is going to turn your franchise around like that, and I’m serious,” Allen said.
Adding the reigning national College Player of the Year could give the franchise a boost. He averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds during his freshman season after reclassifying to finish high school a year early.
But, Allen said he isn’t seeing anything in his skill set that would place him amongst the elite in the NBA.
“I ain’t seeing [Kevin Durant]. I’m just not seeing all that,” Allen said. “I’m seeing Andrei Kirilenko, bro.”
Kirilenko, whom Allen compared Flagg to, made an All-Star team in 2004 and was a first-team All-Defensive selection in 2006. He played more than a decade in the NBA, mostly with the Utah Jazz. He was a late first-round pick who wound up averaging 11.8 points per game in his career.
Kirilenko had a lengthy and successful career both in the NBA, and overseas, but the expectations surrounding a potential No. 1 overall pick are different.
“He’s going to be a one-time All-Star,” Allen said. “I don’t see it. I’m just not hyped on these Duke kids. Look at the couple that came out, besides Jayson Tatum.”
Toney Allen really turned into a Coli Breh
