Cooper Flagg gives bold four-word answer to pick his GOAT in LeBron James vs Michael Jordan debate
Cooper Flagg spent the day before the NBA Draft praising Larry Bird, his childhood basketball hero.
Then the next big name in The Association weighed in on the greatest sports debate of all-time, hours before the No.1 overall pick was announced on Wednesday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
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Flagg already knows who is the best basketball player of all-timeCredit: GettyAsked by talkSPORT who he would pick between LeBron James and Michael Jordan, the former Duke Blue Devils star delivered an immediate answer.
Many NBA fans insist that The King is the greatest, thanks to his longevity and all-time scoring record.
Others passionately defend Air Jordan, pointing to his perfect 6-0 record in the NBA Finals.
Cameras flashed and microphones were extended toward Flagg as he walked the red carpet.
READ MORE ON NBAThen an 18-year-old already hyped by James as ‘amazing’ delivered his GOAT verdict on the same night he was drafted No. 1 by the Dallas Mavericks.
“Michael Jordan, for sure,” Flagg exclusively told talkSPORT.
“That’s the GOAT to me. I don’t know if it was how I was raised by my parents or not, but that’s just my answer.”
As a life-changing pick approached, Flagg thanked the family that supported him before he was a rising star winning the biggest awards in college basketball.
“It really means everything to be here with my family,” Flagg said.
“I have a lot of friends from Maine, as well — like 80 people coming up to the draft.
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LeBron James praised Flagg before he was draftedCredit: Getty
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Jordan was perfect in the NBA FinalsCredit: Getty
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Jordan has kept James at an arm’s length in the last two decades”It’s just such a huge group of support and I have a really good circle.”
Flagg made it clear in New York that he knows his NBA history.
While Jordan won the rookie’s GOAT debate, Larry the Legend was still on his mind.
“Just the things he (Bird) was about,” Flagg told talkSPORT.
“The way he played so hard on every possession. The way he was diving on the floor, doing all the little things.
“That’s kind of just the way I modeled my game when I was younger and that sort of stuff. I think that’s kind of why I play the way I am. I have to give credit to that — just modeling myself after him and the way he was able to play.”
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New NBA star Cooper Flagg reveals his love for Larry Bird
Dallas took Flagg at the top of the draft, giving the Mavericks a new star after trading Luka Doncic to James’ Lakers.
“I have no insider information,” said Flagg, when asked about a lingering conspiracy theory involving NBA commissioner Adam Silver, the Mavs and the Lakers.
