When a young basketball phenom starts making waves, the comparisons to legends like Michael Jordan and LeBron James are inevitable.
But Charles Barkley isn’t having any of it.
Barkley’s Take on the Pressure of Comparisons
Speaking on the Dan Patrick Show, the Hall of Famer took issue with the way rising stars are constantly measured against all-time greats.
In his signature blunt style, Barkley joked that Michael Jordan has “killed more people than the plague” because of how often young players are hyped as “the next Jordan,” only to fall short of impossible expectations.
“I think we do a disservice to a lot of these guys,” Barkley said.
“The moment someone gets compared to Jordan, it’s almost like setting them up to fail.
People build them up so much, and then they get torn down when they don’t turn out to be the greatest of all time.”
Cooper Flagg’s Meteoric Rise
At just 18 years old, Cooper Flagg has already turned heads across the basketball world.
Standing at 6-foot-9, the Duke freshman has been dominant on the court, leading his team to the Elite Eight and solidifying his status as the top prospect in the upcoming NBA draft.
His impressive performances have sparked comparisons to Kevin Durant and Larry Bird, but Barkley insists that such talk is unfair.
“This kid is really talented, really smart, and from everything I’ve seen, he seems like a great young man,” Barkley said.
“He could have let all the hype get to his head, but he hasn’t.
He was the best high school player in the country, came into college with all the pressure in the world, and has lived up to the expectations.”
Why Barkley Refuses to Compare Flagg to Legends
Despite Flagg’s undeniable potential, Barkley refuses to put him in the same conversation as NBA greats just yet.
“It’s unfair to the kid and unfair to the players he’s being compared to,” he explained. “Let him make his own path.
He’s a joy to watch, and I can’t wait to see how he develops in the NBA.”
Barkley’s perspective serves as a reminder that while it’s exciting to witness the rise of young talent, placing the weight of history on their shoulders can be more of a burden than a blessing.
For now, Cooper Flagg is simply Cooper Flagg—an exciting player with a bright future, but one whose story is still being written.