NBA fans react as Bill Simmons' podcast guest compares Cooper Flagg's ceiling to Detlef Schrempf's: "Oh look, he compared him to a tall white player"

NBA observer, author and essayist Chuck Klosterman sees top NBA rookie pick Cooper Flagg having a similar career to German star Detlef Schrempf. His comments brought out mixed reactions from fans on social media.

Speaking on Bill Simmons's The Ringer podcast on Tuesday, Klosterman, who is a columnist for ESPN.com, said he sees Flagg having a solid career in the NBA but not as dominating as many people predict.

He believes that the former Duke star will chart the same career path that 1990s star Schempf had, sharing:

"I think he's going to have a career like Detlef Schrempf."

Fans reacted to what Klosterman said on X (formerly Twitter).

"Oh look, he compared him to a tall white player. Deep, researched, winning analysis right there. 🤔 🤨," a fan cast doubt on how the observer arrived at the comparison.

"The classic same race comparison... What's next? Comparing Danny Wolf to Larry Bird because they got the exact same nose?" another user moved to highlight.

"Why do people always compare players' abilities and tie it to their skin color? I personally compare Cooper Flagg to game to Paolo Banchero," a fan asserted.

Some comments agreed with what Klosterman said.

"That makes two of us, unfortunately. Simply put, I just don't see the true superstar potential in Cooper Flagg but I think he'll be capable of being the second best player on a title contender," a fan wrote.

"Dominated college basketball the year he should have been a senior in high school, but yeah nothing special," another said.

Some fans made other assessments and comparisons.

"He’s MPJ if he never had the back injuries or the drop foot. That’s his ceiling," one wrote, referring to Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr.

"I been saying this. He is Pascal Siakam. An amazing player that doesnt force anything just plays within the team," another chimed in while making reference to Indiana Pacers All-Star forward Pascal Siakam.

Schrempf played 17 years in the NBA with stops in Dallas, Indiana, Seattle and Portland. He was a three-time All-Star and twice the winner of the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.

Cooper Flagg, meanwhile, is projected to be selected No. 1 in the NBA draft on June 25 by the Dallas Mavericks.

---

Cooper Flagg says he will strive to be a solid two-way player in the NBA

Cooper Flagg's goal in the NBA is to become a solid two-way player and help whichever team selects him in the draft win.

Speaking about it during the NBA Lottery on May 12, the 18-year-old from Newport, Maine, shared he always strives to impact the game in varying ways, and it is the same mindset he will bring to the pros.

Flagg told ESPN:

"Like I said, this entire experience for me has been amazing so going forward I'm going to look forward to being a two-way player. That's something that I've done since I was a little kid so I'm going to try to keep doing that to the best of my ability."

Flagg played one season at Duke, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks while helping the Blue Devils to the NCAA Final Four.