Carmelo Anthony’s Candid Remarks on Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey Ignite Debate
In a recent appearance on “Podcast P with Paul George,” NBA legend Carmelo Anthony offered unfiltered opinions on two of the top prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft: Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ Ace Bailey. His remarks have sparked widespread discussion within the basketball community.
Anthony lauded Flagg’s unique talent, stating, “We haven’t seen — and not to make this black and white — but we haven’t seen a white boy like that in a long f****** time. That’s when you know he’s really good” . He emphasized that Flagg’s combination of skills and athleticism is rare, particularly among white players, drawing comparisons to legends like Larry Bird.
Conversely, Anthony described Bailey as reminiscent of established NBA stars, saying, “We’ve seen Ace. We’ve seen Paul George. We’ve seen Kevin Garnett. We’ve seen Tracy McGrady. We’ve seen Mellos. We’ve seen Jayson Tatum. Like, we’ve seen Ace. That’s why he’s not being talked about” . He clarified that while Bailey is undoubtedly talented, his style is more familiar to fans and scouts.
These comments have ignited debates about racial perceptions in basketball scouting and the criteria used to evaluate emerging talent. Some critics argue that Anthony’s remarks highlight a bias that favors novelty over proven archetypes, while others contend that recognizing unique talent is essential in a competitive draft landscape.
As the draft approaches, both Flagg and Bailey remain top prospects, with teams weighing Anthony’s insights alongside other evaluations. The discourse underscores the complexities of talent assessment and the influence of cultural narratives in sports.
For a deeper dive into Anthony’s discussion on these prospects, you can watch the full episode of “Podcast P with Paul George” be
