On the surface, comparing Stephen Curry to Cooper Flagg feels like comparing apples to a 6-foot-9, shot-blocking alien. One is a 6-foot-2 point guard who revolutionized the game from the three-point line; the other is a terrifyingly versatile two-way forward currently carrying the Dallas Mavericks as a rookie.
But if you look beyond the physical measurable, the comparison between these two generational talents is actually mind-blowing—and no one knows it better than Steph Curry himself.
The connection started years ago. Long before he was the No. 1 overall pick, a 16-year-old Cooper Flagg pulled up to the exclusive “Curry Camp.” Even then, Steph saw something terrifying in the teenager’s game. Curry praised Flagg’s maturity, noting that he was “never really in a hurry” and “almost plays like an NBA style.” Fast forward to the NBA, and that camp connection has turned into a mutual respect between two of the game’s ultimate competitors. The similarities in their makeup are undeniable:
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The “Invisible” Athleticism: Both players rely heavily on historically great basketball IQ and elite stamina rather than just raw muscle. Fun fact: At the NBA Draft Combine, Cooper Flagg’s max vertical was exactly 35.5 inches. That is the exact same number Steph Curry posted back in 2009!
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The Killer Instinct: Neither player relies on trash talk to intimidate. They break opponents down systematically. Curry does it by running you through a maze of screens until you collapse; Flagg does it by suffocating you on defense and relentlessly attacking the rim.
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The Franchise Weight: Just like Steph had to carry a struggling Golden State franchise out of the mud in his early years, Flagg has been handed the keys to a rebuilding Dallas Mavericks team and told to save the city.
The ultimate proof of this passing-of-the-torch came on Christmas Day. In a head-to-head matchup against the Warriors, Flagg made history, dropping 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. He became the first rookie since 1970 to post a 25/5/5 stat line on Christmas.
Curry’s response after watching the 19-year-old dissect his team? “Just a true hooper. Competitor. The league is in good hands.”
Stephen Curry changed the game of basketball forever. Now, he is officially stepping aside and warning the rest of the league that Cooper Flagg is about to do the exact same thing.
