"May the tanking begin": NBA fans believe teams will start tanking after Cooper Flagg's tough bucket over Anthony Davis 

Cooper Flagg made it look like he more than belonged on a court full of NBA superstars. Flagg showcased his talents in a Team USA scrimmage alongside some other NBA players on Monday, stunning fans with multiple offensive sequences against the top players in the league.

In one viral video, Flagg drained a 3 against the outstretched arms of Los Angeles Lakers’ defensive anchor Anthony Davis before coming down the floor for a putback dunk over Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo.

Watch the play in the video below:

It was a glimpse of what to expect from Flagg in a Duke uniform next season, and perhaps a preview of what is to come when he likely gets drafted into the NBA in 2025.

Flagg anchored the Team USA Select team – who was just supposed to be there to gauge the Olympic-bound Team USA’s readiness – to just a one-point loss against the Olympic team 74-73. Flagg played alongside young NBA stars Brandon Miller, Brandin Podziemski, Jabari Smith Jr., Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Payton Pritchard.

Fueling his case to be the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft, the Duke commit had the internet buzzing after the game. Some fans even quipped about teams potentially tanking next season as some front-office officials were present to watch him play.

Here's what some fans had to say on X/Twitter:

“I knew he was gone be a problem, may the tanking begin,” said one fan.

“The race to tank for this kid is gonna be incredible lol,” said another fan.

“The NBA is going to be TANK CITY this year,” one fan said.

Other fans raved about Flagg's potential in the NBA:

“Already better than half of the players in the league,” said one fan.

“Generational type talent,” another fan said.

“If the jumpshot falling like this. Shut him down mane. He up next,” said another fan.

Flagg is the top-ranked high school player in the 2024 class and has committed to playing for the Duke Blue Devils next year.

Cooper Flagg addresses alleged heated one-on-one game vs. Bradley Beal

Cooper Flagg first made the rounds on social media when he reportedly “cooked” Phoenix Suns’ Bradley Beal in a one-on-one game when he was just 16 years old.

However, Flagg dismissed the rumor, saying that he has never played one-on-one against the former All-Star:

“That one was fake, though. Fake business. Me and Bradley Beal never played 1-on-1. I got no beef with Brad,” Flagg said.

Despite the rumor, the intrigue surrounding Flagg has been evident in the past year. Standing at 6-foot-8, Flagg is a deadshot from 3 and can burst out dribble moves to wear down defenders.

With his potential, he is projected to be one of the most coveted prospects coming into the NBA in recent years.