Bigs. Please. Bigs.

[jimsumner]

Wheat,

It makes no sense to quote career stats to show progression. Compare Abdelnaby's freshman stats to his senior stats. Meek averaged 2/5/1.2 as a freshman, 10.3/8.3 as a senior. No improvement there?

Newton went from 1.1/1.3 as a freshman to 12.2/8.2 as a junior and was ahead of those stats as a senior before he imploded. Sanders was 1.8/1.2 to 4.6/5.2. That's a lot more improvement than demonstrated by Hansbrough from his freshman season to his senior season.

Want to discount Ferry, Laettner, et. al.? Fine. We'll do the same with Mitch Kupchak, Tom LaGarde, J.R. Reid, Rasheed Wallace, and consensus top-five recruit Eric Montross.

I don't know what we do with prep All-Americans turned college scrubs Geoff Crompton, Pete Budko, Chris Brust, and Matt Wenstrom. Guess the Smith/Guthridge magic didn't quite work there, did it?

C'mon admit it, the Duke-doesn't-develop-big-men is a pernicious myth, no more deserving of mention than Duke-doesn't-develop-NBA players myth.

Especially on a Duke board.

[smklin]

C'mon admit it, the Duke-doesn't-develop-big-men is a pernicious myth, no more deserving of mention than Duke-doesn't-develop-NBA players myth.

Sorry jim, im going to have to side at least partially with wheat on this one. While a lot of those big men did in fact develop, i would argue that it was not the result of k pouring into them. i think that for a lot of those guys, it was the result of being around for four years, learning the college game, and putting on muscle. and as far as shelden williams goes, it was well-known that he had a great relationship with wojo, so that's why he improved so drastically.

while i think the "duke doesn't develop big men" gets overplayed, i also think that there is some truth in it. k naturally gravitates toward and connects with guards. now i know tons of guys are going to come out of the woodwork and point out 47680 examples of how i'm wrong, but i think we can all agree that GENERALLY the guys k has really poured himself into and connected with have been at the 1-2-3 positions.

[airowe]

Sorry jim, im going to have to side at least partially with wheat on this one. While a lot of those big men did in fact develop, i would argue that it was not the result of k pouring into them. i think that for a lot of those guys, it was the result of being around for four years, learning the college game, and putting on muscle. and as far as shelden williams goes, it was well-known that he had a great relationship with wojo, so that's why he improved so drastically.

while i think the "duke doesn't develop big men" gets overplayed,

Wheat,


C'mon admit it, the Duke-doesn't-develop-big-men is a pernicious myth, no more deserving of mention than Duke-doesn't-develop-NBA players myth.

Especially on a Duke board.

You just proved Jim's argument and should have stopped right there.

[Wheat/"/"/"]

Wheat,

It makes no sense to quote career stats to show progression. Compare Abdelnaby's freshman stats to his senior stats. Meek averaged 2/5/1.2 as a freshman, 10.3/8.3 as a senior. No improvement there?

Newton went from 1.1/1.3 as a freshman to 12.2/8.2 as a junior and was ahead of those stats as a senior before he imploded. Sanders was 1.8/1.2 to 4.6/5.2. That's a lot more improvement than demonstrated by Hansbrough from his freshman season to his senior season.

Want to discount Ferry, Laettner, et. al.? Fine. We'll do the same with Mitch Kupchak, Tom LaGarde, J.R. Reid, Rasheed Wallace, and consensus top-five recruit Eric Montross.

I don't know what we do with prep All-Americans turned college scrubs Geoff Crompton, Pete Budko, Chris Brust, and Matt Wenstrom. Guess the Smith/Guthridge magic didn't quite work there, did it?

C'mon admit it, the Duke-doesn't-develop-big-men is a pernicious myth, no more deserving of mention than Duke-doesn't-develop-NBA players myth.

Especially on a Duke board.

Jim,
I can agree the career stats don't show progression, but can you agree that even as a seniors, playing their best, those players were average college players and not what you need to field an elite team?

I know the "Duke doesn't-develop-big-men" is probably over played. I was just joshing ya...

The real issue is lately Duke has failed to get the type of strong inside post play we were discussing that to be an elite team you need to have.

Coach K has tried, but missed on a couple, Monroe for instance, but that's how it goes in recruiting. If I was a Duke fan I would want coach K to put greater effort into getting more players with post skills.

Unfortunately the last few seasons secondary guys, like Thomas, Zoubek, an the under sized McClure, along with the highly recruited McRoberts have been weak in the post, and it has shown with quick exits from the tourney.

That is no coincidence.

When Duke had strong post play, a Brand, Boozer or Williams they were an elite team.

IMO, for Duke to get back to where they want to be, they need to get more quality post committed players on the roster. The only one I see now is probably Mason Plumlee, and possibly Miles. No way Thomas and Zoubek take you where you want to go.

The best teams play inside out, or at the very least really play inside...That's all I'm trying to say.

[jimsumner]

"but can you agree that even as a seniors, playing their best, those players were average college players and not what you need to field an elite team"

We have a different definition of average college players.

[ACCBBallFan]

...
Now about Zeller...People like to forget that he had beat out Davis for PT until his injury last year...and that he's a true 7'. My sources tell me he has put on about 25lbs this summer. He lost some confidence coming back last year and his game showed it, but if he's back healthy and stronger, this kid will show he can ball.
In my mind, UNC will have a post rotation of Deon,Davis,and Zeller. They will all get about equal PT, unless one of them is hot in a particular game.

IMO, Henson will be a SF. for the most part. His body is just too immature to hang in the paint and he has to get stronger at the college level to play down there. And he won't beat out any one UNC's big three, despite the hype.

I am very comfortable with Drew at the point. He can play D, take care of the ball, get in the lane, and he was the best interior passer on the floor last season. There are lot's of dunks coming from UNC this season, and we should see the return of the ally-oop too.

UNC's questions are at the 2 and 3, especially the outside shooting, as you pointed out.
There is a ton of talent, but all unproven.

With a healthy Ginyard one of your concerns at the 2 or 3 is solved.

Just because Henson does not have the body for a C/PF does not make him a SF. His FT shooting is atrocious but so was Brandan Wright who he reminds me of a little.

Whether he can play SF on either end of the floor remains to be seen, but I do agree that is the key to solving the PT dilemmma since I am pretty sure none of Deon, Davis or Zeller can play SF. Also agree the Wear twins only see garbage time.

Despite his near anorexia, Henson can be a good above the rim player on both ends of the floor, just not sure sure nor are many THR faithful whether Henson can play the 3. As a PF/C, he may get pushed outside his comfort zone by heavier opponents like Zoubek or Miles though they would probably be lined up on someone else, with Lance or Mason on Henson.

It is probably not all or nothing. He may be able to play SF vs. some ACC teams and not versus others. It would be interesting matchups both ways with Singler, Singleton, Aminu and Milton Jennings. Not sure how he matches up with Raji from BC or Dequan Jones from Maimi or JT Thompson from VA Tech.

What Henson lacks in lateral quickness he makes up for with length on the recovery and he does have the eraser Ed Davis there to cover when his man gets by him.

When matched up with a 3 guard set vs UVA or MD for example Ginyard takes Vasquez or Landesberg, so not sure who Henson can defend. It is not like Henson can post his man up since middle is already clogged by Deon and Davis, and not clear yet who besides possibly Graves who would not be on the floor in this scenario can hit from outside to open things up.

Assuming it is primarily Drew II and Ginyard paired with Henson the SF and two of Deon-Davis-Zeller, not sure there is a legit outside threat, despite assurances they are all working on their shot in off season. Isn't everybody and have they not been doing that every year?

[sagegrouse]

Sorry jim, im going to have to side at least partially with wheat on this one. While a lot of those big men did in fact develop, i would argue that it was not the result of k pouring into them. i think that for a lot of those guys, it was the result of being around for four years, learning the college game, and putting on muscle. and as far as shelden williams goes, it was well-known that he had a great relationship with wojo, so that's why he improved so drastically.

while i think the "duke doesn't develop big men" gets overplayed, i also think that there is some truth in it. k naturally gravitates toward and connects with guards. now i know tons of guys are going to come out of the woodwork and point out 47680 examples of how i'm wrong, but i think we can all agree that GENERALLY the guys k has really poured himself into and connected with have been at the 1-2-3 positions.

I think your statement is wrong and even unreasonable.

Most observers, including his peers, would rate coach K among the top ten all-time coaches, based on NCAA championships, conference championships, winning percentage, consistency, character-builing, and leadership in his profession (Olympic coach, e.g.). Saying that the Duke program is deficient in coaching big men is roughly like saying that a Michelin Three Star resaurant ("Worth a trip" in the guide's lingo) doesn't do a good job with fish. Maybe, if you had said, "In the five percent (or one percent)of game situations where a zone is needed, Duke doesn't do that very well"...?

There is no way Duke and K are as successful as they have been over the long haul without being consistently outstanding in coaching and developing players in every major part of the game, especially in coaching big men and the inside game, which is the stuff that really has to be taught, because the seven-footers are typically way behind in coordination and moves.

Ferry, Alaa, Parks, Laettner, Brand, Boozer, Shelden, and even Shav (w/ injuries) developed significantly through their years at Duke.

There's more, but I am out of time.

sagegrouse

[Wheat/"/"/"]

With a healthy Ginyard one of your concerns at the 2 or 3 is solved.

Just because Henson does not have the body for a C/PF does not make him a SF. His FT shooting is atrocious but so was Brandan Wright who he reminds me of a little.

Whether he can play SF on either end of the floor remains to be seen, but I do agree that is the key to solving the PT dilemmma since I am pretty sure none of Deon, Davis or Zeller can play SF. Also agree the Wear twins only see garbage time.

Despite his near anorexia, Henson can be a good above the rim player on both ends of the floor, just not sure sure nor are many THR faithful whether Henson can play the 3. As a PF/C, he may get pushed outside his comfort zone by heavier opponents like Zoubek or Miles though they would probably be lined up on someone else, with Lance or Mason on Henson.

It is probably not all or nothing. He may be able to play SF vs. some ACC teams and not versus others. It would be interesting matchups both ways with Singler, Singleton, Aminu and Milton Jennings. Not sure how he matches up with Raji from BC or Dequan Jones from Maimi or JT Thompson from VA Tech.

What Henson lacks in lateral quickness he makes up for with length on the recovery and he does have the eraser Ed Davis there to cover when his man gets by him.

When matched up with a 3 guard set vs UVA or MD for example Ginyard takes Vasquez or Landesberg, so not sure who Henson can defend. It is not like Henson can post his man up since middle is already clogged by Deon and Davis, and not clear yet who besides possibly Graves who would not be on the floor in this scenario can hit from outside to open things up.

Assuming it is primarily Drew II and Ginyard paired with Henson the SF and two of Deon-Davis-Zeller, not sure there is a legit outside threat, despite assurances they are all working on their shot in off season. Isn't everybody and have they not been doing that every year?

I have not seen much of Henson, certainly not enough to have a set opinion of his skills. I know the media seems to think he walks on water, but i've seen that movie before. They get way to carried away with potential.

That said, I just don't see how he is going to beat out any of the three NBA quality big men ahead of him as a rail thin freshman.

I think Henson is in the rotation this year mainly as a backup to Ginyard at the 3 and a small amount of time backing up the 4.

Maybe he is just too good to keep off the floor, but I'll have to see him play before I'll believe that considering his competition.

[Duvall]

Sorry jim, im going to have to side at least partially with wheat on this one. While a lot of those big men did in fact develop, i would argue that it was not the result of k pouring into them. i think that for a lot of those guys, it was the result of being around for four years, learning the college game, and putting on muscle. and as far as shelden williams goes, it was well-known that he had a great relationship with wojo, so that's why he improved so drastically.

Wait, what? What does development mean, if not this?

[House G]

:

I can't remember the 1992 game at LSU but in 1991 at CID, Shaq was so befuddled on D against Christian's inside moves that Dale Brown pulled him out of the game well before the end. Shaq played 28 mins. and had 15 pts, 10 RBs, and 4 fouls vs. Christian's 24 pts., 11 RBs and 3 fouls.

sagegrouse

In fairness to Shaq, the LSU team that visited CIS in 1991 looked like they had me playing point guard (in more ways than one ). LSU literally could not get the ball across mid-court because of Duke's pressure. When they did succeed, Shaq found himself triple-teamed because LSU had no outside shooters. Shaq was frustrated all day and ended up in foul trouble.

[House G]

Shaq actually outplayed Laettner in the '92 rematch in Baton Rogue. For 30 minutes. But Laettner dominated down the stretch and Duke won.

Back to the OP. Who wouldn't like another Elton Brand? Seen any lately? In college?

But Duke has a 6'11" freshman who many think will be an NBA lottery pick in 2 or 3 years. Not saying Plumlee is going to be as good as Laettner or Ferry or Parks but he's about the same size, has an advanced skill set, well above average athleticism, and his intangibles are off the charts.

So maybe Duke has its dominant post.

I had the pleasure of being at this game in Baton Rouge. Bobby Hurley was hurt and Coach K asked Grant Hill to play the point. LSU had Duke dominated all day until Laettner hit two monster 3-pointers and Duke went to the "hack-a-Shaq" strategy. I don't remember how many free throws Shaq missed in the last two minutes but those bricks are still clanging in my ears.