I'm not sure that I understand all of the angst over Kyle's play this year. Obviously, he could be shooting the ball better and certainly, he could be taking some better shots. But, he
is averaging 15+ pts. and 7+ rebounds a game right now. Perhaps this all stems from everyone thinking that Kyle would have to be the one to replace the bulk of the scoring after the departure of Gerald. Perhaps we are having a hard time letting loose of our preseason excpectations for Kyle. Jon has increased his scoring by 5+ pts/game and Nolan has increased his scoring by 10+ pts/game. Last year G averaged 16.5 pts/game. Gerald's scoring has been accounted for, just not from the person we thought would be doing the scoring.
Instead of relishing in the improvement of Jon and Nolan (more so Nolan). We are wringing our hands over a kid averaging 15/7. We currently have 3 players averaging 15+ points/game. Is it reasonable or even logical to expect to have 3 players averaging 18+ points/game? How many teams in college basketball have ever had that type of production? My knowledge is limited, but I don't believe it has ever happened at Duke.
I guess that what I am trying to say is take a step back and look at what we have as a whole. We are 14-2 and ranked in the top 10. Our two losses have come at the hands of a Wisconsin team that not only shot lights out that game but has since proven to be a very good team, and a Georgia Tech team with two future NBA first rounders and refs that apparently call rugby games for a living. We have an All-American type player (just not the one everyone was expecting) and 3 All-ACC type players.
This ship is not sinking (not that anyone says it is).
Is Kyle capable of better? Yes. But, so are Mason and Miles. That, to me, is what makes this team so much fun to watch and root for. If the worst thing that Kyle does this year is average 15 and 7, I will be quite happy with that.
(On a side note, while I would never hope for any player to have a down year, the silver lining to Kyle
only averaging 15/7 could be that his draft stock drops and he returns for his senior season and hopefully a national title defense.
)