The Kyrie Irving Toe Vigil

[Delaware]

this is the funniest post I have ever read. this guy really belongs on the IC. One injury to a star freshmen and you are ready to jump ship? The season is over? If you guys make 15 three pointers a game, you will still beat anyone in the country. Duke is still just as capable as any other team in the country at this point. If you really want to feel bad for yourselves, then please do so, but if you want to keep things in perspective, then look at UNC's performance over the last couple of years and then feel better about things. I think K is preparing everyone for the worst case scenario. Take a few deep breaths and relax. I imagine he will be back before the ACC is over if not before it starts. Plenty of time to re-bond with the team and win another NC's. Wait a second, what am I saying, why would I try and give my enemies here on the DBR a pick-me-up?

I detected sarcasm, but only the poster knows for sure...

[-jk]

this is the funniest post I have ever read. this guy really belongs on the IC. One injury to a star freshmen and you are ready to jump ship? The season is over? If you guys make 15 three pointers a game, you will still beat anyone in the country. Duke is still just as capable as any other team in the country at this point. If you really want to feel bad for yourselves, then please do so, but if you want to keep things in perspective, then look at UNC's performance over the last couple of years and then feel better about things. I think K is preparing everyone for the worst case scenario. Take a few deep breaths and relax. I imagine he will be back before the ACC is over if not before it starts. Plenty of time to re-bond with the team and win another NC's. Wait a second, what am I saying, why would I try and give my enemies here on the DBR a pick-me-up?

I detected sarcasm, but only the poster knows for sure...

I detected bemusement...

-jk

[kong123]

I detected bemusement...

-jk

i am amused by cockabue's post, not Kyrie's injury. please do not read more into it.

thanks

[Andre Buckner Fan]

You are wayyyyy off base here. This isn't some ploy by Coach K to trick the media into stopping talk of us going undefeated.

This is a serious injury.

I didn't mean to sound flippant. I never doubted for a second that this injury is serious or real. I hope it was clear that I never once said that K was lying or that Kyrie isn't in serious pain. I thought that went without saying.

I was only noticing that the media is doing a lot by only citing two sources. They tend to do that a lot. K doesn't tend to give much grist to the media mill, so I wondered if they were over-reading into his few statements on the matter.

I didn't mean the post to be read like a conspiracy at all. Just commenting on the fickleness of the media.

Mea culpa. Mea culpa. Mea culpa.

[killerleft]

1) Duke has consistently predicted longer recuperation times, usually injured players return early.

2) Given that Kyrie Irving appears to be our top sure-fire NBA star since Jay Williams, I think they are being extremely cautious about his toe.

3) Duke fans are scared, Kyrie is scared. So...

A) Summoning up optimism (Ozzie-ness) and a barely-educated "feeling" about such things, I predict that Kyrie will be on the floor for the UNC-G game, when Coach K should pass Dean Smith on the all-time wins list.

B) Once the Oz-Op has been invoked, there must follow a "GTHC".

GTHC!!!!

[Devil07]

Here's another article with some more quotes from Kyrie's father:
http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_s...e=main_article

Nothing there that we didn't already pretty much know: they didn't think it was serious at first, then it started swelling, and now they have to wait until that goes down before anyone knows anything definitive. I was at least happy to see the serendipity of this though:

A team of foot specialists from around the nation, including a Duke physician, will review results of the tests completed on Kyrie Irving’s right foot this weekend during a previously scheduled orthopedic specialists conference.

If nothing else, we should take comfort in knowing that Kyrie is in very good hands.

[Duke: A Dynasty]

Worst Case Scenario:
-Irving doesn’t ever play again for Duke.
-Duke fails to find a cohesion in their back court and the lack of true point guard is exposed.
-The home winning streak against non-conference foes ends.
-They stumble to 10-6 in the ACC and finish third.
-Finish regular season 24-7, ranked number #17.
-Lose in ACC semi-finals.
-Enter NCAA tournament 25-8 as a #5 seed.
-Lose to the #4 seed in the second round.
-End season 26-9.
-Irving leaves for NBA or Europe depending on NBA lockout.
-Nolan Smith & Kyle Singler are 2nd team All-ACC.

Best Case Scenario:-Irving returns by the Miami game.
-Duke picks up where they left off before Irving went out.
-Win ACC by going 15-1.
-Finish regular season 30-1, ranked number #1 all season long.
-Win ACC Tournament, beating UNC a third time in the tournament.
-Enter NCAA Tournament 33-1 as the number #1 over-all seed.
-Blow through everyone, roll into Houston at 37-1.
-Coach K passes Bobby Knight as all-time Division I winningest mens coach.
-Win the fifth championship in Duke history, finish 39-1.
-Irving & Smith are first team All-ACC and second team All-Americans, Singler is second team All-ACC & third team All-American.
-Irving returns for sophomore season as NBA lockout is imminent.

Most Likely Scenario:-Irving returns sometime before February, fully healthy.
-Duke has fallen from ranks of unbeaten and from #1 in the polls.
-Win ACC at 13-3.
-Home winning streak against non-conference foes still intact.
-Finish season at 28-3, ranked #1.
-Win ACC Tournament.
-Enter NCAA Tournament 31-3 and a number #1 seed.
-Make it to Houston at 35-3.
-Coach K ties Bobby Knight as all-time Division I winningest mens coach.
-Fall in Houston, Coach K remains tied with Coach Knight.
-Irving & Smith are first team All-ACC, Irving is second team All-American
-Irving, Smith, Singler & Mason Plumlee all leave for the NBA.

http://www.dukebluedevilsrant.com/20...cenarios.html/

[91_92_01_10_15]

http://twitter.com/#!/kyrieirving

"Thanks again for all you guys concern. It really lifts my spirits to know that people care. I can only sit back and wait now"

[SuperTurkey]

Worst Case Scenario:
-Irving doesn’t ever play again for Duke.
-Duke fails to find a cohesion in their back court and the lack of true point guard is exposed.
-The home winning streak against non-conference foes ends.
-They stumble to 10-6 in the ACC and finish third.
-Finish regular season 24-7, ranked number #17.
-Lose in ACC semi-finals.
-Enter NCAA tournament 25-8 as a #5 seed.
-Lose to the #4 seed in the second round.
-End season 26-9.
-Irving leaves for NBA or Europe depending on NBA lockout.
-Nolan Smith & Kyle Singler are 2nd team All-ACC.

Best Case Scenario:-Irving returns by the Miami game.
-Duke picks up where they left off before Irving went out.
-Win ACC by going 15-1.
-Finish regular season 30-1, ranked number #1 all season long.
-Win ACC Tournament, beating UNC a third time in the tournament.
-Enter NCAA Tournament 33-1 as the number #1 over-all seed.
-Blow through everyone, roll into Houston at 37-1.
-Coach K passes Bobby Knight as all-time Division I winningest mens coach.
-Win the fifth championship in Duke history, finish 39-1.
-Irving & Smith are first team All-ACC and second team All-Americans, Singler is second team All-ACC & third team All-American.
-Irving returns for sophomore season as NBA lockout is imminent.

Most Likely Scenario:-Irving returns sometime before February, fully healthy.
-Duke has fallen from ranks of unbeaten and from #1 in the polls.
-Win ACC at 13-3.
-Home winning streak against non-conference foes still intact.
-Finish season at 28-3, ranked #1.
-Win ACC Tournament.
-Enter NCAA Tournament 31-3 and a number #1 seed.
-Make it to Houston at 35-3.
-Coach K ties Bobby Knight as all-time Division I winningest mens coach.
-Fall in Houston, Coach K remains tied with Coach Knight.
-Irving & Smith are first team All-ACC, Irving is second team All-American
-Irving, Smith, Singler & Mason Plumlee all leave for the NBA.

http://www.dukebluedevilsrant.com/20...cenarios.html/

I would be totally cool with either scenario 2 or 3. But best case scenario should be underrated.

[Kewlswim]

http://twitter.com/#!/kyrieirving

"Thanks again for all you guys concern. It really lifts my spirits to know that people care. I can only sit back and wait now"

Hi,

How do you know that is really "Kyrie Irving?" Can't some person just go to twitter and ask for the account name and viola? I'm not saying it isn't Kyrie, I was just wondering how we know for sure this is? (My goodness this post is making me feel old, I bet the young'ins are like, "Dude (or whatever kids use for dude these days) it's obvious it is him because twitter does blah blah blah.)

GO DUKE!

[SuperTurkey]

http://twitter.com/#!/kyrieirving

"Thanks again for all you guys concern. It really lifts my spirits to know that people care. I can only sit back and wait now"

Cool. If there was any doubt, that should make it clear that his tweet yesterday reflected a young man facing a painful setback of unknown duration, not a young man who knows that his season is over.

[SuperTurkey]

Hi,

How do you know that is really "Kyrie Irving?" Can't some person just go to twitter and ask for the account name and viola? I'm not saying it isn't Kyrie, I was just wondering how we know for sure this is? (My goodness this post is making me feel old, I bet the young'ins are like, "Dude (or whatever kids use for dude these days) it's obvious it is him because twitter does blah blah blah.)

GO DUKE!

He has posted there a ton. He follows family, friends, other players, etc, and they follow him back and retweet his comments. An impersonator wouldn't have lasted long without the real Kyrie hearing about it.

[1 24 90]

Worst Case Scenario:
-Irving doesn’t ever play again for Duke.
-Duke fails to find a cohesion in their back court and the lack of true point guard is exposed.
-The home winning streak against non-conference foes ends.
-They stumble to 10-6 in the ACC and finish third.
-Finish regular season 24-7, ranked number #17.
-Lose in ACC semi-finals.
-Enter NCAA tournament 25-8 as a #5 seed.
-Lose to the #4 seed in the second round.
-End season 26-9.
-Irving leaves for NBA or Europe depending on NBA lockout.
-Nolan Smith & Kyle Singler are 2nd team All-ACC.

Best Case Scenario:-Irving returns by the Miami game.
-Duke picks up where they left off before Irving went out.
-Win ACC by going 15-1.
-Finish regular season 30-1, ranked number #1 all season long.
-Win ACC Tournament, beating UNC a third time in the tournament.
-Enter NCAA Tournament 33-1 as the number #1 over-all seed.
-Blow through everyone, roll into Houston at 37-1.
-Coach K passes Bobby Knight as all-time Division I winningest mens coach.
-Win the fifth championship in Duke history, finish 39-1.
-Irving & Smith are first team All-ACC and second team All-Americans, Singler is second team All-ACC & third team All-American.
-Irving returns for sophomore season as NBA lockout is imminent.

Most Likely Scenario:-Irving returns sometime before February, fully healthy.
-Duke has fallen from ranks of unbeaten and from #1 in the polls.
-Win ACC at 13-3.
-Home winning streak against non-conference foes still intact.
-Finish season at 28-3, ranked #1.
-Win ACC Tournament.
-Enter NCAA Tournament 31-3 and a number #1 seed.
-Make it to Houston at 35-3.
-Coach K ties Bobby Knight as all-time Division I winningest mens coach.
-Fall in Houston, Coach K remains tied with Coach Knight.
-Irving & Smith are first team All-ACC, Irving is second team All-American
-Irving, Smith, Singler & Mason Plumlee all leave for the NBA.

http://www.dukebluedevilsrant.com/20...cenarios.html/

Doesn't 35-3 make Coack K pass Bob Knight after the regional final victory in the "most likely scenario"?

[-jk]

i am amused by cockabue's post, not Kyrie's injury. please do not read more into it.

thanks

That was my assumption.

-jk

[Bluedog]

Hi,

How do you know that is really "Kyrie Irving?" Can't some person just go to twitter and ask for the account name and viola? I'm not saying it isn't Kyrie, I was just wondering how we know for sure this is? (My goodness this post is making me feel old, I bet the young'ins are like, "Dude (or whatever kids use for dude these days) it's obvious it is him because twitter does blah blah blah.)

GO DUKE!

For famous individuals, twitter also goes through a verified account process. Such as you can see for LeBron, who tweeted to Kyrie a few days ago:

http://twitter.com/KingJames

It's Kyrie for sure. Even though he's not at the level of it being necessary for it to be "verified." Somebody did impersonate JJ Redick for a while, and it was taken down...But that "JJ" didn't get replies for people in the know ever. Kyrie has talked with friends, recruits, teammates, etc. a ton on this twitter account.

[CDu]

Worst Case Scenario:
-Irving doesn’t ever play again for Duke.
-Duke fails to find a cohesion in their back court and the lack of true point guard is exposed.
-The home winning streak against non-conference foes ends.
-They stumble to 10-6 in the ACC and finish third.
-Finish regular season 24-7, ranked number #17.
-Lose in ACC semi-finals.
-Enter NCAA tournament 25-8 as a #5 seed.
-Lose to the #4 seed in the second round.
-End season 26-9.
-Irving leaves for NBA or Europe depending on NBA lockout.
-Nolan Smith & Kyle Singler are 2nd team All-ACC.

Best Case Scenario:-Irving returns by the Miami game.
-Duke picks up where they left off before Irving went out.
-Win ACC by going 15-1.
-Finish regular season 30-1, ranked number #1 all season long.
-Win ACC Tournament, beating UNC a third time in the tournament.
-Enter NCAA Tournament 33-1 as the number #1 over-all seed.
-Blow through everyone, roll into Houston at 37-1.
-Coach K passes Bobby Knight as all-time Division I winningest mens coach.
-Win the fifth championship in Duke history, finish 39-1.
-Irving & Smith are first team All-ACC and second team All-Americans, Singler is second team All-ACC & third team All-American.
-Irving returns for sophomore season as NBA lockout is imminent.

Most Likely Scenario:-Irving returns sometime before February, fully healthy.
-Duke has fallen from ranks of unbeaten and from #1 in the polls.
-Win ACC at 13-3.
-Home winning streak against non-conference foes still intact.
-Finish season at 28-3, ranked #1.
-Win ACC Tournament.
-Enter NCAA Tournament 31-3 and a number #1 seed.
-Make it to Houston at 35-3.
-Coach K ties Bobby Knight as all-time Division I winningest mens coach.
-Fall in Houston, Coach K remains tied with Coach Knight.
-Irving & Smith are first team All-ACC, Irving is second team All-American
-Irving, Smith, Singler & Mason Plumlee all leave for the NBA.

http://www.dukebluedevilsrant.com/20...cenarios.html/

Well, I'm guessing the optimists would say that even one loss would not be the best case scenario.

As for the "most likely" scenario, I don't think we have enough information about Irving's injury to have any idea what the most likely amount of time he's out will be.

[Andre Buckner Fan]

How do you feel about the Moon landings? The second shooter on the hill? The Knights Templar? Black helicopters and the One-World-Government?

Might as well trot out all the absurd conspiracy theories.

Yes, a post mentioning that Coach K never has worn his heart on his sleeve with the media is exactly the same thing as paranoid delusions of little green men coming to conquer earth.

[MCFinARL]

Well, I'm guessing the optimists would say that even one loss would not be the best case scenario.

As for the "most likely" scenario, I don't think we have enough information about Irving's injury to have any idea what the most likely amount of time he's out will be.

Yes, it might make sense to call this a "compromise" or maybe "most plausible" scenario--I assume the OP's intent was to come up with a scenario reflecting that fact that, most of the time, life ends up being something in between the worst case and the best case. From that perspective, this scenario may be "most likely," but of course that's not a conclusion with a high confidence interval.

[CDu]

Yes, it might make sense to call this a "compromise" or maybe "most plausible" scenario--I assume the OP's intent was to come up with a scenario reflecting that fact that, most of the time, life ends up being something in between the worst case and the best case. From that perspective, this scenario may be "most likely," but of course that's not a conclusion with a high confidence interval.

Yeah, I think the confidence interval of best case to worst case (in terms of our results) is fairly reasonable - though perhaps a bit pessimistic on the ACC regular season record and thus the seeding. And I agree that our actual result will most likely be somewhere in between those extremes. Maybe I'm getting too hung up on the "most likely" estimate of the timing of Irving's return part. But I just don't think we have any way of knowing what's most likely/plausible with regard to the injury. And as such, I think it's impossible to say what the most plausible result of the season will be.

I guess I'd just leave it as a best/worst case scenario, and then say that the actual outcome would almost certainly fall somewhere in between.

Later edit: and I apologize for the nitpickiness!

[KandG]

If everyone wants to get annoyed at another take on Kyrie and Duke, feel free to read this piece. Classy:

http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketb...uke-undefeated