Discussion re: proceeding with the annual "Phase X" posts

[Lord Ash]

I would suggest a very minor tweak, which is to bump each UNC game up into the prior phase (i.e., phase 3 takes us through UNC, and phase 4 takes us through @UNC). Otherwise, great looking split.

Moderators, I hope no one minds me starting this; I didn't want to clutter up the Phase 1 thread, where a lot of actual basketball talk can happen, with just the "paperwork" of how we want to go forward with this?

Anyway, pfr, good idea... it gives each of phase 3 and 4 a nice "cap" to end it.

So, just to establish; each Phase focuses on a set (five, six, seven...) Key Concepts and Ideas for the upcoming "set" of games. Jumbo started us off in Phase 1 with his post. We can work off of Jumbos Phase 1, which leaves us needing at least FIVE more people to author them... one author for Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 4, Phase 5, and Phase 6. Authors usually address the previous Phases in addition to giving their own "keys" for their Phase of games.

Can we just have people "nominate" writers (who can of course say no thanks) and after we get a bunch of names then we can do a quick "Vote for phase writers" thing where everyone votes for five or howevermany folks, and then those five or howevermany folks each get a "phase" during the year? Are we okay with this?

[superdave]

Can we just have people "nominate" writers (who can of course say no thanks) and after we get a bunch of names then we can do a quick "Vote for phase writers" thing where everyone votes for five or howevermany folks, and then those five or howevermany folks each get a "phase" during the year? Are we okay with this?

Or do we want to have 3-4 people who email/PM a draft of an opening post for each Phase back and forth so we get a good quality (and consensus) first post?

[Lord Ash]

Hm, I don't know... personally I would trust the regular folks here to know which posters they would want to hear from, and those people to do a good job. We've already got Jumbos first post, and most folks have seen the Phase posts, so I think quality-wise we would likely be safe...

[superdave]

Everyone cool with this? UNC closes out each III and IV.

• Phase I - Princeton through Butler - Who are we? stage. 11/14 - 12/4
• Phase II - Bradley through Greensboro - Exams, Christmas and end of pre-ACC. 12/5 - 12/31
• Phase III - Miami through UNC#1 - First half of the ACC. 1/1 - 2/9
• Phase IV - Miami through UNC#2 - Second half of the ACC. 2/10 - 3/5
• Phase V - ACC tournament in Greensboro. 3/6 - 3/13

And nothing is a given so if we make the NCAAs, we'll have a Phase VI for the first weekend.

[Lord Ash]

Looks great to me, thanks for organizing that!

Maybe when a few other folks get a look at it, we can start naming folks we'd like to see write up a phase... if people are even okay with this idea? Just seems like it might be a fun way to hear from a few folks whose posts and contributions we appreciate... I know I have a few people I would love to see write one up!

[TigerDevil]

Sounds fantastic. I've enjoyed this iterative system and really appreciate you guys taking the time to organize it.

Everyone cool with this? UNC closes out each III and IV.

• Phase I - Princeton through Butler - Who are we? stage. 11/14 - 12/4
• Phase II - Bradley through Greensboro - Exams, Christmas and end of pre-ACC. 12/5 - 12/31
• Phase III - Miami through UNC#1 - First half of the ACC. 1/1 - 2/9
• Phase IV - Miami through UNC#2 - Second half of the ACC. 2/10 - 3/5
• Phase V - ACC tournament in Greensboro. 3/6 - 3/13

And nothing is a given so if we make the NCAAs, we'll have a Phase VI for the first weekend.

[NSDukeFan]

Moderators, I hope no one minds me starting this; I didn't want to clutter up the Phase 1 thread, where a lot of actual basketball talk can happen, with just the "paperwork" of how we want to go forward with this?

Anyway, pfr, good idea... it gives each of phase 3 and 4 a nice "cap" to end it.

So, just to establish; each Phase focuses on a set (five, six, seven...) Key Concepts and Ideas for the upcoming "set" of games. Jumbo started us off in Phase 1 with his post. We can work off of Jumbos Phase 1, which leaves us needing at least FIVE more people to author them... one author for Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 4, Phase 5, and Phase 6. Authors usually address the previous Phases in addition to giving their own "keys" for their Phase of games.

Can we just have people "nominate" writers (who can of course say no thanks) and after we get a bunch of names then we can do a quick "Vote for phase writers" thing where everyone votes for five or howevermany folks, and then those five or howevermany folks each get a "phase" during the year? Are we okay with this?

I appreciate your enthusiasm for the Phase reports (which I share) and think you have come across a great idea to use some of the great talent on this board, but I wonder if it is a bit early to plan ahead for the Phase reports unless you are certain than Jumbo will be unable. I may have misinterpreted his Phase post, but I think he should have first refusal on any Phase posts that he has the chance to do. Maybe he won't have the opportunity to do any, but I would appreciate his perspective, if possible. Otherwise, I think your ideas certainly have merit as I definitely enjoy the Phase discussions.

Hi folks. I apologize for the long absence, but I've been swamped and will continue to be similarly swamped for a while. So, one of the things I haven't been able to do is follow Duke hoops nearly as closely as usual (which, in some ways, feels healthy and refreshing). And I've had to make the choice to essentially stop contributing the boards.

Right now, I can't see any way that I'll be able to handle the plus/minus stuff during the season, and I don't have the energy at the moment for a full phase post. I don't know if I'll be able to manage others going forward, either. But given the flattering number of callouts that Jason made me aware of, I do want to offer a mini phase post, which someone could feel free to move into a different thread. And mostly, I just want to thank everyone for all the fun over the years. I'll be back with a greater presence at some point, I suspect. Until then, chew on these questions I have going into the season.

[Newton_14]

Looks great to me, thanks for organizing that!

Maybe when a few other folks get a look at it, we can start naming folks we'd like to see write up a phase... if people are even okay with this idea? Just seems like it might be a fun way to hear from a few folks whose posts and contributions we appreciate... I know I have a few people I would love to see write one up!

I would nominate Kedsy as one writer (no offense to any of the rest of the crowd)

[Kedsy]

I would nominate Kedsy as one writer (no offense to any of the rest of the crowd)

Thanks, Boozer. I was going to nominate you. But I'd be happy to help out, assuming Jumbo's schedule continues to make it difficult for him to do it.

[Lord Ash]

Ah yes, I am sorry, I did assume from Jumbo's post that he may not have a chance to do the reports this year as in the last two... if I misread that I am sorry!

Personally I would enjoy to see Airowe or Jim S take a phase, but if the pros would be unable I would enjoy seeing Ozzie4Duke take one...

[MulletMan]

I would just like to mention that this, right here, is what I love about DBR. There are very few other places on the interwebs where posters would proactively organize a reasonable and detailed discussion of something in this manner.

I would also like to point out, for the "olde timers" that this is the kind of thoughtful analysis of Duke basketball that some of us often lament missing from Juliovision, the SBBS, etc. Get involved "olde timers"! So that DBR continues to be the standard of fan sites on the web!

Good on ya, gang!

[NSDukeFan]

Ah yes, I am sorry, I did assume from Jumbo's post that he may not have a chance to do the reports this year as in the last two... if I misread that I am sorry!

Personally I would enjoy to see Airowe or Jim S take a phase, but if the pros would be unable I would enjoy seeing Ozzie4Duke take one...

If we are taking nominations, I agree with those mentioned so far and (for another non-moderator) would add CDu, though I haven't seen him posting much here lately.

[superdave]

I would just like to mention that this, right here, is what I love about DBR. There are very few other places on the interwebs where posters would proactively organize a reasonable and detailed discussion of something in this manner.

I would also like to point out, for the "olde timers" that this is the kind of thoughtful analysis of Duke basketball that some of us often lament missing from Juliovision, the SBBS, etc. Get involved "olde timers"! So that DBR continues to be the standard of fan sites on the web!

Good on ya, gang!

I appreciate your enthusiasm for the Phase reports (which I share) and think you have come across a great idea to use some of the great talent on this board, but I wonder if it is a bit early to plan ahead for the Phase reports unless you are certain than Jumbo will be unable. I may have misinterpreted his Phase post, but I think he should have first refusal on any Phase posts that he has the chance to do. Maybe he won't have the opportunity to do any, but I would appreciate his perspective, if possible. Otherwise, I think your ideas certainly have merit as I definitely enjoy the Phase discussions.

I do hope Jumbo can weigh in as much as possible, and I think all ensuing Phase threads should be based off his post from yesterday to a large extent. Of course we may have to add "Can they stay healthy?" just to keep our luck going.

These threads make my season complete - thanks, DBR!

[Jumbo]

I think we can figure this out as time goes by. I did neglect to map out Phase I, which I'd say is Princeton through the Butler game. I'm tempted to make it through the end of the CBE Classic, but let's stretch it out a bit. Anyway, let's see where things are come early December, then.

[airowe]

I'd like to nominate SilkyJ as well, if he has the time and is so inclined. I'm crazy busy with school/work/life/blog as it is right now, and am finding it hard to even put up articles on my own site...

[Saratoga2]

I miss Jumbo's phase reports. They tend to elicit lots for inciteful discussion. We seem to have reached a milestone now, with the difficult stretch behind us and slightly weaker opponents until the SCC starts.

I think what we have seen so far is that Kyrie is the real deal and is exceeding all expectations. Andre's play has improved to the extent that he will be getting starter minutes as an important player off the bench. Mason has shown a great deal of improvement as well.

I wonder if we can expect our turnovers to reduce oor the 15 a game are an artifact of playing an uptempo game.

I also wonder if our defense will improve to cut down on the open shots we are giving up. Certainly Nolan is playing excellent on ball defense and both Kyrie and Andre are improving their defense. Kyle hass always been a solid defender, but there seems to be a lack of cohesiveness to the defense, or perhaps they are just looking tired.

Finally, I don't see anyone of our bigs with great touch near the basket. Duks are great, but we are unlikely to get many of those. Where is the 10 foot jumper or the jump hook? Mason has the tools but he in close shooting seems to lack touch.

Hope someone grabs ahold of the phase reports if Jumbo is away in Africa for a long period.

[Lord Ash]

This was just brought up in another post, so thought I'd bring this up... does anyone know if Jumbo wants to keep doing this, or should we maybe ask a guest writer to take Phase 2?

[superdave]

Should we wrap up Phase I and start up Phase II on Monday or Tuesday? Who wants to take the lead on Phase II?

If Jumbo does not pop up in the next day or two, I believe Kedsy has been nominated!

Super "You around Jumbo?" Dave

[Saratoga2]

The greatest respect we can give to Jumbo is to continue his idea and efforts to the best of our abilities, assumiong he is unable to do so. There are a lot of good basketball people on the board who have access to the team. I trust one or more of them will make the effort to continue Jumbo's fine efforts. I like the schedule plan that was laid out earlier.

I look forward to the Phase II discussion.

[Neals384]

Kedsy, ready for your Phase II report!

Lord Ash, can we nominate you as well for a future phase?

You guys are great!