End of Season thoughts.

[jsimmons]

Just a couple of quick thoughts on the season heading into the post season. I will be interested to hear your thoughts as well.

- I cant tell if Josh should go pro. If he goes down I think his play has taken away some of the potential NBA guys might have see nin him. Secondly If he stays do you think he will be starting once this new class begins to gel. Josh continues to underachieve, and seems to have a ****iness about him that I dont understand. He hasnt played to a degree that would allow ****iness. He seems to be in slow motion when he inbounds the ball, and seems to care more about making a flashy play, than finishing a play.

-I dont see how Paulus will be starting once Nolan is comfortable in the offense. I would be surprised if he is starting once conference play begins. He is outsmarted more than outplayed, and that is something that worries me. He makes bad passing decision still, and hasnt seemed to progress much this year. His defense has continually declined, and isnt fast enough to keep up with the elite guards in the conference. He reminds me of Duhon. Consistent poor decisions on offense, and defense that is shaky at best.

-Henderson will continue to develop and will be very key next year. His offense will be a much needed pick me up, and is a tough match up for other teams.

-McClure brings nothing to the table offensively. He has to work more in the off season if he is to play next year.

Cant wait to hear your thoughts.

[Fish80]

Are you a tar heel?

[wiscodevil]

Just a couple of quick thoughts on the season heading into the post season. I will be interested to hear your thoughts as well.

- I cant tell if Josh should go pro. If he goes down I think his play has taken away some of the potential NBA guys might have see nin him. Secondly If he stays do you think he will be starting once this new class begins to gel. Josh continues to underachieve, and seems to have a ****iness about him that I dont understand. He hasnt played to a degree that would allow ****iness. He seems to be in slow motion when he inbounds the ball, and seems to care more about making a flashy play, than finishing a play.

-I dont see how Paulus will be starting once Nolan is comfortable in the offense. I would be surprised if he is starting once conference play begins. He is outsmarted more than outplayed, and that is something that worries me. He makes bad passing decision still, and hasnt seemed to progress much this year. His defense has continually declined, and isnt fast enough to keep up with the elite guards in the conference. He reminds me of Duhon. Consistent poor decisions on offense, and defense that is shaky at best.

-Henderson will continue to develop and will be very key next year. His offense will be a much needed pick me up, and is a tough match up for other teams.

-McClure brings nothing to the table offensively. He has to work more in the off season if he is to play next year.

Cant wait to hear your thoughts.

mole. and you don't know a lot about basketball. other than that, i'm with you 100%.

[jsimmons]

Actually I am not a mole but thanks. Thats why I posed the question,,,what did I say that was wrong? I am trying to have a discussion here.

[highlandangel]

I think one of the biggest problems in my opinion with the post was your point about McClure. Offense isn't just getting the ball in the basket - it's being in position for screens, rebounds, hustling, on both ends of the court. Quite frankly I would consider McClure one of the most valuable players this season, not on the stat sheet, but game in and game out he has played with more heart and hustle in EVERY game then many players in the conference this year.

[jtholland]

my email says alumni.duke.edu, and I think he's spot on. Although I think Paulus will play some next year, he might be fighting for his job, and McRoberts should have gone last year if he cared about his money/career. He has no post moves to speak of, and no jumper. How will he score in the league?

That being said, I'm more interested in figuring out how we can still cause some damage this year. Other than to Tyler's nose.

[Constantstrain 81]

There is no big man in the conference with more responsibility on him than Josh. He plays big minutes, handles the ball, rebounds, has to try to create his own shots from all angles (still his weakest point), and has to totally anchor the defense. He might be more important to our defense than Shelden was last year. Only the consistent mid-range shot and the consistent post move remain (that will have to wait until the summer). He is a warrior. He had back surgery last summer, got little work in, and has been showered with expectations all season long. Yet, he is still showing up and doing everything.

Paulus not starting? He is the team's leader. His shooting and leadership is evident in everything he does. All this with the heavy weight of expectations and poor comments from everywhere (even from his own Duke fans). Instead of appreciating Greg and his leadership - sometimes we tend to spend all of our time comparing him to other famous Duke players that he is not. He is Greg Paulus and he will usher in the next great era of Duke Basketball. Heck, he might even do it this year.

I am proud to be a fan of Duke and this two young lions. Injuries, the toughest schedule in the league, huge expectations, the youngest Duke team in 60 years, and the huge "pay-back" that every team wants for us -- all that and we finish 8-8 (Win Va Tech, Va, and FSU and we are tied for first - all were winnable games lost at the last second).

I am looking forward to the tournaments.

[dbowen]

I'm sure you'd love to hear my comments; but this board would not appreciate the profanity and other comments I would use to reply to your rediculous post.
This is a young team and that's something we'll have to live with.
Attacking Josh and Greg (Both young sophomores OH, By The Way) will not make this team any better and will not make our fan base any better.
Sorry if this seems a little harsh, but you need to go find a closet because you've just labeled yourself a fair weather fan.

[jsimmons]

highlandangel
Member Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 9

McClure

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think one of the biggest problems in my opinion with the post was your point about McClure. Offense isn't just getting the ball in the basket - it's being in position for screens, rebounds, hustling, on both ends of the court. Quite frankly I would consider McClure one of the most valuable players this season, not on the stat sheet, but game in and game out he has played with more heart and hustle in EVERY game then many players in the conference this year.


- He reminds me of Battier in his first couple of years. Somone who could play D, rebound and play scrappy. But if you remember the older he got the more offensive production he contributed. I hope McClure is the same way, he has a way to go, but it would be nice to see him continue developing a total game.

[dukie8]

There is no big man in the conference with more responsibility on him than Josh. He plays big minutes, handles the ball, rebounds, has to try to create his own shots from all angles (still his weakest point), and has to totally anchor the defense. He might be more important to our defense than Shelden was last year. Only the consistent mid-range shot and the consistent post move remain (that will have to wait until the summer). He is a warrior. He had back surgery last summer, got little work in, and has been showered with expectations all season long. Yet, he is still showing up and doing everything.

Paulus not starting? He is the team's leader. His shooting and leadership is evident in everything he does. All this with the heavy weight of expectations and poor comments from everywhere (even from his own Duke fans). Instead of appreciating Greg and his leadership - sometimes we tend to spend all of our time comparing him to other famous Duke players that he is not. He is Greg Paulus and he will usher in the next great era of Duke Basketball. Heck, he might even do it this year.

I am proud to be a fan of Duke and this two young lions. Injuries, the toughest schedule in the league, huge expectations, the youngest Duke team in 60 years, and the huge "pay-back" that every team wants for us -- all that and we finish 8-8 (Win Va Tech, Va, and FSU and we are tied for first - all were winnable games lost at the last second).

I am looking forward to the tournaments.

you can't be serious if you think that mcroberts has more responsibility on him than any other big man. do you know who dudley is? who thornton is? please.

you are right that paulus is the leader and that is a big problem with this team -- there is no leadership. he has become a very effective shooter this year but, unfortunately, his main roles are to run the offense and guard the other team's pg and he has been very underwhelming in those regards.

[Duke15304]

You gotta be kinding me, Greg will def start next year, his d is suspect, but he is leader, he runs our offense well, and he is becoming a scorer, i even see him more vaulable next year when he wont have to score w/ Gerald, JonMcroberts and Nelson being improved(hopefully) and singler and King. i am not going in w/ high expatations from the freshman b/c dominate freshman dont come around often, but singler does look like a scorer, and King has a fast release, anyway, greg will be able to dish, and his shot will be there more, so yea your a loser, have a nice day

[Constantstrain 81]

I respect your thoughts - but I stand by my thoughts. Dudley and Thorton are big, but they are not "big" men. They don't guard big men, pick up the defensive slack, and carry the weight of expectations that big man have. This is not to suggest that Dudley and Thornton are not excellent players - simply to repeat that Josh has had more responsibility heaped on him than them. He is 19, coming off of back surgery, captain of the youngest Duke team in 60 years, and playing against teams waiting to revenge themselves on Duke for 16 years of misery. He has held up remarkably well. He has to play multiple roles on offense and defense, watch his fouls, play major minutes and ... he has no place to hide. We need him everywhere, all the time. That is what I mean by responsibility. He has stepped up. Whether he goes pro or not, I don't know. I'd love to see him stay another year and play after a summer of preparation.

Greg is a leader. Being a leader is not always wins and losses. It is a matter of perspective. Imagine being 6'1", captain of the Duke team and having all of the huge expectations heaped on you, having the national press and your own fans publically question you throughout - and yet you keep coming. You stand in the huddle and have all of those young kids looking at you and you have to deliver with calm, steady leadership. That has been Greg these last 10-12 games. Keeping the team on track, even with losses and pressure - that has been Greg. That is leadership. His assists are down 5.9 to 3.9 this year on a team that averages 20 points less a game. His scoring is up - hitting big shots over and over again - this from a short white guy that everyone expects to take the shot. Yet he does it.

I think we just need to be supportive and positive - these young guys are doing a great job. Anyway - we'll talk next year this time about Greg. I'll put my money on him.

Thanks for listening.

[BGDR]

I also don't see Nolan Smith coming in and starting at point over Paulus, a junior who has been starting for the last two years. Nolan Smith is a combo guard, in the mold Daniel Ewing. He is not a pure point. Eventually he'll turn out to be a solid player for us. But given the depth that we will have in the backcourt next year I am not even sure he will be able to crack the regular rotation and get significant PT as freshman.

He reminds me of Duhon. Consistent poor decisions on offense, and defense that is shaky at best.

If you think Duhon's defense is shaky, then I don't know what good defense is. Duhon was a great defender in college and very solid in the NBA. His defense is the main reason why he's been getting starts for the Bulls over Ben Gordon for the past two seasons.

[mapei]

I think Greg will and should start next year. His D is not great, but he has grown as an offensive PG and as a scorer.

Likewise Josh, whose play seemed to deteriorate a little late in the season but, in the first half or so of ACC play, he was spectacular. I don't see him as a great pro, and I think he has lots of room to grow still, but I do see him as an effective Duke starter and probably all-ACC if he stays.

McClure brings plenty to the table. He isn't a big scorer, but he's among the more valuable players this year.

What little I've seen of Nolan Smith doesn't particularly impress me as a potential starting point guard. Maybe a 2-guard or a sub at PG.

I don't buy that this is a particularly young team by today's college basketball standards. UNC is just as young, Texas is as young, I think, lots of teams are - because their good players go pro before their senior or even junior (and sometimes sophomore) seasons. It's young by Duke standards, and by historic standards, but it's not all *that* much younger, if at all, than lots of other teams that do well. No excuses.

[duke98]

Well, on Thursday, at least.

I'm making the conscious effort to clear my mind of all blown leads, dropped passes, hard fouls, and everything that has *not* made this our favorite season ever. Because now that the jockeying for position is over, it's time for the real season to start.

First, the ACC tournament. Let's tell Sidney Lowe thanks (for beating Carolina once in embarrassing fashion, and giving me something to fall back on when they beat us) but no thanks (for not beating them a second time, and preventing them from winning the ACC), and send NC State to an early offseason on Thursday. And we'll take it from there.

Next comes the NCAA tournament. We'll probably be a four or five seed -- our lowest since I don't remember when. But think of it this way -- as a 1 seed, we've fallen to our share of four seeds in the past few years. Wouldn't it be great to pull the upset this time?

I'm not trying to be unreasonably optimistic, as I'm sure many will accuse me -- I'm just trying to be a fan. The postseason has started, folks.

Next play.

Game on.

[jipops]

The title of this thread says end of season thoughts but the entire thread is dedicated to thinking about next season.

For one thing the season isn't actually over, the most important part of it is about to begin.

But in looking back I'm actually pretty happy with how things have turned out so far given everything that had to be overcome. Let's go back to the very beginning of the season:

--McRoberts was coming off a summer of back surgery.
--Paulus was coming off a wrist surgery and later a foot injury
--Nelson had spent the entire summer working out for the purpose of staying injury free for an entire season.
--McClure was coming off majory knee surgery

What did this mean?... none of these guys had the opportunity to focus on weaknesses in their games in the off-season and all four are the only players in rotation that are not freshmen. I don't think many people have understood this. The fact that we have been able to end the year with such a terrific RPI rating and get into the tournament after playing in such an experienced league is a very proud accomplishment. Naysayers only see on paper that we have a bunch of McD All-Americans but the actual level of skill available to put on the floor is not at the level of most of the other ACC teams. Sure we have guys with potential, but potential doesn't win games. For example, Kevin Durant doesn't have the potential to be a great college player, he IS a great college player. Tyler Hansbrough doesn't have the potential to be a great college player, he IS a great college player. Singletary, Dudley, Thornton, Wright, Gordon, are all very good ... see where I'm going with this?

So again, the fact that we have still been able to still win 20+ games after playing in one of the toughest non-conference schedules and THE toughest ACC schedule is something to be very, very proud of. This team has grown leaps and bounds from where it started. Take a look at Gerald's play and confidence. How about Paulus' scoring ability? See how Zoubek has become a decent stopper when posted one-on-one? How about the ability to pull out must win games on the road?... i.e. handling pressure, something this team did not do well early on.

Now hopefully we can squeak by State without Henderson (this could be rough), then we can see what else this growing team can accomplish.

[Chicago 1995]

You gotta be kinding me, Greg will def start next year, his d is suspect, but he is leader, he runs our offense well

Runs our offense well? Huh?

[dukie8]

Runs our offense well? Huh?

some people really really don't get it...

[FewFAC]

I can't speak to Josh's draft status as a lot of it depends on who leaves early or stays. Regardless, I suspect he can and will be a solid professional, the type of professional where Duke fans are once again scratching our heads wondering why we did not see that type of productivity from him in college.

I doubt Nolan Smith plays the 1G, but unless a real 1G materializes on campus from somewhere, the chances of him outplaying Paulus are slim to none simply because of the decisionmaker. Smith could run circles around Greg and not get the nod at Duke. I will be interested in his mental makeup because HS seems likes a vacation for him.

And yeah, McClure is a highly valuable player, especially on a team with serious defensive deficiencies.

[dukie8]

I can't speak to Josh's draft status as a lot of it depends on who leaves early or stays. Regardless, I suspect he can and will be a solid professional, the type of professional where Duke fans are once again scratching our heads wondering why we did not see that type of productivity from him in college.

I doubt Nolan Smith plays the 1G, but unless a real 1G materializes on campus from somewhere, the chances of him outplaying Paulus are slim to none simply because of the decisionmaker. Smith could run circles around Greg and not get the nod at Duke. I will be interested in his mental makeup because HS seems likes a vacation for him.

And yeah, McClure is a highly valuable player, especially on a team with serious defensive deficiencies.

this team has "serious defensive deficiencies?" other than paulus, what are they? this is one of the top defensive teams in the country and is on pace set a duke record for least ppg against.