2017 NBA Draft Thread

[sagegrouse]

When is Duke going to look into whether there might be or is a problem with the floor surface? I know injuries are part of basketball and running and jumping are hard on the feet. But the number of broken feet and stress reactions cannot be normal, average or expected. Assuming there is a higher rate of such injuries than could reasonably be expected, isn't the floor surface something that should be evaluated?

And/or shoes? And/or combination of shoes/floor?

I agree everything should be checked, but don't the players all get custom-made shoes from Nike?

[dukelifer]

I agree everything should be checked, but don't the players all get custom-made shoes from Nike?

Or maybe the water in NC- Theo Pinson was out with a foot issue last year and Marcus Paige the year before that. When a big body jumps up and down repeatedly- some fraction of feet and knees are not going to do well due to subtle anomalies in structure. It would be useful to scan the basketball landscape and see who has various injuries and relate it to the brand of shoes they wear. The NCAA should have an interest in reducing injuries of student athletes but the shoe companies would fight it like crazy

[Rich]

Hamidou Diallo is bypassing 2017 NBA Draft to return to Kentucky

http://www.sbnation.com/college-bask...nba-draft-2017

Edit: Just noticed this reported in another thread.

[chriso]

Or maybe the water in NC- Theo Pinson was out with a foot issue last year and Marcus Paige the year before that. When a big body jumps up and down repeatedly- some fraction of feet and knees are not going to do well due to subtle anomalies in structure. It would be useful to scan the basketball landscape and see who has various injuries and relate it to the brand of shoes they wear. The NCAA should have an interest in reducing injuries of student athletes but the shoe companies would fight it like crazy

They can rename the court Coach K Bouncy Castle. Lot more dunks.

[Troublemaker]

When is Duke going to look into whether there might be or is a problem with the floor surface? I know injuries are part of basketball and running and jumping are hard on the feet. But the number of broken feet and stress reactions cannot be normal, average or expected. Assuming there is a higher rate of such injuries than could reasonably be expected, isn't the floor surface something that should be evaluated?

And/or shoes? And/or combination of shoes/floor?

I'd be surprised if the program hasn't held in-depth discussions about this, no matter what they ultimately concluded (bad luck or not bad luck).

But all of it would fall under the Cone of Silence, so we fans will never know about these discussions (or formal testing of the equipment if it came to that). Meaning we shouldn't assume that they haven't taken place just because we haven't heard about them.

[CrazyNotCrazie]

When is Duke going to look into whether there might be or is a problem with the floor surface? I know injuries are part of basketball and running and jumping are hard on the feet. But the number of broken feet and stress reactions cannot be normal, average or expected. Assuming there is a higher rate of such injuries than could reasonably be expected, isn't the floor surface something that should be evaluated?

I remember that back in 1997 when they changed the courts, one of the reasons for the change was for exactly this reason - the new surface was supposed to help minimize injuries. If my memory is correct, I think we should ask for our money back...

[Owen Meany]

I remember that back in 1997 when they changed the courts, one of the reasons for the change was for exactly this reason - the new surface was supposed to help minimize injuries. If my memory is correct, I think we should ask for our money back...

I remember this also, but not enough specifics to mention this when the need for a new floor has been discussed in the past. According to GoDuke.com "The first part of that expansion and improvement project was the installation of a new floor in Cameron Indoor Stadium after the 1996-97 season. The latest advancements in floor technology were utilized to give the Blue Devils one of the finest playing surfaces in the entire country."


I know at the time it was said the floor was state-of-the-art and had special cushioning technology to lessen the impact (and presumably injuries) on players. This point was emphasized (even at that time, Duke had already had a lot of foot injuries with Hurley, Hill, Collins, Brand, etc. in addition to what seemed to be an unusual amount of "high ankle sprains"). Unfortunately, I can not find specifics on the internet, because some may find what I remember to be strange or unlikely. But... IIRC the new floor Cameron received at that time was said to have small springs underneath to help cushion impact for players. It was unique to me and stood out enough (how many springs, how to get consistency across that large of a surface, how to balance the "give" in the floor so its enough but not too much) that I remembered it. But, of course, I can find nothing about it now.


Please note, I am not saying the floor has caused injuries. It is possible that we just remember these injuries more because they have affected so many Duke seasons. The worst, Kyrie Irving, which prevented the real possibility of an undefeated season, actually happened away from Cameron but is often grouped with other injuries. But I do remember the installation of the new floor and its touted sub-flooring.

[Atlanta Duke]

The Ringer evaluates top draft prospects, including Jayson Tatum and Luke Kennard (with the Luke evaluation including the obligatory racist statement)

The Chris Bosh Honorary Safe Bets
Jayson Tatum, Duke

By March, Tatum had established himself as the Blue Devils’ go-to option through sheer will and the fact that he was a mismatch nightmare for opponents. (Also helping: his refusal to pass the ball to Kennard.)...

The Graduates From the DeAndre Jordan School of Specialists
Luke Kennard, Duke

He also had great court vision, proved a surprisingly effective rebounder, and ended his college career as the most (only?) likable great white Duke player ever.

https://theringer.com/nba-draft-casu...x-f89ef73bd37c

I have reached the point that the "white Duke player" jabs are an easy way to assess if a writer is too lazy to write something original

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

I feel like teams that pass on Tatum will want a do over come February or so.

[pfrduke]

I feel like teams that pass on Tatum will want a do over come February or so.

I think the real question will be whether they'll want a do-over 3 Februaries from now. I think it's not unreasonable to say that Tatum may be the most ready to come in and immediately contribute, but that others' ceilings may mean their long-term contributions are greater.

[Olympic Fan]

Interesting interview with Magic Johnson about the Lakers plans leading up to the draft.

He said the team is open to almost any moves -- except one: Brandon Ingram is the team's one untouchable.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/1...kers-offseason

[BD80]

Interesting interview with Magic Johnson about the Lakers plans leading up to the draft.

He said the team is open to almost any moves -- except one: Brandon Ingram is the team's one untouchable.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/1...kers-offseason

Probably means they won't draft Tatum.

[Furniture]

http://www.draftexpress.com/amp/arti...nterview-5955/
Nice interview. With watching.

[Furniture]

Duke in the NBA @DukeNBA·1h




Amile Jefferson worked out for the Timberwolves this week.

[drummerdevil]

Duke in the NBA @DukeNBA·1h




Amile Jefferson worked out for the Timberwolves this week.

Great! Would love to have him!

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

http://www.draftexpress.com/amp/arti...nterview-5955/
Nice interview. With watching.

Strangely seemed to dodge the question about his year at Duke.

[Furniture]

Strangely seemed to dodge the question about his year at Duke.

I actually thought the same thing. The answer was a little....odd.

[NM Duke Fan]

Jackson, Giles, and Bradley all mentioned, just one viewpoint, time will tell ...

http://www.cbssports.com/college-bas...ed-in-college/

[brlftz]

Strangely seemed to dodge the question about his year at Duke.

Nothing weird there to me. He obviously had a very disappointing year and is just saying that he's moving on from it

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Jackson, Giles, and Bradley all mentioned, just one viewpoint, time will tell ...

http://www.cbssports.com/college-bas...ed-in-college/

Seems a weird time to post this article. You could post it after the draft. You could post it after rookie seasons. Posting it in the window between declaring and drafting... is it just so you can say "I told you so?"