This thread has taken every twist and turn imaginable and I have to admit that I haven't read every page. I am though a little disappointed in the main theme of the last page and a half of comments so I pose the following question for your response to get the focus back on Wall.
I think there is a good argument to be made that John Wall needs Duke more than Duke needs John Wall. A few of the bases for my argument would be as follows:
1) Wall needs an image adjustment to solidify him as a top pick in next year's draft. Yes he is likely to go high anyway but he wants to be sure that he is going to maximize the money he might be able to make... i.e. be in line for endorsements as well as being taken high. Many of you don't seem to think so but I would bet a small fortune that Wall would be a choirboy while at Duke if he chose to come.
2) His real money is going to be made in the NBA as a distributor and not necessarily a scorer. I won't take the time to develop this as an argument here but those who have watched him play should know by now that his game is best suited for playing a style where he is pass first or finish off the drive.
3) People overlook his tenacious defensive skills which I think he really wishes to showcase as a part of his skill set. Cal's system isn't all that known for stressing tough defense (although I'd argue that Cal should get a little bit more credit than he does for that). Duke's best defender is almost always in the running for National Defensive Player of the Year.
4) Like them or not, Beckwith and Clifton have been good influences on Wall and although they wouldn't have the kind of access to him that they have now, they probably would have more if he stayed closer to home than if he were to go to Kentucky or the state of Florida.
5) Everyone has already seen what kind of things Wall can do in a free flowing NBA style offensive system but I think he'd gain the most from being able to showcase what he can do in a different type of system night in and night out against a level of competition that is consistently better across the board than the SEC is right now.
6) This one goes back to number one but I also want to add that showing everyone that he can handle the demands of a Coach like K and an academic atmosphere like the one at Duke would also put to rest all of the other "concerns" that people have raised about his character. For big man prospects I don't think character issues tend to matter as much on draft day but for wing players (given that they are usually plentiful) it can make a difference in terms of which slot you go.
7) JW's biggest percieved attribute is his quickness and I think playing at Duke will highlight that. Every time on the court he will be clearly the fastest man wearing royal blue and white... he might not get to show that off at any of his other choices (State and Baylor aside).
Any way...what do you all think? Again forgive me if this discussion to place earlier...I'm not reading back through over 2000 posts...