timmy c
10-25-2010, 02:13 PM
In lieu of Jumbo’s absence, I’ve taken a moment to consider some questions to be included in Phase 0 (version ’10-’11). Feel free to offer any constructive criticisms…
1) Which Frontcourt player steps up to provide rebounding and defense?
With the loss of Lance and Brian, the front court will be the biggest question mark for this Duke team. In the big games, Duke will need at least one big (Mason, Miles, Hairston or Kelly) to provide something extra to get the win. Here’s a list of the four frontcourt players who will play minutes.
a) Is this Mason’s time to rise?
Draft Express still lists Mason as a first round choice in 2011. He does have the kind of freakish athleticism that the NBA scouts drool over, but he hasn’t shown me the killer instinct or basketball IQ yet to warrant that kind of ogling. Silly fouls and turnovers could cost him some playing time. So far, he can be labeled by one of my least favorite words – potential.
b) What is Miles Plumlee role?
Miles was the starter last year but got supplanted before the 1st Maryland game. Z went for huge numbers and never looked back. Can Miles return to the starting lineup and take advantage of the physical gifts that earned him the starting spot last year?
c) Will Ryan Kelly challenge for a major role?
Ryan Kelly couldn’t get on the floor last year due to weight and defensive liability. He’s bigger now, but it was impossible to measure his growth against the front line of St. Aug’s. The level of the opposing quality bigs might not be high enough until the CBE Classic to evaluate how much he has improved in the last year.
d) Can Josh Hairston get enough run to get acclimated to the D-1 b-ball?
Hairston made the under-18 US national team, coached by Jeff Capel, because of his defense and work ethic. He didn’t need to have the ball in his hands to have an impact on the game. Will he be able to do the same thing for Duke?
2) Can Duke stay healthy?
Jumbo’s #1 question last year. With the depth on this team, this won’t be quite as big an issue for the ’10-’11 team – but it’s still an issue.
Kyle Singler had knee surgery this summer. (Can you really call anything having to do with surgery minor?!!) Seth Curry has already earned eight stiches.
If practices are wars, will Duke suffer casualties?
3) Is Kyrie as good as advertised?
Coach K has described Irving as both mentally and physically mature. (Who am I to argue with Coach K?) With so many backcourt studs, Irving won’t have to carry a heavy load, but he will need to quarterback the offensive from day 1.
4) Can this team develop its own identity separate from last year’s success?
The wealth of talent on this squad makes for an interesting dilemma. With so much depth it is possible that the conference lineup and rotation will be different than the lineup we saw versus St. Aug.. Will shifting changes in lineups be as smooth as when Z-beard role increased at home against the twerps? Ultimately, talent alone doesn’t win championships. This team needs to find its own identity. It remains to be seen if that can happen.
5) How much will Singler play at the 4?
This goes back to question 1. Kyle was fantastic at the 3 last year, but he was a match-up nightmare for PF’s in his first two years. However, he also showed signs of fatigue after spending all conference banging with bigger guys. If coach K can pick the spots to play Kyle down low, they’ll be very dangerous in the final Phase of the season. If Kyle needs to play extended minutes as the 2nd tallest Duke Player on the court, Houston could be out of reach.
1) Which Frontcourt player steps up to provide rebounding and defense?
With the loss of Lance and Brian, the front court will be the biggest question mark for this Duke team. In the big games, Duke will need at least one big (Mason, Miles, Hairston or Kelly) to provide something extra to get the win. Here’s a list of the four frontcourt players who will play minutes.
a) Is this Mason’s time to rise?
Draft Express still lists Mason as a first round choice in 2011. He does have the kind of freakish athleticism that the NBA scouts drool over, but he hasn’t shown me the killer instinct or basketball IQ yet to warrant that kind of ogling. Silly fouls and turnovers could cost him some playing time. So far, he can be labeled by one of my least favorite words – potential.
b) What is Miles Plumlee role?
Miles was the starter last year but got supplanted before the 1st Maryland game. Z went for huge numbers and never looked back. Can Miles return to the starting lineup and take advantage of the physical gifts that earned him the starting spot last year?
c) Will Ryan Kelly challenge for a major role?
Ryan Kelly couldn’t get on the floor last year due to weight and defensive liability. He’s bigger now, but it was impossible to measure his growth against the front line of St. Aug’s. The level of the opposing quality bigs might not be high enough until the CBE Classic to evaluate how much he has improved in the last year.
d) Can Josh Hairston get enough run to get acclimated to the D-1 b-ball?
Hairston made the under-18 US national team, coached by Jeff Capel, because of his defense and work ethic. He didn’t need to have the ball in his hands to have an impact on the game. Will he be able to do the same thing for Duke?
2) Can Duke stay healthy?
Jumbo’s #1 question last year. With the depth on this team, this won’t be quite as big an issue for the ’10-’11 team – but it’s still an issue.
Kyle Singler had knee surgery this summer. (Can you really call anything having to do with surgery minor?!!) Seth Curry has already earned eight stiches.
If practices are wars, will Duke suffer casualties?
3) Is Kyrie as good as advertised?
Coach K has described Irving as both mentally and physically mature. (Who am I to argue with Coach K?) With so many backcourt studs, Irving won’t have to carry a heavy load, but he will need to quarterback the offensive from day 1.
4) Can this team develop its own identity separate from last year’s success?
The wealth of talent on this squad makes for an interesting dilemma. With so much depth it is possible that the conference lineup and rotation will be different than the lineup we saw versus St. Aug.. Will shifting changes in lineups be as smooth as when Z-beard role increased at home against the twerps? Ultimately, talent alone doesn’t win championships. This team needs to find its own identity. It remains to be seen if that can happen.
5) How much will Singler play at the 4?
This goes back to question 1. Kyle was fantastic at the 3 last year, but he was a match-up nightmare for PF’s in his first two years. However, he also showed signs of fatigue after spending all conference banging with bigger guys. If coach K can pick the spots to play Kyle down low, they’ll be very dangerous in the final Phase of the season. If Kyle needs to play extended minutes as the 2nd tallest Duke Player on the court, Houston could be out of reach.