Favorite Player Poll - Wojo vs. Nate

[JasonEvans]

Like yesterday, we will do 3 polls today because 2 of them appear to be blowouts and we all love the tight races. This one shuld be super-tight.

On one side, the #15 seeded Nate James and we all know Nate is a bad #%@^. On the other side, the former defensive playter of the year and current assistant coach known simply by 4 letters, the #18 seeded Wojo.

--Jason "I am eager to see the arguments for each of these guys!" Evans

[dukeENG2003]

this is the favorite PLAYER poll, so I'm gonna have to vote for Nate. Overall, I like Wo better, but a lot of that has to do with his huge contributions as a coach. He has an amazing basketball mind and the biggest heart of any Blue Devil ever except possibly Battier, unfortunately, he's "Rudy" when it comes to his physical stature. The fact that he overcame this is certainly impressive, but I've gotta go with Nate on this one. Can't go wrong with either one though.

[riverside6]

I'm a bit surprised Wojo isn't a runaway thus far, although Nate is a bad-###.

[johnb]

I never thought I'd vote against either of these guys...

[MulletMan]

I voted for the Dawg, simply because without him we don't win the title in 2001. Period.

[blazindw]

This was a tough call...in the end, I went with Nate Dogg. Without Nate James in '01, we don't win ACCs, and we certainly, IMO, don't win the National Championship. The ultimate glue guy, he did anything and everything we needed to get over the top...including being a bad-@**

[EarlJam]

This was a tough call...in the end, I went with Nate Dogg. Without Nate James in '01, we don't win ACCs, and we certainly, IMO, don't win the National Championship. The ultimate glue guy, he did anything and everything we needed to get over the top...including being a bad-@**

Agreed. To me he was always a bigger, stronger Brian Davis. Without Davis, I'm not sure we win the '91 championship. He was a workhorse who did a lot of dirty work as well.

-EarlJam

[killerleft]

This one's a toss-up. Voted for Wojo. Both were incredibly hard workers, both sacrificed whatever it took to make their team better. But Wojo's feet were so fast he could step on someone's toes anytime he felt like it.

[Jaymf7]

I think Wojo benefited from the genetic lottery in terms of how I called this one. While both Wojo and Nate were tremendous workers and team players, I have always been amazed that Wojo competed so well at the elite Duke level. As a fan, when I watched Nate do his thing on the court he was inspiring but I could not see myself in his shoes due to his physical gifts.

I know Wojo had athletic gifts as well, but they were less immediately apparent to me as a fan. Somehow that made him more fun to watch (if he can, anyone with the will and heart can). I think it was also a reason why opposing teams hated him -- how does THIS guy beat us? [As an aside, I felt the same way about Khalid El-Donut in '99]

Finally, although this is about the player, I simply cannot ignore the fact that Wojo has been a great coach for us. At a minimum, this evidences his high level basketball IQ (even as a player) and his commitment to the game and Duke.

[SilkyJ]

Wojo is my favorite Duke player of all time. I am 5'11", skinny, blonde haired, and always underestimated in athletics, so I kinda relate to him. I grew up in middle school and high school watching him play and was able to relate not only to those aspects, but also to the hustle. I was primarily a soccer player, but my parents called me "one-ten Ben" meaning I have 110% at all times, and thats the kind of player Wojo was. I'll never forget the floor slapping, the big 3s, and especially the backcourt violation he saved. I forget which game it was, but I remember him scrambling after the ball and laying out over the half-court line to save the ball.

W-O-J-C-I-E-C-H-O-W-S-K-I

c'mon jason! thats off the top of my head! (I hope its right...)

[JasonEvans]

this is the favorite PLAYER poll, so I'm gonna have to vote for Nate. Overall, I like Wo better, but a lot of that has to do with his huge contributions as a coach. He has an amazing basketball mind and the biggest heart of any Blue Devil ever except possibly Battier, unfortunately, he's "Rudy" when it comes to his physical stature. The fact that he overcame this is certainly impressive, but I've gotta go with Nate on this one. Can't go wrong with either one though.

"Favorite" is a 100% subjective criteria. If you wish to weigh Wojo's coaching career or Boozer's pro career or you love Hurley because he loves horses that is fine. Everyone comes by their own personal "favorites" on their own.

--Jason "as I expected, this is the close race of the day- Nate currently leads by 8 votes out of 70 cast" Evans

[TillyGalore]

I'm having a hard time with this one. I'm leaning towards Nate, but also like Wojo.

How long do I have before the poll closes?

[JasonEvans]

I'm having a hard time with this one. I'm leaning towards Nate, but also like Wojo.

How long do I have before the poll closes?

I'll likely leave it open until sometime in the AM tomorrow... around 9 or 10am, I think. I try to keep them all going for 24 hours.

--Jason "this is a tough one to decide-- I have not voted yet either" Evans

[The Gordog]

Like yesterday, we will do 3 polls today because 2 of them appear to be blowouts and we all love the tight races. This one shuld be super-tight.

On one side, the #15 seeded Nate James and we all know Nate is a bad #%@^. On the other side, the former defensive playter of the year and current assistant coach known simply by 4 letters, the #18 seeded Wojo.

--Jason "I am eager to see the arguments for each of these guys!" Evans

I went with Wojo. Reason being thas I d not think any player in any era has won a national award when he started out with so little to work with. Yeah, Wojo was, I think, a McD selection, but he played his high school ball in the Catholic leagues and did not face quite the same level of competition. For him to become the National Defensive Player of the Year was a reflection of incredible desire, guile, guts, commitment and heart. He may not have scored much, but man he got in the face, and head(!), of opposing point guards.

[monkey]

Vote for Nate. Bit surprised (but happy) Wojo isn't blowing this out - upset city baby?

[VaDukie]

I'm shocked Nate is winning, and by this much.

[lmb]

This was another very tough call, but I had to go with Nate. I just love how he was a top recruit and then when he got injured in high school all of the other schools backed off of their commitment. Coach K stuck with him and he returned the favor by giving 100% of himself during his college career.

When they won the title in 2001, I was happy for Battier. I was happy for Dunleavy, JWill, Duhon and Boozer. But my heart overflowed with joy for Nate, especially when I saw the picture of him all alone in the locker room with his head bowed and the net still around his neck. I get a tear in my eye just thinking about it now.

I tried to attach the picture, but it's too large and when I shrink it, it seems to lose it's oomph. I'm sure many of you remember that photo. I'll never forget it.

[Olympic Fan]

Real tough call and I certainly won't disagree with anybody who picked Wojo.

Still, I voted for Nate because of the sacrifice he made to win the 2001 national title. If you remember, Nate was a fifth-year senior tri-captain who started 33 of 34 games in 2000 and the first 29 games of 2001.

Then, the day after Boozer was hurt on Nate's Senior Night, K came up with a shocking plan to make up for replacing the team's star center -- the shocking part was that he wanted to bench Nate and give his starting job to Chris Duhon to get quicker and go into an attacking mode.

In hindsight, it seems logical, but it never would have worked if this fifth year senior doesn't swallow the pain of giving up the starting job he had earned with four years of hard work and production. If Nate had griped or whined or sulked even the slightest bit, the 2001 team goes down in flames.

It's easy to say no big deal about starting, but it does matter to a lot of kids (anybody remember Chris Burgess??)

Nate didn't sulk and he didn't complain. He embraced the change and remained the inspiration leader of the team as it won its final 10 games. He turned himself into a great sixth man for those 10 games. He had that amazing tap-in to beat Maryland in the ACC Tournament, then when Juan Dixon was killing us in the first half of the Final Four, he volunteered to guard Dixon ... a he did shut him down.

I love Wojo, but I'll never forget Nate's sacrifice.

[DevilCastDownfromDurham]

Very well said, Olympic (as usual). I've been on the fence all day and reminding me of that put me over the edge. Put me in the Dogg Pound.

[SilkyJ]

I can't believe you guys aren't voting for WOJO.

The kid was undersized, underrated, underappreciated, and was 150% heart and effort all the time. The first Duke jersey I ever bought was wojo's. He is the epitome of class, hustle, hardwork, and the Krzyzewski philosophy. The man is practically my hero...I guess its just sentimental for me....

[DevilAlumna]

Nate was indeed a b@d@ss, but Wojo made me cry with pride for Duke Basketball.
http://www.duke.edu/~blp3/images/wojo/cover.jpg

[TillyGalore]

Real tough call and I certainly won't disagree with anybody who picked Wojo.

Still, I voted for Nate because of the sacrifice he made to win the 2001 national title. If you remember, Nate was a fifth-year senior tri-captain who started 33 of 34 games in 2000 and the first 29 games of 2001.

Then, the day after Boozer was hurt on Nate's Senior Night, K came up with a shocking plan to make up for replacing the team's star center -- the shocking part was that he wanted to bench Nate and give his starting job to Chris Duhon to get quicker and go into an attacking mode.

In hindsight, it seems logical, but it never would have worked if this fifth year senior doesn't swallow the pain of giving up the starting job he had earned with four years of hard work and production. If Nate had griped or whined or sulked even the slightest bit, the 2001 team goes down in flames.

It's easy to say no big deal about starting, but it does matter to a lot of kids (anybody remember Chris Burgess??)

Nate didn't sulk and he didn't complain. He embraced the change and remained the inspiration leader of the team as it won its final 10 games. He turned himself into a great sixth man for those 10 games. He had that amazing tap-in to beat Maryland in the ACC Tournament, then when Juan Dixon was killing us in the first half of the Final Four, he volunteered to guard Dixon ... a he did shut him down.

I love Wojo, but I'll never forget Nate's sacrifice.

This post brought years to my eyes, and convinced me who to vote for. I'm voting for Nate!!

[Olympic Fan]

I can't believe you guys aren't voting for WOJO.

The kid was undersized, underrated, underappreciated, and was 150% heart and effort all the time. The first Duke jersey I ever bought was wojo's. He is the epitome of class, hustle, hardwork, and the Krzyzewski philosophy. The man is practically my hero...I guess its just sentimental for me....

I appreciate everything you're saying ... it's an example of the problem I have with these polls (although obviously I've participated).

When you're voting for a "favorite" player, there's no definable parameters ... most of us pick our ultimate heroes in our youth (as, based on an earlier post, you did with Wojo).

I grew up believing that Mickey Mantle was the greatest player ever. My father told me that Mickey couldn't carry Joe DiMaggio's jock. Different generations, different heroes. I could go into all the sabremetrics about which was really the greatest player, but no stat I could find would supplant Mickey from his place in my heart, just as nothing I could come up with would elevate him above Joe D in my father's mind.

For that matter, he brought be up a Duke and a Yankee and a Redskins fan. I can appreciate and even admire certain players from UNC, the Red Sox or the Cowboys -- but I could never love a player from those teams or pull for them (which is why Rudy Guliani is such a phony fan).

I think we're imprinted with our preferences when we're 11 or 12 years old -- whenever we first become passionate about a team. We may move and pick up another team because it's convienient, but I'd bet that very few of us would give up our first love for a new team.

Obviously, SilkyJ, Wojo is your first Duke hero ... good for you. If it's any consolation for you, my first Duke hero was Howard Hurt ... and he's not going to even make this poll.

[The Gordog]

The one for the '99 Final Four (Wojo was no longer an amature so he could be in it) where they have Wojo giving blood and it comes out Duke Blue.

[SilkyJ]

I appreciate everything you're saying ... it's an example of the problem I have with these polls (although obviously I've participated).

When you're voting for a "favorite" player, there's no definable parameters ... most of us pick our ultimate heroes in our youth (as, based on an earlier post, you did with Wojo).

I grew up believing that Mickey Mantle was the greatest player ever. My father told me that Mickey couldn't carry Joe DiMaggio's jock. Different generations, different heroes. I could go into all the sabremetrics about which was really the greatest player, but no stat I could find would supplant Mickey from his place in my heart, just as nothing I could come up with would elevate him above Joe D in my father's mind.

For that matter, he brought be up a Duke and a Yankee and a Redskins fan. I can appreciate and even admire certain players from UNC, the Red Sox or the Cowboys -- but I could never love a player from those teams or pull for them (which is why Rudy Guliani is such a phony fan).

I think we're imprinted with our preferences when we're 11 or 12 years old -- whenever we first become passionate about a team. We may move and pick up another team because it's convienient, but I'd bet that very few of us would give up our first love for a new team.

Obviously, SilkyJ, Wojo is your first Duke hero ... good for you. If it's any consolation for you, my first Duke hero was Howard Hurt ... and he's not going to even make this poll.

you are aboslutely right. hope no one thinks I am bashing their pick. I am a huge nate james fan as well...I guess i'm just surprised as all those qualities I mentioned are usually the ones that make players "fan favorites" if you will. "The Rudy-s" of the world.

you are right too that this is so tough b/c nate played around the same time and I loved him too, and he was a total glue guy who did all the little things as well. People have said this ump-teen times in other polls, but I guess this is the first one that was a real struggle for me and included my 1st real duke hero....These polls are so hard, and this one is just real sentimental for me, I guess.

[SilkyJ]

The one for the '99 Final Four (Wojo was no longer an amature so he could be in it) where they have Wojo giving blood and it comes out Duke Blue.

I don't remember that one, but would love to see it. I went looking briefly on youtube but found nothing. Anyone who can find and post a link, I would appreciate it

Silky "Wojo is still my hero" J

[mph]

I was watching the 2001 ACC Championship in a bar in Towson, MD. If Nate James did nothing else in a Duke uniform, the memory of that bar after his tip-in seals it for me.

[Lord Ash]

I am surprised Wojo isn't winning, to be honest... him being a coach absolutely is part of it to me; as long as you are part of the Duke family, you are still a player in my view!

Loved Nate D o double G, but Wojo just edges him out for my vote.

[micah75]

Naturally, at this stage of the game, these polls are extremely tough. I loved Nate and there's no denying the sacrifice and contribution he made towards the '01 championship. I gave the very slight edge to Wojo, however, not because he's an assistant coach, but because of how he developed as a player his final 2 seasons. If the internet age had been in full bloom his frosh season, he would probably have been bashed like Greg Paulus was this past season. But he kept improving, improving, made the cover of SI, and was even an admitted favorite of announcer Brent Musberger, who described him as the most "exciting" player in college basketball. And who can forget the passionate hug he and Coach K embraced upon defeating Carolina his senior season. Still gives me goosebumps.

Not trying to sway anyone, as I know this is a tough call and both are surely favorites of all Duke fans. Win/win.

[-jk]

While Nate was (obviously) a bad%^@, I've never seen a player so consistently leveled by "agressive" picks as Wojo was. And he always got right back up. "Wojo bounces!"

Tough choice between two consummate Oedipals.

-jk

[chrishoke]

I voted for nate for many of the reasons stated here -no one has mentioned it but my favorite memory from that glorious 2001 season was the picture of a contempletive Nate sitting alone at his locker with the championship net around his neck - still brings tears to my eyes. I hope someone has a copy.

[SilkyJ]

While Nate was (obviously) a bad%^@, I've never seen a player so consistently leveled by "agressive" picks as Wojo was. And he always got right back up. "Wojo bounces!"

Tough choice between two consummate Oedipals.

-jk

I don't get the Oedipals reference. Nor did i get the one DBR made in its Preview of Duke for this year. Can someone explain?

[-jk]

Sorry, I can't spell it out. We're a family site.

-jk

[SilkyJ]

Sorry, I can't spell it out. We're a family site.

-jk

its cool. the thread discussing the DBR preview of Duke explains it.

YIPPE KAY-YEH...

[VaDukie]

I voted for nate for many of the reasons stated here -no one has mentioned it but my favorite memory from that glorious 2001 season was the picture of a contempletive Nate sitting alone at his locker with the championship net around his neck - still brings tears to my eyes. I hope someone has a copy.

I don't remember that pic, but I do remember him being interviewed by Packer after the game. He stumbled over his words a little and then just said "National Championship. National Championship"

It's like he was talking to himself in a dream and was saying it to make sure it was true. Great stuff.

[Clipsfan]

It's the threads/conversations such as these which remind me why I'm so happy to be a Duke fan. Coach K (and probably previous coaches, I just wasn't there to see the players) generally recruits guys I love to root for because of their great qualities.; genuinely good people who give their all out on the court for the good of the program. Obviously, both Wojo and Nate fit into this category, which is why they are both favorites of so many of us and hard to choose between. It's also why I'm so excited about this coming season, as our incoming class seems to be full of both great players and great people (and I really like the players who remained after last season).

[johnb]

Naturally, at this stage of the game, these polls are extremely tough. .

At this stage of the game??? We're only in the first round.:)

[gotoguy]

This was another very tough call, but I had to go with Nate. I just love how he was a top recruit and then when he got injured in high school all of the other schools backed off of their commitment. Coach K stuck with him and he returned the favor by giving 100% of himself during his college career.

When they won the title in 2001, I was happy for Battier. I was happy for Dunleavy, JWill, Duhon and Boozer. But my heart overflowed with joy for Nate, especially when I saw the picture of him all alone in the locker room with his head bowed and the net still around his neck. I get a tear in my eye just thinking about it now.

I tried to attach the picture, but it's too large and when I shrink it, it seems to lose it's oomph. I'm sure many of you remember that photo. I'll never forget it.


Imb, I know that photo well and to see it is to cry a river. Another great photo I couldn't find to post is the tip-in over Casey and, I think, Lonnie Baxter, in the ACC semi final to clinch that hard fought victory over the Terps but only after Juan Dixon just missed a near half court runner at the buzzer. I vote Nate.

[77devil]

I don't get the Oedipals reference. Nor did i get the one DBR made in its Preview of Duke for this year. Can someone explain?

I guess chemistry majors don't read the classics?:D

[feldspar]

Nate James can't play.

[JBDuke]

Nate James can't play.

For those of you that aren't long time DBR readers, feldspar is NOT putting down Nate in his post, but instead reminding us of an incendiary thread posted on the boards many years ago titled "Nate James Can't Play", which touched off a long and ugly discussion about what type of posting was appropriate and what was not.

Call it an inside joke.

Please do NOT use this as an excuse to go on a rant about how well Nate actually did play...

[SilkyJ]

I guess chemistry majors don't read the classics?:D

Don't you mean a modern classic. It was written while you were growing up :p

[feldspar]

For those of you that aren't long time DBR readers, feldspar is NOT putting down Nate in his post, but instead reminding us of an incendiary thread posted on the boards many years ago titled "Nate James Can't Play", which touched off a long and ugly discussion about what type of posting was appropriate and what was not.

Call it an inside joke.

Please do NOT use this as an excuse to go on a rant about how well Nate actually did play...

Always gotta be spoiling my fun, JB. :D

[VaDukie]

For those of you that aren't long time DBR readers, feldspar is NOT putting down Nate in his post, but instead reminding us of an incendiary thread posted on the boards many years ago titled "Nate James Can't Play", which touched off a long and ugly discussion about what type of posting was appropriate and what was not.

Call it an inside joke.

Please do NOT use this as an excuse to go on a rant about how well Nate actually did play...

Ha, I think we need details on this - it will add to the legend.

What year did this take place in/under what circumstances?

[feldspar]

Ha, I think we need details on this - it will add to the legend.

What year did this take place in/under what circumstances?

It was a dark and stormy night....

[johnb]

I don't get the Oedipals reference. Nor did i get the one DBR made in its Preview of Duke for this year. Can someone explain?

I didn't either for over 24 hours, but after doing some dream analysis on the subject of 12 letter words and Greek myths, I mulled over Freud's view of Oedipus's unconscious conjugation with aforementioned maternal objects and finally recognized a relevant shorthand epithet.

[micah75]

At this stage of the game??? We're only in the first round.:)

Heh! Yeah, I could have worded that differently. Guess what I meant was that the 15 seed (Nate) vs the 18 (Wojo) is a tough matchup. Plus, this is the 2nd round, isn't it? The round of 32. Originally there were about 88 or 90 players, I believe.

[allenmurray]

Have to go with Nate. Why? My son went to his basketball camp at Durham Academy the last two summers. The first summer, when I was sitting in the bleachers watching a game on an incredibly hot day, Nate brough cold Gatorade to the moms and dads in the stands. Later, when my son twisted his ankle in practice Nate helped him off the court (a thrill for Sam), wrapped and iced his ankle, and the let Sam help coach the younger kids group since he couldn't play anymore that day.

The second year, when we went for registration, Nate saw us in the gym and called Sam by name, welcoming him back - this a year later after only having spent a week with him. It's not just because Sam is a giant - he recognized a bunch of kids and called them by name, welcoming them back.

For somebody who was such a bad a** on the court, off the court he is one of the most personable people I have ever met.

[JasonEvans]

It was a close race and Wojo made a late push to close the gap, but the winner in the end was the bad!#%^!

--Jason "props to both players for a spirited competition" Evans