dukestheheat
01-02-2008, 06:34 PM
ok.
So, I'll just come right out and say it, Nolan Smith is my favorite!
He is just waiting for the breakout, the roll, the big tuna on national TV. I can feel it, he's just on the edge of the double/double bust out!
His 17 points versus Michigan showed what he can do on offense, and some of his moves to get to the hoop were S-I-C-K; on defense, that game, he slowed that quick Michigan guard and prevented him from turning the corner play after play. I counted four separate possessions where that guard realized he couldn't get around Nolan and penetrate!
Every time he gets in the game I get ready for him to go after it. Something about his athleticism gets me stoked, for sure!
Some strengths with his game now:
1) Athleticism; can levitate and dunk better than can I (ok, I admit it).
2) Quick and also fast; explosive with the basketball.
3) Very quick hands and feet on the defensive end.
4) Has shown the ability to prevent quick(-er) guards from turning the corner (so that thereafter said guard can dish/dunk/make your life miserable).
5) Currently averaging one assist per 8.8 minutes played (Paulus is one/7.3 minutes played).
A humble admission of area for improvement, if I may be so bold as to even suggest it:
1) He is thinking too much when he's on offense. Dude needs TO JUST GO.
So what do you think about in terms of Nolan's game? Where do you see him advancing Duke most this year? Next year?
Clearly, the guy is a stud and later this year, I think many of us are going to see him go waaaay off and we'll be throwing stuff around the room shouting 'you're a STAR!'.
dth.
So, I'll just come right out and say it, Nolan Smith is my favorite!
He is just waiting for the breakout, the roll, the big tuna on national TV. I can feel it, he's just on the edge of the double/double bust out!
His 17 points versus Michigan showed what he can do on offense, and some of his moves to get to the hoop were S-I-C-K; on defense, that game, he slowed that quick Michigan guard and prevented him from turning the corner play after play. I counted four separate possessions where that guard realized he couldn't get around Nolan and penetrate!
Every time he gets in the game I get ready for him to go after it. Something about his athleticism gets me stoked, for sure!
Some strengths with his game now:
1) Athleticism; can levitate and dunk better than can I (ok, I admit it).
2) Quick and also fast; explosive with the basketball.
3) Very quick hands and feet on the defensive end.
4) Has shown the ability to prevent quick(-er) guards from turning the corner (so that thereafter said guard can dish/dunk/make your life miserable).
5) Currently averaging one assist per 8.8 minutes played (Paulus is one/7.3 minutes played).
A humble admission of area for improvement, if I may be so bold as to even suggest it:
1) He is thinking too much when he's on offense. Dude needs TO JUST GO.
So what do you think about in terms of Nolan's game? Where do you see him advancing Duke most this year? Next year?
Clearly, the guy is a stud and later this year, I think many of us are going to see him go waaaay off and we'll be throwing stuff around the room shouting 'you're a STAR!'.
dth.