Kyrie interviews Nolan then Nolan interviews Nolan

[JasonEvans]

Duke Blue Planet put up this video of the Top 5 plays from the game last night (it is mostly a Mason and Nolan highlight reel). After the top 5 are done, they go to Kyrie in the locker room interviewing Nolan. When Kyrie goes blank and cannot think of any more questions, Nolan takes over and it is pretty funny.



--Jason "if Nolan was not a senior, I bet Kyrie would think about coming back just so they could hang together for another year-- they seem really close" Evans

[DUKIECB]

Wow, I'm going to miss Nolan so much when he is gone. I love guys that do not take themselves too seriously. He must be a riot to be around on a daily basis!

[mehmattski]

You can see me in the background at :18 turning to my friend and yelling "Breakout Game!"

...because every game he tells me "This game will be R. Kelly's Breakout Game™!"

Also, it's too bad "The Facilitator" doesn't fit into the normal cheer cadence.

[elvis14]

After 4 years, I still find myself liking Nolan more and more. Obviously he's playing great but what gets me is the glimpses like this that we get to see of him off the court. He's really a great kid and a great representative of Duke basketball.

[ajgoodfella7]

After 4 years, I still find myself liking Nolan more and more. Obviously he's playing great but what gets me is the glimpses like this that we get to see of him off the court. He's really a great kid and a great representative of Duke basketball.

So just to ask a hypothetical question, lets say Duke finds a way to raise another banner this year and Kyle and Nolan both keep up their current play and become first team AA's, will we see 2 more jerseys hanging in Cameron?

[ice-9]

After 4 years, I still find myself liking Nolan more and more. Obviously he's playing great but what gets me is the glimpses like this that we get to see of him off the court. He's really a great kid and a great representative of Duke basketball.

I've always liked Nolan -- he was already one of my fav players as a freshman and sophomore. I became a fan when he was a junior. And now...wow, isn't Nolan the perfect Duke representative? The amount of growth he has shown over the four years, from an inconsistent, wild guard to the dominant, complete player he is today, all the while being a leader, bringing positivity and humor to those around him, helping us recruit...this guy is my favorite Duke player since Battier and JWill. If he wins another national championship for us this year I'm definitely buying his jersey!

[ElSid]

So just to ask a hypothetical question, lets say Duke finds a way to raise another banner this year and Kyle and Nolan both keep up their current play and become first team AA's, will we see 2 more jerseys hanging in Cameron?

I think if Nolan wins POY award he will get his jersey up there. Otherwise, I think it's unlikely. But it would certainly be strange/awkward if the season continues to play out as it has so far...with Kyle being solid but not shining, and Nolan just blowing the cover off the ball...and then having Kyle's jersey retired and not Nolan's. Gotta look at the whole body of work, I guess. Thankfully, the season is still relatively young yet. Look for Kyle to improve and Nolan to "regress to the mean" a little? Hoping yes on the former and no on the latter.

Either way, wish the best for Nolan. Definitely has elevated the swag factor. He almost singlehandedly makes Twitter fun/relevant for me...otherwise, why use the twitter.

[loran16]

So just to ask a hypothetical question, lets say Duke finds a way to raise another banner this year and Kyle and Nolan both keep up their current play and become first team AA's, will we see 2 more jerseys hanging in Cameron?

If Nolan & Kyle both become 1st team AAs, they'll be retired.

Duke Requirements for retiring:
1. Graduation.
2. National Honors (1st Team AA, NPOY, NDPOY)

The National Title is just a bonus...

[Kedsy]

If Nolan & Kyle both become 1st team AAs, they'll be retired.

Duke Requirements for retiring:
1. Graduation.
2. National Honors (1st Team AA, NPOY, NDPOY)

The National Title is just a bonus...

I know people say this, but is it really true? For example, Bobby Hurley didn't win any national honors, but his jersey was retired, so your #2 can't really be a "requirement," can it?

And Jim Spanarkel was a UPI first team All America in 1979, but his jersey is not in the rafters.

So I guess it's really more of a guideline than a rule?

[loran16]

I know people say this, but is it really true? For example, Bobby Hurley didn't win any national honors, but his jersey was retired, so your #2 can't really be a "requirement," can it?

And Jim Spanarkel was a UPI first team All America in 1979, but his jersey is not in the rafters.

So I guess it's really more of a guideline than a rule?

Hurley was first team All-American in 1993.

Spanarkel is pre-K (really), and thus different situations.

[94duke]

I know people say this, but is it really true? For example, Bobby Hurley didn't win any national honors, but his jersey was retired, so your #2 can't really be a "requirement," can it?

And Jim Spanarkel was a UPI first team All America in 1979, but his jersey is not in the rafters.

So I guess it's really more of a guideline than a rule?

Hurley was first team All-American in 1993.

Spanarkel is pre-K (really), and thus different situations.

Hurley also set and still holds the national record for career assists.

[swood1000]

In the video Nolan said "I just called for angle and the lane opened up..." Can anybody shed any light on what he meant by "called for angle"? Curry seemed to be anticipating a pass.

[Kedsy]

Hurley was first team All-American in 1993.

Spanarkel is pre-K (really), and thus different situations.

You're right, I forgot about 1993. I don't know why being "pre-K" would change the rule, if it really was a rule. I also think the rule you articulate seems somewhat arbitrary. Trajan Langdon was a 2nd team All American and three-time 1st team All ACC. But getting to 1st team All America one time (with only one 1st team All ACC to his credit) would guarantee Nolan a spot in the rafters? It doesn't sound right to me.

Not saying anything about Nolan's chances; just that I think the rules (if there really are any) must be more flexible than you have stated.

Hurley also set and still holds the national record for career assists.

I know that. I wasn't arguing that his number shouldn't have been retired. I was saying the so-called "rules" aren't hard and fast.

[Wander]

If Nolan & Kyle both become 1st team AAs, they'll be retired.

Duke Requirements for retiring:
1. Graduation.
2. National Honors (1st Team AA, NPOY, NDPOY)

The National Title is just a bonus...

Well, Carrawell would be an exception to this, right?

[ajgoodfella7]

Well, Carrawell would be an exception to this, right?

Chris Carrawell came to mind when I posed the question. He graduated and was a first team AA in 2000, which means that even fulfilling those 2 prerequisites does not guarantee a jersey retirement. Although, I think that Nolan and Kyle have had more decorated careers, hence a better chance.

[gam7]

If Nolan & Kyle both become 1st team AAs, they'll be retired.

Duke Requirements for retiring:
1. Graduation.
2. National Honors (1st Team AA, NPOY, NDPOY)

The National Title is just a bonus...

I agree with Kedsy that these seem to be guidelines rather than formal rules. So, I would guess that it is theoretically possible for someone's jersey to be retired, even if he is not a first team All American. However, in practice, it does seem unlikely that someone who is not considered one of the top 5 players in the country during at least one year of his career would be worthy of jersey retirement consideration.

Also, I think that it is almost necessary to meet the two criteria listed above, but even if those criteria are satisfied, it is not necessarily sufficient for jersey retirement. As great as Nolan has been over the last two years (and as great of a person as he seems to be), I think he may end up being a good example of someone who will meet the criteria, but will not have his jersey retired. He's definitely grown into a great player, but I don't think that the body of his work will be good enough for jersey retirement. Just look at the first half of his career.

[Kedsy]

Well, Carrawell would be an exception to this, right?

OK, now I had to go and look it up for real.

Chris Carawell was a 2nd team AP All-American, but according to Duke's website he was a "consensus" 1st team.

Mike Gminski was also 2nd team AP but "consensus" 1st team according to Duke.

Another Duke player who was a "consensus" first team All American whose jersey has not been retired is Bob Verga, although he was only 2nd team AP, as well.

Elton Brand was 1st team AA, but obviously never graduated.

Interestingly, Jeff Mullins was never a 1st team All American, only 2nd team according to both AP and Duke, yet his jersey was retired. And though he played "pre-K," he was honored during K's tenure.

Other 2nd team All Americans whose jersey was NOT retired include Jon Scheyer, Mike Dunleavy, Trajan Langdon, and Jack Marin.

Ultimately, it seems first team AA honors are neither necessary (Mullins) nor sufficient (Carrawell, Verga). If you draw the line at "pre-K" vs. "K era," then based on history you could argue it now is necessary but still not sufficient (again, Carrawell).

What does this mean for Nolan Smith? I'd guess he has an uphill battle. He may need national player of the year as opposed to "just" 1st team AA. But I suppose you never know. I'll be rooting for him whether his jersey is ultimately retired or not.

[loran16]

OK, now I had to go and look it up for real.

Chris Carawell was a 2nd team AP All-American, but according to Duke's website he was a "consensus" 1st team.

Mike Gminski was also 2nd team AP but "consensus" 1st team according to Duke.

Another Duke player who was a "consensus" first team All American whose jersey has not been retired is Bob Verga, although he was only 2nd team AP, as well.

Elton Brand was 1st team AA, but obviously never graduated.

Interestingly, Jeff Mullins was never a 1st team All American, only 2nd team according to both AP and Duke, yet his jersey was retired. And though he played "pre-K," he was honored during K's tenure.

Other 2nd team All Americans whose jersey was NOT retired include Jon Scheyer, Mike Dunleavy, Trajan Langdon, and Jack Marin.

Ultimately, it seems first team AA honors are neither necessary (Mullins) nor sufficient (Carrawell, Verga). If you draw the line at "pre-K" vs. "K era," then based on history you could argue it now is necessary but still not sufficient (again, Carrawell).

What does this mean for Nolan Smith? I'd guess he has an uphill battle. He may need national player of the year as opposed to "just" 1st team AA. But I suppose you never know. I'll be rooting for him whether his jersey is ultimately retired or not.

The reason I drew the line at the K-era is because I thought that the rule quite possibly wasn't in place before hand.

As it is, I think that fulfilling the requirements, would get either or both of Nolan or Kyle's Jerseys retired. They HAVE won a national title after all, regardless of what happens this year.

[Duvall]

The reason I drew the line at the K-era is because I thought that the rule quite possibly wasn't in place before hand.
.

Aside from Groat and Gminski, there weren't any jersey retirements before Krzyzewski. The Heyman and Mullins jerseys were retired later.

[Kdogg]

If Nolan & Kyle both become 1st team AAs, they'll be retired.

Duke Requirements for retiring:
1. Graduation.
2. National Honors (1st Team AA, NPOY, NDPOY)

Using that criteria, Wojo's jersey should be hanging in the rafters (1998 - NDPOY).