The thing that has to be difficult for Evans is that with playing time, he could conceivably play his way into the first round of the draft. Let’s be real, that is the true goal for all these kids. And yes perhaps Evans is the rare exception - if so then he is quickly one of my all time favorite Duke players already.I don't think I or anyone is misunderestimating (cool word!) Evans. I'm a huge Evans fan. I think he will start for us next year and could even lead us in scoring.
Going all the way back to the spring, I was predicting a 3-way battle for 2 rotation spots between Isaiah, Kon, Mason. I had no idea who would win that battle, but I knew there was only room for 2 in an 8-man rotation.
It's easy to say Evans should play. It's tough to say who should sit. Because Gillis is a better defender, Evans needs to be a better scorer. Gillis shot 47% from 3 last year (!), so unless he goes into a big slump, it's hard for me to see Evans earning those minutes.
Mark Mitchell is off to a decent start at Mizzou. In fact, so far, his stats are almost identical. He's playing 2+ minutes less per game, he's shooting a little worse from the floor and from 3, but scoring 12.5 vs 11.6 ppg. He's assisting a bit more (1.5 vs 1.1 apg), so it appears he is more of a focus and gets more useage in the offense at Mizzou than at Duke. Then again, he played rather poorly vs Memphis, and has played very well vs. 3 less competitve team.Yeah, I'm partly basing it too off the slow starts by Power and Stewart this season. But it's early...
Has he changed his three point form or is it still flatter than Kyrie's Earth?Mark Mitchell is off to a decent start at Mizzou. In fact, so far, his stats are almost identical. He's playing 2+ minutes less per game, he's shooting a little worse from the floor and from 3, but scoring 12.5 vs 11.6 ppg. He's assisting a bit more (1.5 vs 1.1 apg), so it appears he is more of a focus and gets more useage in the offense at Mizzou than at Duke. Then again, he played rather poorly vs Memphis, and has played very well vs. 3 less competitve team.
Cal is perhaps the dumbest coach in college sports so this is a useful starting point.As Calibari is quoted as saying - "I'm only recruiting to have 7-8 scholarship players". Why should I train someone else's future players !
You're betting on a 9-man rotation. Not impossible, but when was the last time Duke played a 9-man rotation?Evans' path to more playing time is simple: defend much better and don't be a black hole on offense. If he does those things, he should get more playing time and not just from Mason.
No, I am not assuming that Mason is low man. Mason is Duke's backup 4. Evans can't fill that role and I don't think we have seen a Maliq and Man Man frontcourt much if at all.You're betting on a 9-man rotation. Not impossible, but when was the last time Duke played a 9-man rotation?
The coach has limited time in a college season to fine-tune your top 8 playing together. That's why almost all coaches play 7-8 guys during their toughest games.
We've had one competitive game so far. Kentucky.No, I am not assuming that Mason is low man. Mason is Duke's backup 4. Evans can't fill that role and I don't think we have seen a Maliq and Man Man frontcourt much if at all.
Evans is a perimeter player, so if he earns more minutes it will likely come from players who spend a majority of their time on the perimeter.
They took a look at that lineup in the last game — Sion and Evans in while Proctor and Foster were out. We’re still in the early/blowout “mad scientist” part of the season.I don't think Jon is viewing Evans as an alternative to James at the 1/2.
To be fair, he played well vs. Wofford, a not bad team. Otherwise, he a) didn't score vs. Maine, and b) scored 6 vs Army. Neither of those performances were worthy of any sort of description of NBA potential. So, in one performance Isaiah played pretty well, and that's oozing NBA potential? I dunno, maybe.I agree with this. Evans is oozing NBA potential in his limited minutes. We know the GMs are willing to draft on potential.
Also, correlation is not causation, but transferring out of Duke has not been a fruitful path to the NBA in recent years.
Ha, well he got six minutes vs Maine, and he scored those six points in only nine minutes vs Army....not sure what that proves other than he isn't getting a lot of playing time. But I think he will, many here don't think so, and that's fine.To be fair, he played well vs. Wofford, a not bad team. Otherwise, he a) didn't score vs. Maine, and b) scored 6 vs Army. Neither of those performances were worthy of any sort of description of NBA potential. So, in one performance Isaiah played pretty well, and that's oozing NBA potential? I dunno, maybe.
Love the reference. I’m probably the only person on DBR who regularly uses the slap chop. No fancy Santoku knife for me! Last week I made Texas chili and slap chopped onions, peppers, and garlic until my hand hurt.Man-man is out Slap Chop.
We should not be stuck in the past -- and I am not saying you are. Reference to past practices is sketchy. (1) Duke has 11 quality players, who, it seems, can make positive contributions -- never happened before; (2) those who don't play, don't stay -- and no rules keep them from going elsewhere -- c.f. Evans and Harris; (3) the players get paid -- why are we paying players that won't play or stay?You're betting on a 9-man rotation. Not impossible, but when was the last time Duke played a 9-man rotation?
The coach has limited time in a college season to fine-tune your top 8 playing together. That's why almost all coaches play 7-8 guys during their toughest games.
Sporks.Has he changed his three point form or is it still flatter than Kyrie's Earth?
Oh right. One of my most sporked comments was on a pic some shared of their (very cool) Duke basketball floor in their basement I believe. And I said "we've finally found where MM practices his three pointers."Has he changed his three point form or is it still flatter than Kyrie's Earth?
Mason has backed up Cooper for 50% of his minutes, backed up Kon for 25%, and played with both for 25%.We've had one competitive game so far. Kentucky.
Khaman + Maliq = 40 min
Proctor + Foster + James = 78 min
K2 + Flagg + Gillis = 82 min
So things could change, but right now Mason is Cooper and Kon's backup at the 3/4.
I don't think Jon is viewing Evans as an alternative to James at the 1/2.
Jon's first year. 9 guys played at least 29% of the team's minutes. Some of this was due to injuries, and Jon didn't play 9 guys in every game. But in our close win over Iowa, the 9th man got 9 minutes. In our close win over Ohio State, the 9th man got 13 minutesYou're betting on a 9-man rotation. Not impossible, but when was the last time Duke played a 9-man rotation?
The coach has limited time in a college season to fine-tune your top 8 playing together. That's why almost all coaches play 7-8 guys during their toughest games.