Amile

[Tim1515]

Wanted to get some thoughts on Jeffersons season.

Early this year I had concerns about him clogging the lane with Jah but both were successful. K has favored Jones since Duke got really hot and I do think the extra spacing helps against good defenses. Amile has completely taken it in stride and has seemingly been an awesome teammate when others may not have.

Still...I often find myself hoping he will see more time in some games.

Should Duke sneak by MSU and see UK it is hard to imagine Amile not playing a huge role.

 

[HeLooks2MuchLikeDave]

His offensive rebounding is a huge plus when he is in the game. But he is a liability on offense. He actually seems to have regressed this year. During the offseason he needs to spend alot of time practicing a 12 foot jumper.

 

[jibip]

Originally posted by HeLooks2MuchLikeDave:
His offensive rebounding is a huge plus when he is in the game. But he is a liability on offense. He actually seems to have regressed this year. During the offseason he needs to spend alot of time practicing a 12 foot jumper.

I disagree. He has taken a back seat since the change in roles with Matt Jones starting and has accepted that new role. We'd all love him to be more active on offense like what we saw in the beginning of the year, but that's not what's being asked of him. He's being unselfish and doing what he's been asked to do.

I think in the next two potential games, he'll have a very important role in whatever minutes he gets to help balance Duke's defense against very good front courts. Against MSU, he'll need to guard Dawson when he's in. And if Duke is good enough to get to the next game against UK or Wisc, he'll be needed again in a major way to help guard very good front court players.

 

[stanleyduke]

I think it has more to do with Winslow being able to guard multiple positions and that Winslow creates a lot of mismatches of offense. Also, Jah clogs the interior on offense so theres not a lot of room for Amile to operate and Jah is not a great interior passer to find Amile when hes getting doubled. Amile should see a lot more time next year.

 

[rob5894]

I think the Sheed's dismissal hit Amile hard. They were close friends. I love Amile and what he does for this team!!

 

[HeLooks2MuchLikeDave]

Originally posted by jibip:

Originally posted by HeLooks2MuchLikeDave:
His offensive rebounding is a huge plus when he is in the game. But he is a liability on offense. He actually seems to have regressed this year. During the offseason he needs to spend alot of time practicing a 12 foot jumper.

I disagree. He has taken a back seat since the change in roles with Matt Jones starting and has accepted that new role. We'd all love him to be more active on offense like what we saw in the beginning of the year, but that's not what's being asked of him. He's being unselfish and doing what he's been asked to do.

I think in the next two potential games, he'll have a very important role in whatever minutes he gets to help balance Duke's defense against very good front courts. Against MSU, he'll need to guard Dawson when he's in. And if Duke is good enough to get to the next game against UK or Wisc, he'll be needed again in a major way to help guard very good front court players.

I am not saying whatsoever that he won't have important minutes to balance our defense. He plays a big role for us on the defensive end, on the glass, and as an emotional leader. But you also can't deny that his offensive game has improved very little, if at all since his freshmen year where he was actually averaging more points per minute. What moves has he added to his repertoire? He only dunks or scores from within 5 feet to the basket. I would definitely like to see him develop a midrange jumper in the offseason. And I firmly believe he is capable.

 

[youngman42]

Originally posted by HeLooks2MuchLikeDave:
His offensive rebounding is a huge plus when he is in the game. But he is a liability on offense. He actually seems to have regressed this year. During the offseason he needs to spend alot of time practicing a 12 foot jumper.

I think this is spot on. He is a liability. Imo, Matt Jones didn't get the start because he was hot, but, he got the start because Amile was not playing well. He has not been very aggressive on the boards or on D (was hoping he'd become a Lance Thomas).

But, Amile struggles to be any threat on offense and is a liability at the FT line. We have five who can score with MJ. Four with Amile on the court. Those are the realities.

However, I think Amile has been a class act in how he has handled things. And, I think he has actually done okay in the NCAAT. Most importantly he has not taken shots - which is a good thing. I am reminded of Z in 2010; he knew his own game and would sometimes rebound right under the basket, but rather than going up, he'd pass out to the scorers. I saw Amile do this a time or two in recent games and that's a positive.

He needs to play sound D, and rebound well if Duke is going to have a chance. Has to play stronger. If he does, it will bode well. We will definitely need him on D if we win this game.

 

[chov1125]

I think his presence on this team, coupled with Cook, is why we have seen such growth and maturity from our frosh. His contribution on and off the court as a leader and mentor are priceless. With that being said there are definite pro's and con's to him being on the court. I don't think he should be on the floor with Jah because it creates the easiest double for the opposition. No one is scared of Amile knocking down a mid range jumper so it is almost like a free double on Jah without hardly any consequences. I do think he brings a sense of passion to the court that this team desperately needs especially when we are going through one of our funks. Additionally, he is a force on the offensive glass and seems to be the forgotten one and always seems to be in the right spot at the right time. I am not going to knock his total offensive production because he still has games where he can get to the bucket and he's pretty solid at finishing if he gets there. At this point lets not make drastic changes because what we have done to this point has been pretty successful and Amile, who has accepted whatever role he has been asked to fill, is still an asset to this team.

 

[The Right Blue]

Originally posted by HeLooks2MuchLikeDave:
His offensive rebounding is a huge plus when he is in the game. But he is a liability on offense. He actually seems to have regressed this year. During the offseason he needs to spend alot of time practicing a 12 foot jumper.

I don't see it that way at all. Its not fantasy basketball. How many guys do you want to score on this team? They have Tyus, Justise, Okafor, Cook, Allen, Jones who all have offensive skill. Does this team really need an offensive contribution from Jefferson ( other than the put-backs of offensive rebounds he works so hard to get)? He hasn't regressed at all. He's played his role perfectly this season. Next season, he'll have a more prevalent role offensively. Right now, its not needed. Would you rather have him taking shots over NBA lottery picks such as Okafor, Justise, and Tyus?

 

[Laettner]

Amile saved us in 1st half vs Utah. Young guys were rattled, Amile came in and grabbed 4 quick boards with a put back. Without Amile that game could have gotten away from us.

 

[Heyman25]

Originally posted by Laettner:
Amile saved us in 1st half vs Utah. Young guys were rattled, Amile came in and grabbed 4 quick boards with a put back. Without Amile that game could have gotten away from us.

Bingo, finally someone who knows what he is talking about! OFC

 

[Tim1515]

I don't agree with the regression either. Amile is asked to do much less because of Jah. I do expect we will see his range and skill has improved on offense next season when we need more from him.

What he has run into is that Jah is a stud and is usually more effective with space. Amile isn't seeing less time because he is worse...just that Matts skill set fits better with our star big man.

I do think he would score a few easy baskets when in if Jah made a few quicker choice when doubled.

 

[crazyduke3]

I think Amile has been better during the tournament, but he'll have to do even better for us to win number 5. I think he'll be useful during MSU.

I believe he does have an offensive game, he's just almost unwilling to use any of it. It's quite disappointing he completely failed to add ANY sort of shot to his game in the offseason, I have no idea how that happened.

 

[aah555]

While I do not think Amile is playing as aggressively he did at the start of the season, I do attribute most of that to opportunity. The emergence of Winslow and Tyus Jones (as a scorer) has clearly cut into Amile's role.

 

[HeLooks2MuchLikeDave]

Originally posted by The Right Blue:

Originally posted by HeLooks2MuchLikeDave:
His offensive rebounding is a huge plus when he is in the game. But he is a liability on offense. He actually seems to have regressed this year. During the offseason he needs to spend alot of time practicing a 12 foot jumper.

I don't see it that way at all. Its not fantasy basketball. How many guys do you want to score on this team? They have Tyus, Justise, Okafor, Cook, Allen, Jones who all have offensive skill. Does this team really need an offensive contribution from Jefferson ( other than the put-backs of offensive rebounds he works so hard to get)? He hasn't regressed at all. He's played his role perfectly this season. Next season, he'll have a more prevalent role offensively. Right now, its not needed. Would you rather have him taking shots over NBA lottery picks such as Okafor, Justise, and Tyus?

Really? You don't want to see him be able to hit a short jumper? Do you think Duke would be worse if Jefferson was a threat to score? It's common sense. When teams respect Amile hitting a shot, they don't double Okafor. To answer your question, I don't want Amile to take shots away from Okafor. I want Okafor to get easier looks and single team coverage. If Amile could hit a baby jumper, we would have better shots for others.

 

[aah555]

Originally posted by HeLooks2MuchLikeDave:

Originally posted by The Right Blue:

Originally posted by HeLooks2MuchLikeDave:
His offensive rebounding is a huge plus when he is in the game. But he is a liability on offense. He actually seems to have regressed this year. During the offseason he needs to spend alot of time practicing a 12 foot jumper.

I don't see it that way at all. Its not fantasy basketball. How many guys do you want to score on this team? They have Tyus, Justise, Okafor, Cook, Allen, Jones who all have offensive skill. Does this team really need an offensive contribution from Jefferson ( other than the put-backs of offensive rebounds he works so hard to get)? He hasn't regressed at all. He's played his role perfectly this season. Next season, he'll have a more prevalent role offensively. Right now, its not needed. Would you rather have him taking shots over NBA lottery picks such as Okafor, Justise, and Tyus?

Really? You don't want to see him be able to hit a short jumper? Do you think Duke would be worse if Jefferson was a threat to score? It's common sense. When teams respect Amile hitting a shot, they don't double Okafor. To answer your question, I don't want Amile to take shots away from Okafor. I want Okafor to get easier looks and single team coverage. If Amile could hit a baby jumper, we would have better shots for others.

I think you're missing his point. While it obviously would be nice if Jefferson could more consistently hit a midrange shot, your entire argument rests on the flawed premise that Jefferson is not scoring b/c he's regressed. I don't think that's the case. I think what's changed is that Winslow's emergence has somewhat marginalized Jefferson -- as Winslow, not jefferson, is used as Okafor's primary release valve near the rim. In fact, if you look at how time is allocated, Jefferson now plays with Plumlee nearly as much as he does with Okafor - i.e., he's not getting nearly as many easy buckets off of doubles. If Winslow was not on the team, Jefferson could easily be a productive 4 and would probably have better numbers -- but, we also probably wouldn't be as good of a team.

 

[Wojoman]

I don't think Amile has regressed at all. Before he was taken out of the starting lineup. He had 3 doubles, a 15 and 9 game and put up 19 and 7 against Louisville. And those weren't all just put backs and tip ins either. Like someone said earlier he is just being asked to do different things now. He is a glue guy that every team needs. and his defense and offensive rebounding are very important to our team

 

[The Right Blue]

Originally posted by HeLooks2MuchLikeDave:

Originally posted by The Right Blue:

Originally posted by HeLooks2MuchLikeDave:
His offensive rebounding is a huge plus when he is in the game. But he is a liability on offense. He actually seems to have regressed this year. During the offseason he needs to spend alot of time practicing a 12 foot jumper.

I don't see it that way at all. Its not fantasy basketball. How many guys do you want to score on this team? They have Tyus, Justise, Okafor, Cook, Allen, Jones who all have offensive skill. Does this team really need an offensive contribution from Jefferson ( other than the put-backs of offensive rebounds he works so hard to get)? He hasn't regressed at all. He's played his role perfectly this season. Next season, he'll have a more prevalent role offensively. Right now, its not needed. Would you rather have him taking shots over NBA lottery picks such as Okafor, Justise, and Tyus?

Really? You don't want to see him be able to hit a short jumper? Do you think Duke would be worse if Jefferson was a threat to score? It's common sense. When teams respect Amile hitting a shot, they don't double Okafor. To answer your question, I don't want Amile to take shots away from Okafor. I want Okafor to get easier looks and single team coverage. If Amile could hit a baby jumper, we would have better shots for others.

I'd love to see him hit 3 pointers as well, but they're not an NBA team. Guys are going to have flaws. Hell, if Okafor blocked shots like his cousin Emeka, this team might have gone undefeated. Do you see where I'm gong with this? Not everyone is going to be good at everything. Asking a college player to be Draymond Green is not realistic. Amile has a role and he plays it well. He's probably capable of more, but there's no sense in forcing it when he's surrounded by NBA lottery picks. No one with a clear understanding of what they are watching believes that Amile has regressed. Amile has conformed to the team around him and the team is better for it.

 

[diehardDUKIEnKY]

This is almost verbatim to what i had intended to post. Good minds...

 

[kailman]

Amile has been huge as a leader for the freshmen and staying positive. If he ever got aggressive offensively I think he could be a nice little scorer.. That dunk was strong. Yes no one came but if they did he would have still crammed it. I love Amile and what he does.

 

[madrussian]

has Amile regressed offensively - maybe?.

but i think he has accepted a new role with the team. just like a mature upperclassman. his role is primarily defense and rebounds. he has done that very well.

he came out this past weekend and gave solid minutes. grabbed boards, played defense and added key baskets.

 

[BlazerBB]

Someone said he saved us against Utah, I thought he saved us against Gonzaga!! 33 was giving us buckets early, posting deep and backing us down. Amile came in and forced him off the block and denied the easy post entry pass....suddenly we started getting separation!!

 

[crazyduke3]

I think if Amile could score more, he'd be given more opportunity.


To the comment about it also being nice if he could hit a 3 point shot... the guy isn't asking much, a nice lil jumper and some layups. Nobody is calling for Kevin Garnett, nobody.

I though he was awful defensively at some points this season, but I do think he's played a significant role in our defensive rise here the past 4 games.

 

[skysdad]

I am sure glad that Amile chose Duke. I am grateful for his attitude and the role he has accepted in making this team what it is. He is rare. For me there will always be a place for a Amile Jefferson on any Duke team. OFC

 

[JCColsCane]

Regressed? Maybe we could try a lack of confidence on offense? Roles are defined by confidence or lack of, and dictate when and where a player is used. Amile's lack of confidence in his mid-range shooting has now defined his role, not to account for the improvement of his teammates.
What a fantastic young man he is to accept his role, and he is showing his true Duke colors! I would give anything to spend a summer with him in a gym, just to work on his offensive game. Amile is what he is and I wouldn't trade him for anyone else. He gives his heart and soul to Duke, and needs to be accepted for the abilities he has. He might not be the great scorer we would like, but he gives all he has to his teammates, and has come up big more than once this year.
Get in the gym this summer Amile, and work on that 12-15 foot Jumper, and thanks for all you've given us this year!
Go Duke!!


JC-OFC

 

[dbav]

Originally posted by skysdad:
I am sure glad that Amile chose Duke. I am grateful for his attitude and the role he has accepted in making this team what it is. He is rare. For me there will always be a place for a Amile Jefferson on any Duke team. OFC

Extremely well said Sky.

 

[HeLooks2MuchLikeDave]

Originally posted by crazyduke3:
I think if Amile could score more, he'd be given more opportunity.


To the comment about it also being nice if he could hit a 3 point shot... the guy isn't asking much, a nice lil jumper and some layups. Nobody is calling for Kevin Garnett, nobody.

I though he was awful defensively at some points this season, but I do think he's played a significant role in our defensive rise here the past 4 games.

Thank you. I just want to see Amile be a little more assertive on the offensive end. I know he is capable of it because we watched him drive to the rim the last 2 years. If he is sharing the court with MP3, it would be nice to have at least one front court player who can create his own shot, even if it's only a layup.

 

[The Right Blue]

Originally posted by crazyduke3:
I think if Amile could score more, he'd be given more opportunity.


To the comment about it also being nice if he could hit a 3 point shot... the guy isn't asking much, a nice lil jumper and some layups. Nobody is calling for Kevin Garnett, nobody.

I though he was awful defensively at some points this season, but I do think he's played a significant role in our defensive rise here the past 4 games.

There's about a thousand big men in the college game who could stand to add a "nice lil jumper". I don't why everyone expects these guys to have complete games a few years into their college careers. If Amile had a complete game, he'd be getting drafted. Not everyone can do everything. The role he plays now suits him fine. I sure wish Marshall Plumlee had a "nice lil jumper". Should I expect it?