I have a very good source in Texas who has ties to the Baylor program and is definitely linked into the basketball scene. He said of Bolden, "right now It's anyone's game. There is a lot of chatter about Kentucky and he would be surrounded by great players there in an environment that promoted not only success but getting players to the league. But there are a lot of big guys potentially on the roster. Kansas has always been in it because they present a stellar program and an immediate chance to play. Self does a great job there and Marques couldnt go wrong going there. The silent giant is Duke. No one is talking about them but Marques is watching and seeing their need for an impact big. He has incredible relationships with Harry and Jayson and it's wouldn't surprise me if Marques went there. In the end, he will do what's best for him and take in the advice of his family, close people to him whom he trusts and what his heart and head feel. I honestly think right now his heart and head are not on the same page, but I think soon that might start to slowly change. I won't give my two cents on where he will end up because I'll leave that to the so called experts. Who every lands him is getting a very motivated young man who has turned the page in maturity level and turned it up a notch on the court."
Bolden
- Thread starter Jake1985
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I just hope he eventually puts less and less credence in his AAU coach, who is not in Duke's corner. Duke is the best choice for playing time but the enviornment might not be suited to him socially. And K gets kids to the pros too. Cal doesn't have a monopoly on that.
I would like to know what Gary-7 says about this. OFC
Again, in my conversation, it was said "that his head and heart will slowly get on the same page". I'm not saying that's pro anyone but I am for sure positive that his head is his AAU coach and his heart is his mom.
I agree that Duke might not be his ideal environment socially, but the same could be said for many that have stepped foot into Cameron.
I don't have any strong feeling one way or another and obviously I can not disclose all that was said but this one changed daily with who leads and why.
I agree that Duke might not be his ideal environment socially, but the same could be said for many that have stepped foot into Cameron.
I don't have any strong feeling one way or another and obviously I can not disclose all that was said but this one changed daily with who leads and why.
Since you can't talk to him directly, you could go with the closest substitute: you could go watch some monkeys at a zoo having a s*** fight. It has the exact same amount of intellectual merit that Gary's posts do.
Jake, I only brought up the social aspect because logically speaking, that is Duke's only percieved negative. They have loads of playing time with arguably the best coach in America. We have a tremendous track record of nba players coming out of the program. He will be hanging out with guys he is already familiar with on a team that will be preseason favorites to play in a FF. He was fairly close to committing on his visit until his "head" talked him considering other options. It's beyond me what argument his "head" is using to push UK or Kansas over the opportunites he will have at Duke on the court. Every one of these programs will have kids that will push Bolden to a 3rd option. He is not going to be the man at UK, Kansas or Duke. No more than Okafor was when he was here. The big difference in the 3 to me is that K historically sticks with 7 players. Bolden will be one of those 7 players
I have it on good authority that Gary overheard a waitress whose cousin lives about 50 miles from Boldens AAU coach say he is a UNC lock
I can not for the life of me figure out how Bolden can turn down the situation he would be in at Duke with the players, hype, tv time, and amenities that would surround him. Giles, Kennard, Allen , Tatum , Jackson, he's the piece of the puzzle custom made to complete a team that could easily bring Mike Krzyzewski his sixth National Championship. He could go out on top of the top. And STILL, I've got this feeling he's not coming.
Well he'd get pretty much the same situation at Kansas or Kentucky too. Although the way Self has crapped out with Alexander and Diallo the last 2 years I'm not sure why a big guy would want to go there but who knows? I keep feeling like it's gonna be either uk or duke.
Some kids don't feel like they fit in at Duke socially as compared to big state schools.
Not saying that KU & UK don't have elite players in Boldens' ear but Harry and Jayson are really on it. Even Javin has reached out to him. This is very impactful. Again, will that swing him to Duke, not saying that, but he has a good relationship with those guys already and now watching games and seeing how he could fit in and get Max time coupled with playing with Giles and Tatum is a good thing.
If we got bolden and only ingram turned pro early, who is your starting 5? The pg spot is difficult to project.
I think the most talented 5 is allen, kennard, tatum, giles, bolden... But would be great if we had a pg step up. Jackson might be better than thornton. Kennard could be lethal 6th mant then. Redshirt jones as a sr? Good problems
Redshirt Jones as a senior? Is that a joke?
I know unlikely, but if only ingram leaves and land bolden he'll have trouble getting minutes. Allen, kennard and tatum are levels above matt, probably jackson too. Interesting to see how lineups would look. Redshirting jones next year wouldn't be as crazy as it sounds.
I saw a few weeks ago about Duke looking at Bruno Fernando from Montverde in FL. Anyone know anything about him?
Again if wr get everyone and only ingram leavrs, maybe thornton red shirts then. I don't see the minutes for allen, jones, kennard, thorton, jackson, tatum unless some of them are good with 10-15min max a game
It's a great problem to have, thornton needs a ton of work but has the talent, jones doesn't have as much talent, jackson has better size and shooting than thornton imho, but can he run the offense and make better decisions? Allen, kennard, tatum are locks for major minutes, if allen stays.
I know everyone here disagrees, but Jackson is going to eat Thornton for lunch when he arrives.
Not sure if Grayson stays or leaves but the most athletic scoring line up if he leaves is Frank, Luke, Tatum, Giles and Bolden. If Grayson stays, switch him and Luke. Luke woukd be a great 6th man. That gives a Sr leader coming off the bench and a ball handler in DT. Still lacks depth in the front court although, the things I keep hearing about Javin makes me think that his energy and versatility might be something K gives minutes to.
It takes a lot for me to mock someone here, but you're a moron if you think jones OR Derryck will redshirt next year (barring injury). You mean k would redshirt either the team leader OR the only true PG on the roster? Idiocy.
Show, I'll take that bet. Jackson is a stud, but remember he and Derryck are basically the same age, but DT will have had one year of collegiate ball under his belt.
Show, I'll take that bet. Jackson is a stud, but remember he and Derryck are basically the same age, but DT will have had one year of collegiate ball under his belt.
And make no mistake, if Jeter or Vrank don't develop significantly, Duke will need another true 5.
K would know better than you.
Listen, Matt is struggling. Everyone knows that. But what is the sense of piling on? He's being forced to spend most of his time playing out of position, he sprained an ankle less than two weeks ago and has been playing in pain, and he's playing virtually every minute of every game. Is he our star? Our best player? No. But I trust K enough if he says he's our rock. He's knows more about this team than any idiot on this board.
There's a difference between constructive criticism toward our players and being unsupportive, disloyal, and rude.
Not really sure how that is piling on. I am just quoting what K said. I respect Matt Jones and what he brings to us.
it wasn't a will they, it's a should one of them question?
I agree with show, i think jackson is already better than derryck. If allen stays you have tatum, allen, kennard, jones, jackson, derryck for 3 spots. Tatum allen kennard are locks for big minutes, how do the other 3 shake out?
Show I agree with you 100%. Many posters on here also thought many of us who said Luke would be a much better player than Matt were crazy. We'll just like I said in the past, Matt is too slow and not athletic enough.
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Dattier come on, really. Freedom of speech is ok just to let you know. PC is such a problem in this country today and your statement makes the case of what is wrong. If a poster says he shoots rocks don't cry about it.
I agree with you that Kennard is a much better player than Matt, but K will not bench him, K is loyal to him much like he was with Josh Hariston and Tyler Thorton.