Current thoughts on AOC

[AlanInNJ]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised to see K tighten his rotation down by this time of the season. Of course last night was a bit of an anomaly, but it's really down to 7 for the most part now with Jack getting what seems to be only spot minutes.

By now I was hoping to see more of AOC on the floor. We sure could use his shooting on nights when our starters are clanking threes. Where do you think Alex stands right now, and what do you think he needs to do to get more playing time?

 

[dukebluesTX]

Phew..... When I first saw AOC I thought you were talking about the nut job socialist from New York for a moment

 

[pisgah101]

Phew..... When I first saw AOC I thought you were talking about the nut job socialist from New York for a moment

HAHA me too

 

[crazyduke3]

I think of AOC like Javin and Jack right now. I think K is looking for some kind of consistency from somebody on the bench and he cannot find it. Our captains are not helping right now. We can’t get much of anything from AOC. Jordan was good last night on defense but can we rely on him week to week.

Last night was a thrill ride but the first 30 were a nightmare for a few reasons. Bad bench play is one of them.

 

[duhondukie]

When Alex came in last night I tried to watch only him (although its really hard when Zion is on the floor), and to me it is his lack of doing the simple things that is keeping him off the floor. I watched him not grab a defensive rebound with 2 hands, he bent at the waist to pick up a loose ball, and he does not make the simple plays on the offensive end. Just my opinion, but right now except for his ability to shoot the basketball he should be playing like he is, and that is sparingly.

 

[dukehokie]

When Alex came in last night I tried to watch only him (although its really hard when Zion is on the floor), and to me it is his lack of doing the simple things that is keeping him off the floor. I watched him not grab a defensive rebound with 2 hands, he bent at the waist to pick up a loose ball, and he does not make the simple plays on the offensive end. Just my opinion, but right now except for his ability to shoot the basketball he should be playing like he is, and that is sparingly.

Saw the same exact stuff. He was not ready for the speed of that game. I’d love to see him get a couple minutes during this tough stretch, but I’m not sure it happens much. VT and NCSU are probably the best chances, with some Syracuse sprinkled in.

 

[BlueDaveil]

It also seems like a lot of the times we see him in the game is when we are having trouble scoring. Typically when we are having trouble scoring is when teams are effectively clogging the lane and we aren’t hitting jump shots. At that point most teams are content letting RJ, Zion and Cam shoot from outside so all they really have to do is focus on Alex not getting open looks. This typically results in Alex getting very few if any shot attempts and then getting pulled. If the court was spread and we were running great offense you’d probably see him be really productive for us but with the drop off in his defense it seems unlikely we seem him in those situations in a tight game.

 

[DukeJim99]

When Alex came in last night I tried to watch only him (although its really hard when Zion is on the floor), and to me it is his lack of doing the simple things that is keeping him off the floor. I watched him not grab a defensive rebound with 2 hands, he bent at the waist to pick up a loose ball, and he does not make the simple plays on the offensive end. Just my opinion, but right now except for his ability to shoot the basketball he should be playing like he is, and that is sparingly.

I think this is pretty accurate. I think Alex has lost a lot of the confidence he had last season. He's a good enough shooter that he doesn't need to be wide open in order for him shooting a 3 to be a good shot. He's good enough that semi-open is sufficient. But he's not taking those semi-open threes anymore, like he did last season.

I think the only disagreement I have with your post is that I think all Alex is doing on O is making the simple plays. He's not creating anything 80% of the time he touches the ball. He takes a dribble, looks to feed the post, nothing there, swing it back to Tre or RJ. Ok, well, if that's what you're doing, why are you on the floor? What are you bringing to the table?

Same criticism of Jack White on the offensive end since Syracuse (before that he was killing it). If you're scared to shoot threes, you aren't going to blow by anyone, and you're just going to stand in the corner waiting for the corner three that you won't actually take, rather than crashing the offensive glass, what are you bringing to the table on offense? Jack at least has impact with blocking shots and defensive rebounding, but he's a bit too slow-footed to guard some wings on the perimeter so depending on the matchup he can be a negative on that end as well.

That said, I think either Jack or Alex could have an impact game any night. If either one hits their first couple of threes and gets some minutes, they could absolutely end up playing 20 min and being the difference in a game. Imagine if Jack White was shooting like he did pre-Syracuse and Cam gets back to being the consistent 40% 3-point shooter we all know he can be. Shiiiiiiiiiiiit.

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

kid has just got to be ready to fire away and be disruptive on defense

 

[Mac9192]

Alex isn’t mature, and he’s not tough enough.

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

 

[Liftee]

I'm disappointed at AOC this year, I had hoped for big things from him. But if he's afraid to shoot, won't drive to the basket, and is still getting beaten back door on defense, he hasn't earned PT. Now with Reddish shooting well, the need for a shooter has declined a little.
AOC will have to earn his playing time when he gets it, and if he's tentative, it's his own fault. And I hate saying this.

 

[Quavarius]

I think a LOT of fans built up an AOC in their head that they felt would be playing more this season without realizing he has huge liabilities on the court.

Next year will be a better year for AOC because he will have had two summers under his belt to get better. He will be a decent contributor in the years to come. Not sure why some were quick to think he would have an increased role at this point in his career.

 

[Fightfan1]

The kid can shoot wide open shots, but other than that he's a detriment to the team when on the court. He looks shaky, unsure and timid. And defensively he's often lost and doesn't play strong.

 

[jcdevilfan]

I really like this kid, and have liked him since I first saw his HS tapes. I always root extra hard for him when he gets in the game, but I really believe the talent around him (especially this year) is overwhelming. He is just not ready confidence wise, maybe maturity wise is a better word. He is never in a game long enough to get into the flow of things, but he also doesn't seem to be able to engage immediately, and that leaves him little room for error.
"K" really has a way of bringing kids along and molding them, so I think the best of Alex is yet to come. I have a feeling that we will see a big change in him the next 2 years. I know I will be a fan of his for the rest of his Duke career.
I still have thoughts about the Syracuse game, when Alex came in and gave the team a big spark. We couldn't buy a bucket, he seemed to be engaged, and had a hot shooting hand. He was all over the place, hustling, and even had the Crazies fired up. I kept hoping that "K" might run some things for him to take advantage of the situation, which would in turn give him more confidence, but it never happened. Just a thought.
Go Duke!
OFC

 

[Canadian Dukie]

I'm hoping Alex has a breakout year next season,and becomes a star as a senior,he's got some scary good guys playing ahead of him and may be a little intimated.Hopefully he's just one of those guys that take a couple seasons to reach their full potential.