Derryck Thornton Appreciation Thread

[Crank_it_loud]

Theres been a bit of bashing of DT lately, but I'd like to start a thread in support of the kid. He didn't have a great year, no, but I feel he did pretty well considering the circumstances: little time to gel with the team, a short "leash", and an offense that didn't work to his strengths. He's a stud on D, a very good ball handler, but needs to work on his long-range game (many Freshmen do though).

I really hope Derryck comes back and runs the PG spot for Duke next year. Some feel he can't improve, but with a whole year, and offseason, under his belt, I believe we'd see a much improved PG next year.....

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

I am not going to bash the kid. And I do want him to come back. But why do we need to show any more appreciation just because he is believed to be transferring? I think that he should appreciate being Duke's PG and if he doesn't, then best of luck to him wherever he chooses to go.

 

[DevilDJ]

Agreed. I thought he was unfairly dumped on anyway. Reminds me of Quinn. Duke fans were tough on him initially too. He worked out pretty good too if I recall. I hope Thornton stays. Kid's fearless. Makes mistakes , plays poorly sometimes? Yep. He's also a freshman. A "freshman" , I might add , without all the "one-n-done" expectations/possibilities that came with , say , Kyrie and Tyus.

 

[Crank_it_loud]

I am not going to bash the kid. And I do want him to come back. But why do we need to show any more appreciation just because he is believed to be transferring? I think that he should appreciate being Duke's PG and if he doesn't, then best of luck to him wherever he chooses to go.

This thread is not because he's transferring, it's because he's getting ragged on frequently lately....

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

This thread is not because he's transferring, it's because he's getting ragged on frequently lately....

Like I said in the other thread, I think the biggest problem we have (we as a whole) is that we had too high of expectations for him. There is definitely talent there and he would be a very important piece to next year's puzzle. I think we're fooling ourselves if we say it wouldn't be a huge loss if he left. At the same time, I don't think criticism is unfair as long as criticism doesn't turn into disrespectful bashing. It's all a matter of opinion I reckon.

But yeah crank, here's to Thornton. I can get on board with that.

 

[df64]

Never want to see any kids transfer, but realize that they have to choose their own way. Hope he stays and has a great Duke carreer.

 

[dbav]

Hope he stays.

 

[CRAZIE4LIFE]

I said before, I love the kid, he has ton of potential and I'd love to see him back and see what he can do on a loaded team with a whole off season to practice

 

[DukeDenver]

The guy is a big time scorer with the quicks to become an all around team leader. Stay and become a champion Derryck.

 

[JCColsCane]

Good post Crank, and I agree. I really still don't believe this young man will leave Duke, surely not with the likes of Jon, Nolan, and hopefully Quinn in his ear, not to account for what "K" would have to say to him.
Anyone that thinks DT can't and won't improve over the off season, is just not in touch with reality! I feel so bad for him, and would love to speak with his father, just to say "give it one more year", then if you are not happy, let him transfer.
Suck it up Derryck, and come along for the ride to #6, you will be a major contributor. I want you here.
Go Duke!!


JC-OFC

 

[Dad2ze]

I hope he comes back. Seems like with some work in the off-Season he will improve and mature. He was at the Duke Lax game last night and is a really nice. Besides my daughter has a crush on you and Luke now. At least it's not a Tarhole player

 

[HuffyJB]

I too think he has a really bright future, and really hope he stays with it. Coach has a great track record with point guards, and he could add his name to that list.

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

DT had his lapses, but I thought he was pretty solid for a freshman. Not everyone is going to come in and be a freakin' stud from day one...in fact most don't. And can you imagine our season if he hadn't reclassified and came a year earlier? I'm guessing K would have had a backup plan, but doubt anyone would have been as good as Thornton.
I certainly hope DT comes back, but if not then I'm thankful for the year he wore a Blue Devil uni.

OFC

 

[Buzzooka Joe]

I honestly think he did just fine for a freshman PG, entering college a year early, coming to a team late into the off-season, with no offensive post player to feed the ball to.

I'd love to see how he improves over the Summer and having some offensive post players next year.

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

I hope he comes back. Seems like with some work in the off-Season he will improve and mature. He was at the Duke Lax game last night and is a really nice. Besides my daughter has a crush on you and Luke now. At least it's not a Tarhole player

Pretty cool man.

 

[dadecodevil]

I think he had a great freshman year, with some big plays in big games. If we see him back next season, I think we could see a major transformation, like what we saw from Joel Berry, maybe even better.

 

[skysdad]

Next year let's try hard to not bash any of our players. I'm guilty too. OFC

 

[Crank_it_loud]

Next year let's try hard to not bash any of our players. I'm guilty too. OFC

Me too buddy, particularly with Matt Jones.....

 

[Dukesince90]

Yeah. I for one got sick of all the piling on towards Matt and Derrick. I think Matt gave it his all and played hurt the last part of the year. I think he "manned up" and came back too early from his injury trying to do everything he could to give the team some depth. Derrick showed flashes many times of how great he can become if he learns to stay focused through the course of a game. Your freshmen year is tough not only from an athletic point, but as a life adjustment period. I think they both can be big pieces in our run for number 6!

 

[dukehokie]

A couple of things.

Number one: Great thread @Crank_it_loud. Sometimes expectations and failures can make us forget that regardless of how close to our standards they performed, these kids are giving their all on the court and in a classroom. None of us could handle what they take on to perform at this high of a level so remember that.

Number two: Matt Jones also comes to mind as a guy who deserves a couple band-aids after the backstabbing he's taken on this board.

Number three: If you don't like a topic and don't think it suits your particular needs as an individual then just don't read it. Please stop trying to hijack threads. That's something I'd like to see stopped on this board, and I am certainly guilty of doing it in the past. (Heck I'm doing it right now really) We can disagree on certain threads and topics all day, but sometimes it's best to just say "meh ok" and go with the flow.

Ok resume. Sorry I had to do that.

 

[crazyduke3]

If he doesn't want to wear the Duke uniform, he'll get no appreciation from me. Especially if he doesn't appreciate the Duke outfit.

It's an honor and should be treated as such.

We'll see what he does.

 

[dukehokie]

...Derrick showed flashes many times of how great he can become if he learns to stay focused through the course of a game. Your freshmen year is tough not only from an athletic point, but as a life adjustment period. I think they both can be big pieces in our run for number 6!

Let's not forget, he gave up his senior year of high school to come help his future team out. Maybe he's not high school aged anymore, but he certainly gave up some of the little things we take for granted for his guys. I don't know about you, but that sounds like sacrifice to me.

I know it's one all star game or whatever, but believe me when I say, he was pretty broken up about not being in the McDonald's game this year.

 

[Showenuff]

I think discussing players weaknesses is fine. It's not bashing. Comments like "he's garbage, he's trash or he sucks " that's bashing.

 

[GodIsGood4Ever]

He look happened in that picture. Mabye coach k talked to him about Quinn and his journey and he decided to stay

 

[Crank_it_loud]

Seriously though, Derryck and Frank in the backcourt? They would shred teams in getting to the basket. One crosses you over, the other just bulldozes his way in.

 

[Dukesince90]

Let's not forget, he gave up his senior year of high school to come help his future team out. Maybe he's not high school aged anymore, but he certainly gave up some of the little things we take for granted for his guys. I don't know about you, but that sounds like sacrifice to me.

I know it's one all star game or whatever, but believe me when I say, he was pretty broken up about not being in the McDonald's game this year.

I remember my freshmen year as a college football player. I put huge expectations on myself and things didn't pan out like I wanted them to. Then add in a little homesickness and I didn't know if I had chosen the right school.
I think DT just needs a little time and he will figure out the right thing to do and we will have a heck of a player the next 3 years.

 

[dukehokie]

I think discussing players weaknesses is fine. It's not bashing. Comments like "he's garbage, he's trash or he sucks " that's bashing.

I agree, I just want to keep it out of a thread titled "Derryck Thornton Appreciation" haha. I have no issues with discussing things about players, but there have been some pretty low things said about Matt and Derryck and I'm not a fan of those things (wishing for an injury and such).

 

[Laettner15]

Really would love to see DT back next year! hopefully it works in our favor and he comes back!

 

[skysdad]

I think discussing players weaknesses is fine. It's not bashing. Comments like "he's garbage, he's trash or he sucks " that's bashing.

That's what I'm talking about Show and it happens too much IMO. OFC

 

[df64]

Agree with the bashing comments. If a kid isn't good enough at any particular point, but is still getting minutes, logic says he would be replaced by someone less good. Look at Lance, Amile, Zoubs, Marshal, Melchioni. Did they or a close family member put a gun to K's head, say give this kid a ship and play him regardless? NO. Whatever happened, but I can't think of a single case where the kid shirked his responsibilities, put in no effort, and was rewarded with playing time. If any of those teams underperformed, they would have done worse without those guys.

Lastly, some of our all-time "disappointments" in regard to how they might have looked as a recruit and how they initially played wound up being vital parts of Title teams. Koubek-huge plays in first title. Marty Clark-huge plays and free throws against IU in second title. Casey Sanders-probably no title in 01 without him. Lance Thomas and Zoubs-do they even need to be mentioned for 2010? Quinn Cook, Matt Jones, and Amile-ditto for 15. These guys I just mentioned are probably some of the most criticized Duke players of all time! No academic probations, no drug arrests, no scandals. Just kids who played their hearts out, stuck around through adversity, and ultimately rewarded us and the team.

 

[Anon1728003274]

Let's not forget, he gave up his senior year of high school to come help his future team out. Maybe he's not high school aged anymore, but he certainly gave up some of the little things we take for granted for his guys. I don't know about you, but that sounds like sacrifice to me.

I know it's one all star game or whatever, but believe me when I say, he was pretty broken up about not being in the McDonald's game this year.

Gave up sr yr granted, but to help his future team, true....However, its not everyday a kid gets a chance to help K out....

 

[IrishDukie908]

The kid was technically a High School Senior running the point for Duke university...hats off on that alone. He's got the skills to be a really good player and showed flashes of it...i hope he doesnt transfer because i think in a couple years he could be special.

 

[pisgah101]

To be fair he had reclassified down before reclassifying back to his normal class..

 

[TRU CANE]

Come back young man and be a leader of something special. Come back young man and get that offseason workout summer grind you missed. Come back young man and plan to be here four years (blessing) get to get that education. Your parents did their job it's done. They helped you get a free education at a world class institution and bball program. Tell your parents "I'm good I got it from here on out, your job is done" we want you young man come here be loved

 

[dukehokie]

To be fair he had reclassified down before reclassifying back to his normal class..

That's why I mentioned the age thing. This would have been his "natural" class but there are things you get in a senior year of high school that you'll never forget. It's almost like missing out on a year of your life and fast forwarding. And those are things jaded old men like us take for granted, because of what we've gone through.

My point, he sacrificed and in that regard he has earned our respect IMO.

 

[dukehokie]

Gave up sr yr granted, but to help his future team, true....However, its not everyday a kid gets a chance to help K out....

Which is why through all of that, I was really hoping he would reconsider all of this.

He had built a really good relationship with Tatum and Giles (and Wenyen Gabriel when he was still a target).

 

[pisgah101]

That's why I mentioned the age thing. This would have been his "natural" class but there are things you get in a senior year of high school that you'll never forget. It's almost like missing out on a year of your life and fast forwarding. And those are things jaded old men like us take for granted, because of what we've gone through.

My point, he sacrificed and in that regard he has earned our respect IMO.

I missed you post Hokie my bad. And if I were in that situation I woulda stayed in high school. I loved it

 

[dukiejay]

Agree with the bashing comments. If a kid isn't good enough at any particular point, but is still getting minutes, logic says he would be replaced by someone less good. Look at Lance, Amile, Zoubs, Marshal, Melchioni. Did they or a close family member put a gun to K's head, say give this kid a ship and play him regardless? NO. Whatever happened, but I can't think of a single case where the kid shirked his responsibilities, put in no effort, and was rewarded with playing time. If any of those teams underperformed, they would have done worse without those guys.

Lastly, some of our all-time "disappointments" in regard to how they might have looked as a recruit and how they initially played wound up being vital parts of Title teams. Koubek-huge plays in first title. Marty Clark-huge plays and free throws against IU in second title. Casey Sanders-probably no title in 01 without him. Lance Thomas and Zoubs-do they even need to be mentioned for 2010? Quinn Cook, Matt Jones, and Amile-ditto for 15. These guys I just mentioned are probably some of the most criticized Duke players of all time! No academic probations, no drug arrests, no scandals. Just kids who played their hearts out, stuck around through adversity, and ultimately rewarded us and the team.

Well said.

 

[jnastasi]

If he is in fact transferring, why haven't we heard anything yet?

 

[dukiejay]

If he is in fact transferring, why haven't we heard anything yet?

Might be waiting until after the banquet, I don't know. I think it's this week.