Yep. He has 13 others now who don't question. Next play.
Derryck Thornton Appreciation Thread
- Thread starter Crank_it_loud
- Start date
Yep. He has 13 others now who don't question. Next play.
When I say talent, I also say versatility. Duke has some special kids coming in, but Brandon was a freak player with physical attributes that perhaps only a healthy Giles could top. Giles has a ways to go so I'll table my expectations of him. Frank and Jayson are really, really good, but I don't see Frank having the all around game Ingram had. As previously stated, I think Tatum is closest (considering Giles knee), but even then I'm not convinced he'll be as special as Brandon in year 1. As for Bolden, I think he will develop a bit more slowly so I'm not comparing he and Ingram in this case.
I get what you are saying Crank, but you also have to take into consideration the team this year compared to last. This team is deep and full of talent! Ingram played on a team that lacked a lot of depth and talent/athletism that this team will have... A healthy Jefferson, a more experienced Grayson, more experienced Luke and Jeter, a senior Matt, plus the freshman coming in are better then the ones last year. None of they have to take on the load of having to carry a team on their back like Allen and Ingram had to last year.
Well stated man, very good point.
I am just still a bit irked at not having a true PG, and by reading other boards such as DBR, I am clearly not the only one feeling that way. What is also interesting is that there is talk of Duke pursuing a PG transfer to practice with the team next year and be ready for 17-18. That means someone else would need to transfer or lose a scholly (Justin perhaps)?
Breaking the press is really a team deal and depends more on having finishers to scare teams from doing it...you know like Giles and Tatum and even Frank if he is in attack mode. Or even this Allen kid who is supposed to be pretty good. Press won't be an issue.
As for the uncle...he compares this to Dockery not developing at Duke. Dockery came from the same prep class as the great Eddie Curry. Something in the water that year must've stunted development.
As for the uncle...he compares this to Dockery not developing at Duke. Dockery came from the same prep class as the great Eddie Curry. Something in the water that year must've stunted development.
Interesting perspectives on the need for a true PG or a PG by committee. Maybe we can use football as an example. Would you rather have a QB who runs the team or 2/3 that each play? I think its pretty clear which one is more successful. I love watching the "I hate Christian Laettner " ESPN special because it shows how a PG can drive a team - Hurley was amazing...couple that with other great players and you are close to unbeatable. I loved JWill and last year ( 2015) too for those same reasons...i am in the camp that a true PG of star quality provides a much better chance of winning a NT.
That said - i'd like to be wrong next year!
That said - i'd like to be wrong next year!
Maybe Thornton is a true PG, but he wasn't of star quality, nor do I think he would've been next year. I also don't think our chances of winning a title next year diminish much with the loss of Thornton. We have a special, special class coming in and we just need to relax and enjoy. It's going to be an unbelievable season next year. Let's just trust the coaching staff to carry us to number six.
OFC
Count me in this camp. As much heat as Thornton caught this season, I'm surprised he was suddenly the key to our title hopes.
Agreed DH.....if our title hopes depended on DT coming back then I think we would've been in trouble.
OFC
No one here said he's the key, but if you don't think it'll be more difficult to win without a true pg, you're kidding yourself IMO.
I'm sure this was English, I'm just not sure what type of English.
Our 5 titles in 25 years say hello
Let it go man, you grew frustrated and stepped off, remember? I did feel the need to clarify that not one single person here said or implied DT is the key to winning a title next year. We aren't going to agree here, but don't say that people think Thornton is THE KEY; that's crap IMO.
I'm out of this one!
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No true pg is better than a true pg being the weak link
Back to the appreciation part of this thread, thank you again Derryck. I sincerely hope you find the right fit.
Let it go man, you grew frustrated and stepped off, remember? I did feel the need to clarify that not one single person here said or implied DT is the key to winning a title next year. We aren't going to agree here, but don't say that people think Thornton is THE KEY; that's crap IMO.
I'm out of this one!
No, you're not out of this one. You've been whining about this the entire time, now dukehokie feeds you your lunch and suddenly he's wrong and you're out?
I read some of it. Hey , the guy's family and he's taking up for ( or thinks he's taking up for ) his nephew. Is what it is. People say things in the heat of the moment that may not be 100% accurate and this could easily be one of those situations. So K "pushes" Thornton out? Really? Kid can play and plays a position of need for Duke but K decides it's better to run 'im off anyway? Why? Open a schollie for Bolden? Excuse me. Lemme clarify and state more accurately. Open up a schollie for the POSSIBILITY that Bolden signs? No matter how confident some fans or recruiting experts are , until a player signs he ain't signed. Chris Carrawell once said some negative things about K when Chris was angry over the lack of NBA interest in his game. He was pizzed at the time. Clearly , he got over it. He had an elevated opinion of his NBA draft stock and when that opinion wasn't validated , he lashed out. It happens...and Chris was/is a Blue Devil. Thornton's uncle ain't. Just lookin' out for his nephew.
Derryck is talented and will get a great opportunity someplace else. Best of luck to him.
I don't want to see DT leave, but in my honest opinion, I don't think he will make or break Duke into a championship team. We're a championship-caliber team with or without him. His player efficiency rating was 9.4, which was the lowest on the team of the 10 scholarship players. Some have referenced Quinn as a point guard who had a woeful freshman campaign, but his PER was 19.4 - more than twice that of DT's. I think Thornton will be a good college player, I just don't know if I ever see him being elite. But again, I would love to keep him on board because I think with our horses he could improve more rapidly here than anywhere else. Hope he has a successful career wherever he ends up.
It's hard for me to imagine Duke being any worse off this year without DT. His defense was great but from an offensive stand point he left a lot to be desired. IMO we should be the favorites w/ or w/o DT, not buying the need for true PG talk, we've won big without it. It's critical for our PG to hit 3s consistently, DT didn't do that and Frank will.
DT definitely has talent and very real potential, but none of that matters if the situation does not work. His camp thought he should have been featured more, in the neighborhood of Allen and Ingram, and wanted a guarantee that would happen going forward. Coach K has set in the living rooms of guys like Grant Hill and Kyrie Irving and promised them nothing. He isn't about to start now. If DT is disgruntled, then it is certainly best for both parties to part ways. Duke is going to be special next year, but DT being unhappy and negative would not help him or the team. Best of luck to him, I hope his next stop suits him better.
This is unfortunate. I liked DT and thought he played hard. His mistakes were generally typical freshman mistakes.
I'm sure he had his reasons but if one of the main ones was minutes next season then this doesn't make sense. Sure, if Duke's guards stay healthy he might have been pretty limited in minutes as a sophomore. But things certainly looked good for him his junior year, with Matt gone, Grayson almost certainly gone, and Frank possibly a one and done.
So, just considering minutes his options are:
1. Duke - limited minutes as a soph (barring injuries), a possible national championship as a soph, and a clear path to big minutes as a junior.
2. Elsewhere - no minutes as a soph, probable big minutes as a junior.
I'm sure he had his reasons but if one of the main ones was minutes next season then this doesn't make sense. Sure, if Duke's guards stay healthy he might have been pretty limited in minutes as a sophomore. But things certainly looked good for him his junior year, with Matt gone, Grayson almost certainly gone, and Frank possibly a one and done.
So, just considering minutes his options are:
1. Duke - limited minutes as a soph (barring injuries), a possible national championship as a soph, and a clear path to big minutes as a junior.
2. Elsewhere - no minutes as a soph, probable big minutes as a junior.