Duke Class is
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I agree with that. In retrospect, it's easy to second guess the decision. But, at the time -- Duke was looking at a field that had a number of teams that seemed flat-out better than Duke, including KU, OSU, and a couple others. I think K rightly felt that Duke's only chance to seriously compete against the best-of-the-best was to get Kyrie Irving; with the hope that both Kyrie and the team would grow together as they made a run through the tourney. It didn't happen unfortunately; which was made all the worse by the fact that a number of the perceived favorites fell flat on their face during the tourney -- which would have given us a serious chance to make a run if we had survived Arizona. But, at the time, I think K's decision to bring Kyrie back made a lot of sense.
Back to 2011.
The messed-up-chemistry explanation has been out there.
And it may be true.
But the Arizona game was Irving's third game back.
The first was a tune-up against Hampton.
But the second was a very competitive game against a very good Michigan team--Darius Morris, Tim Hardaway, Jr., Zach Novak.
Duke won 73-71 and it wasn't decided until Morris missed a leaner from the lane at the buzzer.
Irving made some big shots, including a field goal that put Duke up 72-68 after Michigan had cut a 15-point deficit to two points.
Huge shot.
But. Duke's best player that day in Charlotte was Nolan Smith. He led everyone with 24 points, hitting 8-13 from the field (2-4 on 3s) and 6-7 from the line.
So, here's my dilemma. If there were chemistry issues in Irving's third game back, why were there no chemistry issues in his second game back, a very competitive game in which Duke's season could well have ended?
I just think Smith had a miserable game. It happens. Grant Hill shot 4 for 11 in his last game at Duke. J.J. Redick shot 3 for 18 in his last game.DeMarcus Nelson, Mark Alarie, Jabari Parker all struggled in their final Duke performances.
it happens.
The messed-up-chemistry explanation has been out there.
And it may be true.
But the Arizona game was Irving's third game back.
The first was a tune-up against Hampton.
But the second was a very competitive game against a very good Michigan team--Darius Morris, Tim Hardaway, Jr., Zach Novak.
Duke won 73-71 and it wasn't decided until Morris missed a leaner from the lane at the buzzer.
Irving made some big shots, including a field goal that put Duke up 72-68 after Michigan had cut a 15-point deficit to two points.
Huge shot.
But. Duke's best player that day in Charlotte was Nolan Smith. He led everyone with 24 points, hitting 8-13 from the field (2-4 on 3s) and 6-7 from the line.
So, here's my dilemma. If there were chemistry issues in Irving's third game back, why were there no chemistry issues in his second game back, a very competitive game in which Duke's season could well have ended?
I just think Smith had a miserable game. It happens. Grant Hill shot 4 for 11 in his last game at Duke. J.J. Redick shot 3 for 18 in his last game.DeMarcus Nelson, Mark Alarie, Jabari Parker all struggled in their final Duke performances.
it happens.
Especially if Briscoe and Lee don't come back. The will be very thin especially at guard play.
1. The Harrison Barnes thing was different. The reason is he straight up told K to save his 40 for him. He told K he was coming and them reneged. I have no problem with a kid deciding to go elsewhere but to say that and then not even have the common decency to tell him you changed your mind and have him find out via Skype is incredible. So no not the same.
2. Anyone saying that Kyrie shouldn't have played is moronic. He's the best player in the country that year before his injury and then a presumptive top pick in the draft. You telling me you are going to bench him?
3. As Jim mentioned we don't even get to the sweet 16 without him. He hit some clutch shots in that game. Zona shot lights out, is what it is. We play them in a 7 game series and we win 4-1 or 4-2, but that's not how it works, give them credit.
2. Anyone saying that Kyrie shouldn't have played is moronic. He's the best player in the country that year before his injury and then a presumptive top pick in the draft. You telling me you are going to bench him?
3. As Jim mentioned we don't even get to the sweet 16 without him. He hit some clutch shots in that game. Zona shot lights out, is what it is. We play them in a 7 game series and we win 4-1 or 4-2, but that's not how it works, give them credit.
Tell Brother tell it. And fans other than Duke fans wonder why we dislike and rag on Barnes so much. He's the reason I will not pull for G.S. JaRobMc don't bother me that much. Hope Barnes ends up with the Hornheels. OFC
Now that the Ivies are going to a conference tournament, everybody ends their season with a loss, unless your team wins the NCAA, NIT or one of the who-cares tourneys.
That's pretty sobering.
Also people forget that the teams UK played close that year(ole miss, Texas A&M, Georgia, ND) were just free throws away from winning. Those teams couldn't hit the clutch free throws down the stretch and that's why UK was able to escape with the win in those games.
I actually think K made a major mistake in the Arizona game. Duke played Derrick Williams one-on-one in the first half, conceding him his points but holding down everyone else.
Duke started doubling Williams in the second half and his teammates started going off. Nolan Smith had a terrible shooting game but Duke lost on D. You can't go into a game with the mindset you can allow 93 points and still win. Arizona ran a lay-up drill in the second half.
Duke started doubling Williams in the second half and his teammates started going off. Nolan Smith had a terrible shooting game but Duke lost on D. You can't go into a game with the mindset you can allow 93 points and still win. Arizona ran a lay-up drill in the second half.
Those were my thoughts as well Jim. We were still leading at the half I'm pretty sure and DW was outa this world. Tough tough loss
If I remember correctly, Arizona set their school record for offensive efficiency that game.
I never said that if you thought chemistry issues hurt that team was moronic. Never once. I tend to agree somewhat that they did to an extent. What I said was moronic was the notion that you would have just let Kyrie sit. It's complete hindsight is 20/20 crap and in no way what so ever would you ever sit the best player bc you're worried about chemistry. If we had lost by benching him, there would be thread after thread torching that decision making. And no, no one is going to hesitate to post bc of this statement.
I think we messed up that year by giving Kyrie the keys back. Nolan had been amazing and we were playing very good ball. Obviously you play Kyrie but I woulda kept the starters as it were and let him be 6th man and play SG when in with Nolan rolling still. I still think we were the best team that year early with him and late with out him
What? Why do you feel the need to attack anyone that doesn't agree with you? I'm sure the other clown will be back at some point but sadly for you I'm not he/she.
I don't think Duke ever had a chance in the Zona game with the way Zona shot the ball. They would have been competitive against some Pro teams in that game.
you're a coach and you have the best player in the nation ready to go do you sit him?
I think it's funny you have to disguise yourself just to fit in now. Hilarious. I liked the "other clown" pitch though, it's so....crank .
You have serious, serious issues. Weren't you the guy who pretends to be a gun "expert"? That alone with your message board instability is a scary thing. Like other readers have said, it's best to ignore you. Noted and done.
I agree gotta go - not sure many teams would have beaten Zona that night. When Williams drained that 3 before the half with Kelly in his face, I had a feeling Duke was doomed for the evening.
I was at that Duke-Mich game, we lose without Kyrie - team was so flat that day.
Without a doubt we had the best team if Kyrie stayed healthy all year, I'm sure him and Nolan would have figured it out.
Without Kyrie, I don't believe we were the #1 team, but still would have been 1 of the 10 teams with a shot to win the title.
This hasn't been mentioned much, but Kyle didn't shoot well most of that season, without Kyle playing up to his full potential, we had no shot, with or without Kyrie.
Yo Pisgah, Like I said ,that Blazabickits dipstick, it was Crank. Mods already busted him. He's so sorry he's calling himself a clown to hide on the board. As I said, he's easy to sniff out......FULL MOUNT ! Like a pony, haha!
I've been on the side of the fence of sit Kyrie, but I'm close to being convinced to switch. Mainly because of the Kyle argument. He really was off most of the year. He obviously had good games and he was versatile all season, but didn't produce as most thought he would. Without an All-American caliber Kyle, our team was sunk regardless of who played.
Though Mason with Kyrie was on the verge of being one of the best big men in the ACC.
Edit: Now he was an NABC Second team All-American, and first team All-ACC player, but he had his lowest totals of rebounds, 3pt %, assists, blocks, steals and efficiency since his freshman year. Not the year most expected of Kyle and maybe a reason why his jersey wasn't retired.
Haha I figured. I saw he posted something and some other newbie liked it so I'm thinking he made a few accounts. He won't be able to hide well tho! I'm sure he's reading this now too bad he's not around I had a few more avatar bets I'd like to do!
Sorry Broseph, I am new at posting here, just not at reading. Slowenuff has a fascination with people who aren't in his internet posse I guess?
Um, dipstick, you were talking about guns not 2 weeks ago on this board. Not sure where you get your timelines from LOLZ. I only remember because you were obviously uneducated on firearms so it stood out to me.
And for the Love of Pete stop talking loosely about IP addresses. It is incredibly easy to mock nearly anyone's IP address from the web, including yours. So stop, stop, STOP with that BS.
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Was interesting when KI was healthy how far MSU pushed Duke at Cameron, yet it was early in the season. Had he stayed healthy I think they would have gelled nicely and been best team by mid- to end-season. I remember that game against KSU where they dogged Pullen (sp?) and crew.
That and then anyone that doesn't meet Slow's standards is automatically deemed a troll.....
I am here to talk Duke bball.
I already did hit ignore just now. Thank you for being so concerned.
I made about 3 posts here and he went apesheot on me. He deserved more than a snide comment on his wife.
It must be sad to be such a loser you have to pose as 20 different people to make a post at a board where nobody wants to hear from you ever again. Give the mods a break and find another board to troll.