Duke is the most talented team in America 1-5

[StevenCJackson]

Tre Jones is fantastic. We all know what he brings to the table, and if his jumper improves even a little bit, he's a Naismith favorite. He'll be a 1st rounder.

Cassius Stanley is a bit of a wild card to me. Super athletic obviously, and I think he'll be a great defender. If he can be a consistent >33ish% guy from deep, watch out. He could be our 5th 1st rounder. But I am least sure about him than anyone else.

Wendell Moore is the youngest guy in the class and good at everything. Gribanov has him going in the top 10 in next year's draft. He's a big fan. Moore is similar to Tre in that he doesn't make many mistakes. He has also improved (and keeps improving) his shooting. Shot 85% from FT line in EYBL. He'll be the excellent wing defender every team needs. 1st rounder.

Matthew Hurt is another guy Gribanov has in the top 10 in next year's draft. I don't know about Hurt's defense, but he's going to be incredible on offense. Easy 15 ppg guy. Think of a better T.J. Leaf. 1st rounder.

Vernon Carey Jr. is a back-end 1st rounder according to Gribanov. I disagree a bit by thinking Carey will be mid-1st rounder at worst. Like Hurt, he's an offense-first guy. He'll find scoring 15 ppg pretty effortless, as well. He was a top 2 or 3 player in the class for a very long time. I think prospect fatigue has set in. And frankly he's just underrated now. Guys like Wiseman and Scottie Lewis are not better than Carey.


There isn't a single team in the NCAA with a better combo of frontcourt players. Put them with a dynamite point guard, two hyper athletic wings, and a veteran bench.

There isn't a single team in the NCAA (outside of Duke) with 4 1st rounders and potentially 5.

Look out.

 

[DiehardDukeFan4Life]

No offense but where they might possibly get drafted has nothing to do with how good they’ll be in college

 

[sheyduke]

Winston also returned for Michigan state with rockets Watts another good four star combo which will make for a very interesting back court.

I do see Winston and Tre going head to head for player of the year( Tre having more of the upside in improvement should his three ball start falling more).

 

[dukehokie]

It’s been interesting watching how the scouts have had Carey plummeting on their boards. The dude has a skill that most 6’11 260 pounders don’t have in college and that’s exceptional footwork (and hands) and a deft touch from the outside. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he was top 2-3 this year at Duke in 3pt%.

If he can prove to be an animal on the boards with those skills on O, Duke will have a really good season.

 

[pisgah101]

Sounds like someone’s been smoking the good stuff

 

[dukehokie]

Sounds like someone’s been smoking the good stuff

 

[DukeDenver]

I like you OP. Keep the good vibes coming!

 

[christophero]

We will be talented for sure but this is a best case scenario for every freshman. What I like is we can back up each position with a veteran.

 

[Dattier]

...skill that most 6’11 260 pounders don’t have in college and that’s exceptional footwork (and hands) and a deft touch from the outside. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he was top 2-3 this year at Duke in 3pt%...

K's ability to adapt style could do it, but when was the last time we used a big man's versatility like that? Jah was a 1st option, but not versatile. Carter, Jr's inside-outside game was arguably underused. Bags? Before that?

 

[Dattier]

Matthew Hurt... Think of a better T.J. Leaf.

Or Kyle Wiltjer...
Or Dirk...
Or Ryan Kelly...
Or Dunleavy...
Or Kyle Korver...
Or Larry Bird, Joe Ingles, Chandler Parsons, Kyle Singler, Gordon Hayward, Kiki Vandeweghe, Porzingas, Kirilenko, Rick Barry, Jerry West, Bob Cousy, Detlef Schrempf, Mark Eaton, Chris Mullin, Stojakovic, Havlicek, Luke Ridnaur, Shavlik Randolph, Jeff Hornacek, Craig Ehlo, Bobby Jones, Billy Cunningham, Sean Bradley, Adam Morrison, Bill Bradley, Wally Szczerbiak, Keith Van Horn, Scott Skiles, Tom Gugliotta, Will Ferrell, Kelly Tripuka, Cody Zeller, Luke Zeller, Tyler Zeller, Miles Plumlee, Mason Plumlee, Marshall Plumlee, Monte Towe, Chase Budinger, Gheorge Muresan, Jason Kapono, or Woody Harrelson.

Maybe... just maybe Turkaglu... I'm not sure... maybe...

But definitely not Corey Brewer, because THAT would be ridiculous!

 

[Quest4Seven]

Not here to start a pissing match but you guys had 3 players who a year ago were considered the 3 best players in the 2019 draft. Being a top heavy team doesnt always work out, look what happened to the Warriors once KD got hurt and how Duke looked this year without Zion.

 

[GAAP_rivals]

Not here to start a pissing match but..

 

[dukehokie]

K's ability to adapt style could do it, but when was the last time we used a big man's versatility like that? Jah was a 1st option, but not versatile. Carter, Jr's inside-outside game was arguably underused. Bags? Before that?

Two of the three you listed didn’t have much offensive arsenal outside of 10 feet. And Bagley was allowed to drive pretty often down the stretch. He even started setting up at the arc toward the end. Carter was absolutely under-utilized and K has said such.

The key to my statement was 3pt%. I don’t think he'll lead in threes made, but I absolutely think he’ll be up there in percentage with Joey, Alex, And Matt. Wendell has a chance because his shot really is improving and the same goes for Cassius. However, coming in, Vernon is absolutely one of Duke’s better 3 point shooters.

 

[dukehokie]

Or Kyle Wiltjer...
Or Dirk...
Or Ryan Kelly...
Or Dunleavy...
Or Kyle Korver...
Or Larry Bird, Joe Ingles, Chandler Parsons, Kyle Singler, Gordon Hayward, Kiki Vandeweghe, Porzingas, Kirilenko, Rick Barry, Jerry West, Bob Cousy, Detlef Schrempf, Mark Eaton, Chris Mullin, Stojakovic, Havlicek, Luke Ridnaur, Shavlik Randolph, Jeff Hornacek, Craig Ehlo, Bobby Jones, Billy Cunningham, Sean Bradley, Adam Morrison, Bill Bradley, Wally Szczerbiak, Keith Van Horn, Scott Skiles, Tom Gugliotta, Will Ferrell, Kelly Tripuka, Cody Zeller, Luke Zeller, Tyler Zeller, Miles Plumlee, Mason Plumlee, Marshall Plumlee, Monte Towe, Chase Budinger, Gheorge Muresan, Jason Kapono, or Woody Harrelson.

Maybe... just maybe Turkaglu... I'm not sure... maybe...

But definitely not Corey Brewer, because THAT would be ridiculous!

I get the connotation, but Leaf isn’t a bad comp, regardless of race. Collins from Gonzaga is who always comes to mind for me because of the shot blocking.

If you want a comparison of a different race, maybe Channing Frye.

 

[Dattier]

I get the connotation, but Leaf isn’t a bad comp, regardless of race. Collins from Gonzaga is who always comes to mind for me because of the shot blocking.

If you want a comparison of a different race, maybe Channing Frye.

I was hoping someone would appreciate my inclusion of Will Ferrell.

I was half-kidding, at the OP's expense. It is a thing, though.

 

[Dattier]

Two of the three you listed didn’t have much offensive arsenal outside of 10 feet. And Bagley was allowed to drive pretty often down the stretch. He even started setting up at the arc toward the end. Carter was absolutely under-utilized and K has said such.

The key to my statement was 3pt%. I don’t think he'll lead in threes made, but I absolutely think he’ll be up there in percentage with Joey, Alex, And Matt. Wendell has a chance because his shot really is improving and the same goes for Cassius. However, coming in, Vernon is absolutely one of Duke’s better 3 point shooters.

Right, Carter is the closest of the 3 and he still wasn't what you described about Vernon.

So how far back do we have to go for a more apt comparison?

 

[dukehokie]

Right, Carter is the closest of the 3 and he still wasn't what you described about Vernon.

So how far back do we have to go for a more apt comparison?

I don’t think we have one exactly the same. Bigs until the mid-2010’s weren’t 3 pt shooters. In terms of freedom, Vernon will have the inside-out freedom of McLeod or Laettner. Not skill or amazing career, just the same freedom. He’s an adept scorer down low, and he will have plays drawn up for him to step out and shoot.

 

[dukehokie]

I was hoping someone would appreciate my inclusion of Will Ferrell.

I was half-kidding, at the OP's expense. It is a thing, though.

My favorite was Craig Ehlo.

 

[pisgah101]

Not here to start a pissing match but you guys had 3 players who a year ago were considered the 3 best players in the 2019 draft. Being a top heavy team doesnt always work out, look what happened to the Warriors once KD got hurt and how Duke looked this year without Zion.

Pissing match or what? Your team did no better with less talent. Whoop de doo

 

[skysdad]

Not here to start a pissing match but you guys had 3 players who a year ago were considered the 3 best players in the 2019 draft. Being a top heavy team doesnt always work out, look what happened to the Warriors once KD got hurt and how Duke looked this year without Zion.

I have no idea why you would even post on this thread other than to start a pissing match. You guys just cant stay away from our board. OFC

 

[Quest4Seven]

I have no idea why you would even post on this thread other than to start a pissing match. You guys just cant stay away from our board. OFC

To talk basketball - which I like to do on here because you guys usually have really good discussions going compared to the kool aid threads and top secret intel from Gary we have on THR. Do you disagree that it takes more than having a good starting 5 and that depth and experience is just as important?

 

[cagv]

This class has good potential. A lot of 'under the radar' kind of players with 2-3 NBA starter talent, especially ones that won't be good enough to go lotto in one year. 3/4 star upperclassmen are the ones who win you national championships.

Tre Jones will be a monster this year.

 

[germantondevil]

To talk basketball - which I like to do on here because you guys usually have really good discussions going compared to the kool aid threads and top secret intel from Gary we have on THR. Do you disagree that it takes more than having a good starting 5 and that depth and experience is just as important?

I agree, along with experience comes physical maturity, and those two combined makes a huge difference come tourney time. This past Duke team was an exception when it came to the physical game, but they still lacked the experience

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Without an obvious superstar, this team has a better chance to become just that, a team. If they commit to that and barring freshman mistakes at crucial times, this team could go very deep in the tournament.

I hope K doesn't shorten the bench too much. Depth is excellent, and needs to be used to advantage.

Naturally I don't want you guys to be too good, but this could be a really nice team.

Outside shooting could be a problem. Especially with the line moved back.

 

[Dattier]

We won't have (or deserve) the attention and fanfare we had this past year, but the veteran effect that helped UVa, Nova, UNC, and Nova win the last 4 championships will be more attainable with a 5-star sophomore (Ha!) PG and 2 returning captains who will be seniors and important role players.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

We may not have the incoming WOW that the Duke team's of the past 2 years have had, but I'm looking forward to this season as much as any other. We definitely won't have the elite top-end talent that we have had, but the shooting should be much improved next year and last I checked that in 2019 three-point shooting is as important as ever.

Combine better shooting with our best/most experienced PG since...Scheyer?? (Alright, I'll listen to the 8 game Kyrie argument too) And we have the ingredients to get back in the Final 4. Whether we have a deep team or not, I like us having multiple options at different positions and the house won't burn down if 1 guy gets injured (unless it's Tre.)

 

[JC CATS]

Or Kyle Wiltjer...
Or Dirk...
Or Ryan Kelly...
Or Dunleavy...
Or Kyle Korver...
Or Larry Bird, Joe Ingles, Chandler Parsons, Kyle Singler, Gordon Hayward, Kiki Vandeweghe, Porzingas, Kirilenko, Rick Barry, Jerry West, Bob Cousy, Detlef Schrempf, Mark Eaton, Chris Mullin, Stojakovic, Havlicek, Luke Ridnaur, Shavlik Randolph, Jeff Hornacek, Craig Ehlo, Bobby Jones, Billy Cunningham, Sean Bradley, Adam Morrison, Bill Bradley, Wally Szczerbiak, Keith Van Horn, Scott Skiles, Tom Gugliotta, Will Ferrell, Kelly Tripuka, Cody Zeller, Luke Zeller, Tyler Zeller, Miles Plumlee, Mason Plumlee, Marshall Plumlee, Monte Towe, Chase Budinger, Gheorge Muresan, Jason Kapono, or Woody Harrelson.

Maybe... just maybe Turkaglu... I'm not sure... maybe...

But definitely not Corey Brewer, because THAT would be ridiculous!

I like your Kyle comparison, that seems to fit

 

[bullcity gamer]

To talk basketball - which I like to do on here because you guys usually have really good discussions going compared to the kool aid threads and top secret intel from Gary we have on THR. Do you disagree that it takes more than having a good starting 5 and that depth and experience is just as important?

Well this Duke team will have a good starting 5, along with BOTH Depth and Experience.