This team is a work in progress for sure. There is a ton of talent from a ton of guys who are all at different places right now. They just need time to gel. My biggest concern is our lack of urgency out of the gate tonight. After a lack luster performance against Tenn St I expected a major performance tonight. I would like to see a mental toughness going forward. No one was tougher than Quinn Cook and it trickled down throughout. We need someone to take the reigns and lead this group
***DUKE VS ELON OFFICIAL GAMEDAY THREAD***
- Thread starter krzyzewskiville
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I think Matt is our best leader, but he's also not a scorer or go-to kind of guy.
Sounds as though Matt was the guy who organized Grayson and Santa Ana getting together tonight after the game, too.
Sounds as though Matt was the guy who organized Grayson and Santa Ana getting together tonight after the game, too.
Tatum is the leader now. Amile is always steady. Kennard the silent assasin. I see Frank coming on too. We're going to be fine.
Just got home and the first thing I did was read this game thread.
I always defer to Coach K, but I was shocked Grayson played in the 2nd half. He shouldn't of even been on the bench the second half and should be suspended for a couple of games. I had to listen to some *** wipe screaming "Tripper, Tripper" when Allen came back in.
I was impressed with Matt's play tonight. Tatum is gonna be awesome as the season progresses. My one concern is chemistry. It's going to take awhile, but we'll get there. When you insert Tatum and he shoots 22 times, it definitely affects the team's chemistry. Tatum's defense is pretty damn good. Frank tries to do too much at times. Luke is a scorer! I think Amile needs more touches on the low block, he doesn't have to always shoot, but we seem to play better when he gets the ball down low. Glad I got to see Duke in person, but was extremely disappointed with Grayson's immaturity.
I always defer to Coach K, but I was shocked Grayson played in the 2nd half. He shouldn't of even been on the bench the second half and should be suspended for a couple of games. I had to listen to some *** wipe screaming "Tripper, Tripper" when Allen came back in.
I was impressed with Matt's play tonight. Tatum is gonna be awesome as the season progresses. My one concern is chemistry. It's going to take awhile, but we'll get there. When you insert Tatum and he shoots 22 times, it definitely affects the team's chemistry. Tatum's defense is pretty damn good. Frank tries to do too much at times. Luke is a scorer! I think Amile needs more touches on the low block, he doesn't have to always shoot, but we seem to play better when he gets the ball down low. Glad I got to see Duke in person, but was extremely disappointed with Grayson's immaturity.
Matt Jones played great defense tonight...he is a pretty big kid up close...the centers hit like 6 or 7 threes...defense overall was good...just missed some shots...regroup over the break
Got it. I misunderstood the transcript I read and then saw it about 10 minutes ago and realized who K was talking about. The article
Made it sound like it was Matt Jones.
Yeah even listening to k at first I thought he was talking about jones then the more he said it was clearly Elons coach.
Sounds like Allen just needs a wake up call with some serious serious tough love. So much talent but has to get the emotions under control. So much potential that kid.
He clearly can't control his emotions judged by his continuous tripping and sideline antics. I think it could partially explain why he can have such awful games at times. He just lets things snowball and take over without control. I've never seen such a good player actually hurt the team by being on the court some games like Grayson. Duke would have been way better without him tonight. You never say that about great players. Even when great players don't play up to their own standard they still help the team.
That game sucked. Way too much hero ball. Nothing going into the post. No effort on defense. No bench rotation to speak of. And nothing resembling chemistry of any sort.
This should have been a game where Bolden got 25 minutes, White, Vrank, and Delaurier each got 10, and Kennard, Allen and Jefferson got a lot of rest.
I'm not even going to address the tripping incident. I couldn't believe my eyes. I just wonder what this does to Grayson's psyche after already having a very inconsistent start to the season.
This should have been a game where Bolden got 25 minutes, White, Vrank, and Delaurier each got 10, and Kennard, Allen and Jefferson got a lot of rest.
I'm not even going to address the tripping incident. I couldn't believe my eyes. I just wonder what this does to Grayson's psyche after already having a very inconsistent start to the season.
Good lord some of y'all freaking out way to much! This team reminds you of the Jabari team? Yeah right we're a very good team and will be great by the meat of conference play. As for Allen he should of never saw another second tonight! It's sick that he acted that way and just got to play like normal.
Also huge props to Matt, he did a great job on both sides tonight
Also huge props to Matt, he did a great job on both sides tonight
I might really get some crap for this but.... It sort of reminds me a little of Demarcus Cousins. Grayson has a tremendous skill set but he's an immature baby at times that lets his emotions get the best of him. Boogie was like that while at UK and he's still like that in the NBA; this is why Grayson's actions should have been nipped in the bud, if not after the first time, then absolutely after the second time. Like JWill said during the half, Grayson has essentially had two free passes.
Maybe this goes without saying, but Grayson is also seriously hurting himself here. He's throwing gallons of fuel on an already pretty hot fire - and unlike some players who enjoy and feed from the hatred - I don't think Grayson is one of them.
I'm not doubting this team has great potential and can gel and be special, but at the moment from what I've seen the chemistry reminds me of the Jabari team. They have not looked fired up at all the last two games. I guess it's hard to see Tennessee State and Elon on the schedule and come out with a killer instinct. Right now I'm not worried or saying the seasons over by any means, they just have to get things figured out and I'm sure they will.
The Jabari team was a pretty damn good team with a ****** finish. That team couldn't get stops to save their life. It didn't mean that they weren't hungry or had a lack of effort. We lacked a post presence that year and it showed to be our downfall. I see 1.) little similarity to the two teams at all, since we are pretty damn good at getting stops and 2.) a little revisionist history on what that team actually was. They were a few plays away from winning the ACCT. again getting stops is what did them in.
For the record, I don't disagree with the premise of your post...which I take as you thinking Grayson has some "issues" in this area. Obviously something isn't right.
Now, where I disagree is with JWill saying Grayson has had two free passes. If you count not being suspended as the two free passes, then I get it. But just because Duke and K doesn't air the dirty laundry for the public to see doesn't mean he got free passes. Obviously the media didn't give him a free pass, opposing fans certainly didn't, either. It's not Duke's job to drag him through the mud too.
I guess what I'm saying is that while Grayson is stupid for doing what he did and will be piled on by just about everyone --- and probably rightfully so --- the last thing he needs is to be piled on by his support system.
That's just my take.
I'm not bashing either team, if I was off in my comparison then I can admit I was wrong. I enjoyed both teams along with every other team, win or lose. I enjoy life too much to get bent out of shape over the game. My main thinking in comparing the two teams is more so how the expectations before season started were so high, even though this team has plenty of time to reach their potential. Heck even the 2015 had lumps and some were throwing them under the bus as not a Final Four team.
One funny story from the end of the game: There was a break in the action with a few ticks left, K turns to the ref behind him and points his finger in his face and says in a mean tone, "I want you to tell Dave (I assume the head ref)-". Then he paused and smiled and said, "Merry Christmas." The ref had grabbed his whistle in anticipation of a technical foul then laughed and said Merry Christmas to K.
Clearly whatever punishment he received for the first two trips wasn't enough to learn from. He's a Dukie - I get it - but if he were on another team I wonder if you would feel okay if after two trips nothing we know of was done to him besides making him say sorry. If PJ tripped two players and Roy continued to play him, I think more people who support K's previous decisions would be more likely to say Roy is giving PJ a free pass. I understand that's speculative, but I'm just trying to be unbiased (I'm not saying you aren't).
I'm not against Grayson. He's a Duke player that gives everything he has every game and I want him to set a new career high every night he steps on the court. But I also want him to represent the program in a better way. And I want K to show everyone that behavior isn't tolerable at Duke.
Anyone catch my "very Harry Christmas" sign right before Giles made the free throw?
Thanks. He's my oldest. A true Duke blue fanatic. He's been beaming all day.
My wife and I saw it. That's cool that that was your boy. He will always remember that.
Boogie it was good meeting you at the game buddy! You have that picture we took?
Yes I do...send me a message with your info and I'll send it to you....Good meeting you as well
Just now seeing this. Sorry man was on vacation. How do I send a message on here? Or add me on Twitter @Skeelow22 and message me there.