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Favorite 5 Duke Players of All Time...

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dbav

All-American
Mar 14, 2014
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I thought this might be good to generate some discussion in the offseason. I know it is hard to pin it down to 5, but that's what I'm asking. So here goes:

1. Bobby Hurley
2. J.J. Redick
3. Luol Deng
4. DeMarcus Nelson
5. Daniel Ewing

Tyus and Singler just missed out. I started watching Duke basketball when I was about 10 which was when the '91-'92 teams were playing. I love those pass first point guards and Bobby was the best of all time. Also liked those players that could do a lot like Deng and Nelson. I'd be interested to hear see the names from the old school and the new school.
 
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Dattier

All-American
Sep 1, 2003
9,374
5,634
0
chronologically: JD, Battier, JJ, Nolan, Quinn
I first became aware of college basketball around the time JD and co arrived, and watched them put Duke (back) on the map.
Shane is just my all-time fave, period, for his developmental arc, class, and what he accomplished.
JJ's first 2 pudgy years created somewhat of a redemption angle for him, and while he brought some grief upon himself, I always thought it was way, way out of proportion to anything he deserved.
Nolan marks the beginning of a real change in recruiting success, and he is "everyman" -- personable, tough, gregarious...
Quinn was one of my least favorites for 3 years, so his maturity and humility his senior year is another redemption story.

Ask me tomorrow and I'll have a different 3 or 4 around Shane and maybe JJ.
 
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Mac9192

Heisman
Jan 25, 2017
9,128
12,935
107
Laettner, G Hill, Grayson, Battier, and Tyus. Wish Tyus would have hung around a while longer but he was a stone cold killer for that 1 year. Grayson for all he's been through and to come back his senior year. Laettner is the greatest Dukie of all time, Battier a close second.
 
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germantondevil

All-Conference
Mar 12, 2006
3,178
1,393
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Laettner-hated by most outside of Duke. Loved by most inside.

Grant Hill-What Duke is all about IMO

Shane Battier-Same as Grant

Bobby Hurley-can't say enough about his heart

Mike Gminski and Gene Banks-They are the ones that hooked me into watching Duke BB
 
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dukiejay

Heisman
Mar 2, 2005
11,293
16,311
0
I hate these lists. Almost impossible for me....and I'm still relatively young compared to the OFC so Laettner is as far back as I go.

1 - Laettner....just not sure he could ever be topped. The only player I think that could have topped him is maybe Tyus had be stuck around long enough. I know Duke's program is defined by more than one coach or one player....but if it was one player, this would be it. I feel bad for the young guys on this board who didn't get to watch him. It was special.

2 - Battier....just love everything about him. How he played on the court and still acts off of it to this day. Plus, he's the only Duke player I've ever shotgunned a beer with....that happened at the team hotel in Minneapolis following the win over Arizona.

3 - J.J....I think I've told the story of how the loss to LSU in 2006 gave me a little perspective. It's the hardest Duke loss as a fan I've ever dealt with....but it also made me realize I need to enjoy basketball a little more rather than get so worked up. There's never been a player I wanted to be a national champion more than J.J.

4 - Tyus....absolutely love this kid. He's a stone-cold winner, and like I said, had he stuck around a few more years there's no doubt in my mind he's higher on this list. The Minnesota connection plays a part too.

5 - Grayson....this isn't because he's returning, it's not because he's hated and it's not because I feel sorry for him....I just love the kid. He's had his issues and he's owned them, but this kid is all about Duke. He made it all about Duke going into his senior year of high school. He also broke away from his smokeshow girlfriend/acquaintance at the Washington Duke last year after hitting the game winner against UVA to take a picture with me.

Guys I hate leaving off this list include Jon Scheyer, "The People's Champion" Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler, Quinn Cook, Shelden Williams, Grant Hill, Bobby Hurley and Trajan Langdon, among others.
 
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C

Clay Clay 4

Redshirt
Apr 14, 2016
41
31
0
1. JJ
2. Hurley
3. Dunleavy
4.Thomas Hill
5. Wojo
Honorable Mention: Winslow, Grayson, Langdon(still hurts he didn't get a shot off) Carrawell, Scheyer
 
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HeLooks2MuchLikeDave

All-Conference
Dec 1, 2010
2,458
2,151
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Clay Clay 4 said:
1. JJ
2. Hurley
3. Dunleavy
4.Thomas Hill
5. Wojo
Honorable Mention: Winslow, Grayson, Langdon(still hurts he didn't get a shot off) Carrawell, Scheyer
Click to expand...
You might be the first person to list Thomas Hill over Grant Hill. Poor Grant didn't even make your honorable mention!

Battier
Brand
G. Hill
Redick
J-Will

In no particular order (other than alphabetical)
 
Lavar5150

Lavar5150

Senior
Oct 17, 2001
592
641
63
dbav said:
I thought this might be good to generate some discussion in the offseason. I know it is hard to pin it down to 5, but that's what I'm asking. So here goes:

1. Bobby Hurley
2. J.J. Redick
3. Luol Deng
4. DeMarcus Nelson
5. Daniel Ewing

Tyus just missed out. I started watching Duke basketball when I was about 10 which was when the '91-'92 teams were playing. I love those pass first point guards and Bobby was the best of all time. Also liked those players that could do a lot like Deng and Nelson. I'd be interested to hear see the names from the old school and the new school.
Click to expand...
1) JJ Redick
2) Grayson Allen
3) Bobby Hurley
4) Jay Williams
5) Christian Laettner
 
C

Clay Clay 4

Redshirt
Apr 14, 2016
41
31
0
HeLooks2MuchLikeDave said:
You might be the first person to list Thomas Hill over Grant Hill. Poor Grant didn't even make your honorable mention!

Battier
Brand
G. Hill
Redick
J-Will

In no particular order (other than alphabetical)
Click to expand...

I loved Grant, and I think he is Top 5 greatest Duke players of all time but just not one of my personal favorites. In my top 15 favorite though.
 
T

timo0402

Heisman
Feb 24, 2009
13,868
13,709
57
This is impossible and I'm sure I picked five other times while on this board that were different than this list.

JJ is my favorite player. I'm a shooter and we are the same age. Was living vicariously through him haha. People forget he was the MVP of the McDonald's all American game at msg. Dude was burying threes from five plus feet out from the NBA line.

Trajan Langdon- same reason as JJ, pure as can be shooter. Was in Cameron when he lit up unc.

Bobby Hurley, Grant Hill, Shane, Jason Williams would round out my six. Can't pick from them. Insane that I don't have Christian on there- or tyus, Quinn, Shelden, loved Jabari etc.
 
pisgah101

pisgah101

Heisman
Dec 26, 2005
15,242
12,783
113
1.JJ- Grayson has a year left I never thought JJ would get bumped but it could happen

2.Grayson- DJ kinda summed it up I just love him. All of him he fights like heck and his dream was DUKE and he's living it

3. Justice- he was a freak and could do it all

4. Battier- what can you say?

5-Singler,smith,Schyer run together
 
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D

DiehardDukeFan4Life

All-Conference
Jan 20, 2011
5,963
3,524
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I'm cheating a little and listing 6 players because it's a tie between Bobby Hurley and Grant Hill for my favorite Duke player

1a) Hurley
1b) G Hill
2) Redick
3) Battier
4) Wojo
5) Singler
 
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LouisiAaron

All-Conference
Feb 15, 2017
2,305
1,069
3
Shane Battier
Grant Hill
JJ Redick
Nolan Smith
JAY WILLIAMS

I like Laettner and Sheldon WIlliams also
 
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GillJET

Senior
Dec 10, 2016
782
801
0
1. Jay Williams
2. J.J. Redick
3. Shane Battier
4. Jahlil Okafor
Justise Winslow
Tyus Jones
 
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TheDude1

Heisman
Apr 15, 2010
8,726
11,199
0
Shane Battier is the ULTIMATE Duke student-athlete.

Grant Hill is, too.





Big gap.

Then... hm. Bobby is up there. Tyus Jones is up there. JWill is up there. The trio of Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler, and Nolan Smith are up there.

I think, if I had to pick five, I'd go...

Battier
Hill
Scheyer
Smith
Singler


That would likely be my group. I appreciate Christian, but he always struck me as a prick, and I just don't get affectionate for that type of person.
 
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bfort2223

Sophomore
Dec 4, 2009
200
111
0
No particular order...

Scheyer
Brand
Battier
Tyus
G Hill

Sixth Man: Ingram (not exactly sure why on this one...I think I like how he plays stronger than what his appearance might indicate...gonna be a very good pro, I believe)
 
L

Laettshow

Junior
Mar 26, 2017
259
274
0
In order
1) JJ Redick ( Loved how embraced the hate he got and was so deadly behind the arc)
2) Christian Laettner ( to much to list but imo goat)
3)Jay Williams ( my all time fav until he became a announcer)
4) Trajan Langdon ( loved his all around game and thought he was a class act)
5) Tyus Jones ( the ride he took us on was unbelievable)

:) Sixth Man) Shane Battier ( Nothing he couldn't or wouldn't do)

Honorable mention in no order- Dunleavy, Brand, Gerald Henderson, Hurley, G.Hill, Nolan, Duhon.
 
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D

Dattier

All-American
Sep 1, 2003
9,374
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TheDude1 said:
I appreciate Christian, but he always struck me as a prick, and I just don't get affectionate for that type of person.
Click to expand...
Same here. If this were asking about the GREATEST Duke players of all time, he'd be #1, but if it's favorite, the guys on my list are going to have some sentimental reason connected to them.

Speaking of which, I've been impressed at how few of these lists have looked like anyone's ideal line-up or just the greatest players at each position, etc. Nice rule followers we got here.
 
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CatcherForLife6

Sophomore
Apr 8, 2002
3,289
192
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JJ Redick
Jay Will (agree with Laettshow, he used to be my fav until he because an announcer)
Grant Hill
Tyus Jones
Quinn Cook

Honorable mention- Laettner, Battier, Hurley, Duhon, Nolan Smith, Jon Scheyer, Grayson Allen, Justise Winslow
 
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Liftee

All-American
Mar 6, 2011
3,199
5,513
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1. Scheyer.
2. Brickey
3. Gary Melchionni
4. Singler
5.Winslow

Hon mention: Grayson, Nolan Smith, JJ
 
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TheDude1

Heisman
Apr 15, 2010
8,726
11,199
0
I know this sounds jerkish, what with this being an opinion thing, and about favorites, but I don't get how anyone can make a list without Grant and Shane on it. I just don't get it. Not only all time talent, but modesty and humility and intelligence and grit and all of it.
 
I

IPSYCHOSIS

All-Conference
Dec 22, 2016
4,095
1,828
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Only because I'm young I'm not going to name the obvious ones that I didn't get to see ..
But
1. J J Redick
2 Jay Williams
3. Shane battier
4. Jalil okafor
5. Tyus Jones
Probally could flip a coin between 1 and 2 .. Kyrie just missed the list had it not been for his injury..Cook was close .smith not impressive until his last year..singler was hard to leave off..Allen could move to the list if we win it this coming year..Duval also lol..excited
 
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IPSYCHOSIS

All-Conference
Dec 22, 2016
4,095
1,828
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CatcherForLife6 said:
JJ Redick
Jay Will (agree with Laettshow, he used to be my fav until he because an announcer)
Grant Hill
Tyus Jones
Quinn Cook

Honorable mention- Laettner, Battier, Hurley, Duhon, Nolan Smith, Jon Scheyer, Grayson Allen, Justise Winslow
Click to expand...
Jay Williams is realllyyy close to being forgotten by me ..as hard as that sounds.its hard to forget him in pick and roll/pops just killing people...his announcing is tearing me apart..hey!!!!! Where's jay bilas !! Who's going to man up and put him on this list! Lmao we need to do a top 5 most hated dukies of all time..by (us) Duke fans ..not by opposing teams ..i know i know we love everybody ...but for fun..jay bilas would be at the top on mine lmao
 
D

Dattier

All-American
Sep 1, 2003
9,374
5,634
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TheDude1 said:
I know this sounds jerkish, what with this being an opinion thing, and about favorites, but I don't get how anyone can make a list without Grant and Shane on it. I just don't get it. Not only all time talent, but modesty and humility and intelligence and grit and all of it.
Click to expand...
I don't know... I didn't include Grant, but Shane would be my #1 if I did this list 20 times.

Maybe they're almost so perfect we can't relate to them so much? Quinn's career arc, for example, involved 3 years of inconsistent play, frustration, and not a single championship of any kind, then he becomes the mature and rock solid senior leader on a national champion.
 
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