No. Bolden just really likes UK. That's not to say he doesn't like Duke, but something different clicked for him with UK. That's ok. Duke isn't for everyone.
If Grayson Stays And We Add Bolden . . .
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No. Bolden just really likes UK. That's not to say he doesn't like Duke, but something different clicked for him with UK. That's ok. Duke isn't for everyone.
Next years freshman class is suppose to be MUCH better than this years freshman class. You hear this every few years, but next years class is suppose to be loaded and deep.
The only knock is that next years class doesn't have many true centers. Hence, why the #12 overall player is the #1 center
Take it for what it's worth, but Chad Ford recently said while talking on the Russilo Show, that 9-10freshman will get drafted in the 1st round this year. As many as 18-20 freshman will get drafted in the first round next year.
Amiles heart weighs 150 pounds more than Boldens, I'm good with Amile if I have to choose. Plus, Amile will be just what the doctor ordered to show the incoming freshmen how things run around here.
I wouldn't be shocked to see Giles with Jeter, with Amile coming off the bench and playing heavy minutes, along with Vrank backing up the 5 spot.
I honestly think it's Amile starting and it's not really close. Coach K will put value on the senior leadership and intangibles that Amile brings to the table. This is not a knock on Jeter at all because he will probably be greatly improved next season, but rather a realistic view of how important Amile will be for next year's team.
So out of curiousity, a player needs to start to have that importance? I love Amile, even a 5th year Amile, but if he's the primary 5, I'll be concerned.
I am not sure we would have many concerns next year. But in context of this discussion, I am not sure what you have seen from Jeter that makes you less concerned about him being the primary 5 than Amile. Obviously Jeter's size gives him the initial advantage, but Amile has the energy and desire. Something that Jeter can develop, but Amile already has.
I'm fine with Amile playing the 5, as long as a true 4 is out there with him.. I don't like Amile at the 5 with a 3 and three guards.
Amile will start. It would be shocking if he didn't.
Yeah, assuming everyone is healthy, it's hard to see Giles and Amile not starting all year. In which case, Bolden would be looking at coming off the bench, and we know K loves him some short bench. If our choice was really between Amile or Bolden, glad we have Amile. Although I'm curious if the staff will look at the grad transfer market, especially given the injuries to Giles and Amile...
If we get Bolden then I could maybe see him and Amile splitting time as the starting 5 based on game to game situation and whichever one didn't start would be first off the bench when the starter needs a short rest with Chase getting minutes when both Bolden and Amile need a short rest. I could also maybe see Amile playing some 4 with Bolden at the 5 when Giles needs a breather.
For what it's worth, one UK recruiting blogger (@NextCats) on Twitter is saying he is thinking Bolden is going to Duke from what he is hearing.
Amile was our go-to defender against 7' NPoY Frank Kaminsky. He will start. He will end. He will be effective as our center.
i think amile will do well against "finesse" centers like frank, it's the stronger powerful ones that concern me some.
In short doses, yes. I'm not comfortable using that as a scale to judge a full game on....
If Chase improves enough to start over a healthy Amile, Duke will be near unbeatable without other injuries. Amile might not be the ideal center, but if he is playing alongside Giles and Tatum, that is more than enough size up front. It is not like there are any 3rd and 4th year Ewings or Mournings around. Besides, if Chase improves enough to be considered as a starter, than opposing centers are going to have to deal with two fresh Duke centers who have 10 fouls to give and then maybe even still have some backup in Vrank. Not the least concerned.
I really don't understand why people are writing off Bolden like he isn't coming. Everything I read, it seems like it is 50/50 still.
If Bolden comes, he is our starting 5 (Amile will be pushing him to be great, and will probably start at some time since every freshman tends to struggle during ACC play.)
However, Amile returning definitely will ease the pain if we don't get Bolden.
If Vrank is seeing anything besides garbage-time minutes, than we are in big trouble. I do see Chase making a huge leap next season though and being one of the best backup bigs in the country.
If Bolden comes, he is our starting 5 (Amile will be pushing him to be great, and will probably start at some time since every freshman tends to struggle during ACC play.)
However, Amile returning definitely will ease the pain if we don't get Bolden.
If Vrank is seeing anything besides garbage-time minutes, than we are in big trouble. I do see Chase making a huge leap next season though and being one of the best backup bigs in the country.
The log jam at Kentucky is the reason Calipari is saying everyone is going to the enter the draft who is eligible! My opinion Cal is only doing this a desperation because he currently has way too many big's coming back that aren't projected to make the NBA. He is basically forcing players out the door to accommodate for the freshman class coming in.
Look at players like Marcus Lee no way is he ready for the NBA but the only way for him to keep consistently get one and dones to commit to his program is promise them this unlimited amount of playing time. With his projected roster next year he has to pull off some stunt to show future recruits they will have a play time available... Its absolutely killing the College game.
GO Duke
With that being said. I strongly feel Marques Bolden will choose the right situation for him and with the way Duke has being developing players. Why not come win a National Title with the best college coach in the game.
Look at players like Marcus Lee no way is he ready for the NBA but the only way for him to keep consistently get one and dones to commit to his program is promise them this unlimited amount of playing time. With his projected roster next year he has to pull off some stunt to show future recruits they will have a play time available... Its absolutely killing the College game.
GO Duke
With that being said. I strongly feel Marques Bolden will choose the right situation for him and with the way Duke has being developing players. Why not come win a National Title with the best college coach in the game.
If you don't feel comfortable with Amile at center then you haven't been watching. He will KILL it next year in the paint. Great defender, great rebounder and great vocal leader. Amile is pretty damn good defensively even against a bigger opponent . We're gonna be crazy stupid disgusting good next year.
You mean the last 3 years where he averaged 6 or less points a game, or the 9 games this year where he scored double digit points vs Siena, Bryant, Kentucky, utah state, and buffalo?
Solid role player, and no problem with him starting, but if you have no concerns, i'm not sure what you're watching?
I agree. It's mind boggling to me that people would rather have an unproven freshman at the 5 over a 5th year senior Amile. Hell Okafor was killing Duke in the Championship and Amile stepped in and played great defense... Bolden is no Okafor. Having Giles, Amile, and Tatum on the frontline provides a ton of length and athleticism.
I have been watching, and again, we only have small sample sizes of success. Unless the year with JP was a vision in my mind? LOL
Bolden is no Okafor, but he's MMMMUUUUUCHHHHHH closer than Amile will ever be. Amile isn't a 5, whether 18 years old or 23 years old. Can he defend the 5, and play in spurts? Absolutely. But if he, and not Jeter or Bolden, is carrying 25+ minutes at the 5 next year, Duke will struggle in the paint, particularly offensively.
And let me be clear - Amile is a beast, and I am glad he wears the Duke uni.
Who are these amazing true 5s in the college game he's going to be going up against? And they won't need Amile to be an offensive focal point. Rebound put backs and dunks will be more than enough from him. Giles and Tatum will be the inside scoring presence.
I do not want Bolden for the fact that we need a starting center. I want Bolden because it gives us more depth on the front line, something we rarely have. I don't care who starts, but Bolden or Amile coming off the bench, along with Chase, gives Vrank another year of development. There is no way Vrank should be getting minutes on a National Title Favorite.
It's rebounding. My biggest concern playing amile big minutes at the 5 is no rim protection. It will be very easy to finish at the rim when players drive.
Who are these 5's? Last I checked, 2 started against each other last year in the title game? Am I crazy? And yes Amile defended frank some, but had he been the 5 all game, Duke wouldn't have won.
Amile is 6'9 with a long wingspan ..
Giles is what 6'9 to 6'10 and also long
Tatum is what 6'8 to 6'9 and also long
Jeter is 6'10
I guess I just don't see the problem. Okafor was not a good defender, rim protector or rebounder.
Look I'd also like to have Bolden, but I won't be the least bit concerned if they don't land him.
Giles is what 6'9 to 6'10 and also long
Tatum is what 6'8 to 6'9 and also long
Jeter is 6'10
I guess I just don't see the problem. Okafor was not a good defender, rim protector or rebounder.
Look I'd also like to have Bolden, but I won't be the least bit concerned if they don't land him.
I'm not concerned with Giles or Jeter at the 5. I am with Amile OVER THE LONG HAUL. Time will tell. Hope I'm wrong.
Whoever plays the five will have to deal with Kennedy "Big Mac" Meeks next season.
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(1) Not sure how you could possible say that; (2) To the extent we were hurt by Okafor not being on the court (which is a very debatable proposition that night), it was because our half-court offense was built around Okafor's play in the post -- not b/c Okafor was a particularly invaluable defensive player. On next year's team, Giles / Tatum / and whoever else we have at the guard position will be the primary creators. We won't need to have the 5 be an offensive juggernaut; (3) people continue to improve as they age. Amile was 6.5 / 7 guy as a soph. in about 22 min/per and 6 / 6 guy in about 21 minutes a night as a jr. This year, he was averaging 11 & 10 and went 16 & 15 against UK and 8, 11, 3 blocks, and 8 assists, against IU --- both of whom are high-level teams with pretty solid big guys. Against, IU, particularly, Jefferson played 15-20 minutes at the 5 -- and the same holds true in some of other early games, including VCU.
I'm just not concerned about Amile as the starting 5, with Chase available as his backup.
Did you read Show's post, or is your reading comprehension that bad? Show said nothing concerning Amile's offensive output.
Jahlil was not a good defender. He still isn't. Now, he was big and could take up a lot of space, which certainly has its advantages....but he wasn't close to being the best post defender we had last season. That was Amile.
The makeup of next season's team will be entirely different than our 2015 version. That team had a dynamic college point guard and one of best post scorers the college game has had in the last decade. We won't have either of those next season whether it's Amile or Bolden playing in the middle. The difference next season is the potential of having extremely dynamic wing players in potentially Grayson, Luke and Tatum. Even Giles is capable of stepping out to 18 feet and facing up. Our length will be better than we've had in ages.
So no, Amile isn't going to be a 16 & 10 guy. Not even close. Something like eight and seven, great defender, leader and captain? Yes...very capable.
We gotta start "Pops."Despite the injury he will have SO MUCH confidence considering the numbers he was posting when he went down...
I dont think his intangibles of leadership and guidance can be reiterated enough as well. If you watch Amile on the bench now, he's so engaged in the game as well...I think he's likely learned just watching from the sidelines, and his mental approach to the game will be even more keen next year!
Yes.
I'm torn.
I'd like to have Bolden, but I REALLY want Bamba.
Are we sure Bamba would look elsewhere? Perhaps K is confident Bolden will be one and done.
So you're saying Duke would have beaten Wisconsin with Amile carrying a bulk of the minutes at the 5? Wow.
And citing Jeffersons stats this season means very little, because:
- he wasn't playing the 5 (he had a 7 foot, 250lb guy playing next to him)
- UK bigs are pretty bad (we saw that just last weekend)
- IU's Bryant was still on a learning curve against Duke in DECEMBER
1. You don't whether Duke would have won or not. You think you do. There's a difference between thinking and knowing.
2. Marshall played 24mpg the first nine games of the season. That means Amile was playing about 14-16mpg at the five. He was doing quite well. To assume he can't absorb 10-12 more mpg and have Jeter as his backup doesn't seem that far-fetched.
3. Basically, what you're saying is Amile deserves no credit for when he plays well and that it's because the other teams bigs suck. That makes zero sense.
Amile was overmatched as a sophomore playing the five. By the beginning of next season that will have been three years ago.
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