It's official
- Thread starter QC Dukie
- Start date
How sweet it would be for his uncle to watch us win number 6 next year.
OFC
OFC
I guess I just don't get that logic at all. He had a time table? That's cool, but you have to perform. He could have easily dominated in his 26 mpg and gone first round. He didn't....so he won't get drafted at this point in his career.
IDK, K put the ball in his hands but at a certain point, K wanted to win ball games. If DT thought he should have the ball over GA or BI....well...we all saw DT dribble off his foot vs. Oregon.
I like DT and wished he would have stayed, but his unhappiness with how K used him (if that's true) wreaks of utter entitlement. He was given an opportunity and didn't earn anything.
IDK, K put the ball in his hands but at a certain point, K wanted to win ball games. If DT thought he should have the ball over GA or BI....well...we all saw DT dribble off his foot vs. Oregon.
I like DT and wished he would have stayed, but his unhappiness with how K used him (if that's true) wreaks of utter entitlement. He was given an opportunity and didn't earn anything.
The entitlement generation of basketball recruits is upon us. Transfers used to be rare - now they seem to be common place if your choice of school doesnt work out in your favor even after one season.
The thing that bothers me is the much ballyhooed "request" of DT's handlers (father, uncle, and God knows who else) for him to be red-shirted last year. If K was always going to give him meaningful minutes, and that wasn't the preferred course of action for your son, then why come to Duke? When you hear about kids being manipulated like this by their "people," it is infuriating.
yeah- I mean I can understand why players that didn't receive much PT would transfer in order to try to better their chances for the next level (if that's why DT is leaving, as suggested by DH). IE if players are worried they're ever going to get minutes, then they leave like Mike G, etc.
But DT was getting 26 mpg as a freshman, and started quite a few games. But that wasn't enough? Again, I realize I'm being presumptious for his reasons for leaving- they could be entirely non basketball related. But basketball wise, if 26 mpg isn't enough and you're upset how the coach is using you....well IDK. IMO you should hit the gym and work on your game. You played PG as a true freshman (when you were supposed to be doing your 5th year of HS) and
Did Thornton want 40 mpg? Or 20 shots a game? I get that it's different when it's your son, but anyone could see that DT was a freshman and the game was moving way too fast for him. This just seems a little bit different- kid was given opportunities and still wants to move on. I wish him the best, but it seems kind of weird. I wonder if K promised him the absolute world and 20 shots per game or something, ha (i'm sure he didn't)
But DT was getting 26 mpg as a freshman, and started quite a few games. But that wasn't enough? Again, I realize I'm being presumptious for his reasons for leaving- they could be entirely non basketball related. But basketball wise, if 26 mpg isn't enough and you're upset how the coach is using you....well IDK. IMO you should hit the gym and work on your game. You played PG as a true freshman (when you were supposed to be doing your 5th year of HS) and
Did Thornton want 40 mpg? Or 20 shots a game? I get that it's different when it's your son, but anyone could see that DT was a freshman and the game was moving way too fast for him. This just seems a little bit different- kid was given opportunities and still wants to move on. I wish him the best, but it seems kind of weird. I wonder if K promised him the absolute world and 20 shots per game or something, ha (i'm sure he didn't)
Why would they want to redshirt him exactly? If his goal is to get to the league, why not try to get up to speed as quickly as possible, so you have more college experience when you head to the draft? Obviously Duke needed a pg and could give Thornton meaningful minutes as a freshman...which he got..
In other news: two Michigan State players are transferring. Man, that Izzo must be a terrible guy to have not one, but TWO players leave his program...
No one is saying K is a terrible guy BTW- if anything most are defending Duke & the staff. They gave Thornton serious minutes for a freshman PG
A disagreement in the way he was used, that's all. They felt lied to and are defending their son, #nephew, whatever he may be to whoever wants to talk. I don't blame them for that, and it's really no different from how players are using the college game at this point.
NCAA basketball is AA minor league ball basically. NBDL is AAA. What can you do for me and how quickly can you get me where I want to be. They wanted a style Duke was not ready to just hand over and it wasn't a good fit. Duke didn't fit DT and DT didn't fit Duke. It will be a mutual split that both sides will be able to move on from. Some school out west (USC, Long Beach) will give him what he wants and for his sake, I hope so.
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This is a reasonable take. It's just speculation to take it any further.
I didn't really like Duke as a freshman. I thought everyone was pretentious and the classes boring. Turns out I was just immature and a city public school kid in over my head. I was a small fish for the first time in my life and it was painful. By the time I was a junior, I had identified some great friends and figured out how to make good grades in a competitive atmosphere. I grew up and rose to the challenge. I was hoping Derryck would do the same, a la Quinn, but he didn't want to see it through. I almost transferred back home too. I don't think less of DT for his decision. I just hope he's not getting bad advice from someone who has no clue about Duke or K. Good luck Derryck. I hope you grow into a beast of a player and a good man.
Fair enough- I guess I just don't see how that would transpire, but I'm also a duke fan and biased towards our program. Maybe K gave him an absolute guarentee he'd play 40 mpg and run a minimum of 10 high ball screens for him per game. To me it just wasn't disputable, DT wasn't ready for the stage to be given that kind of freedom. When he was given freedom, he had trouble finishing in the lane, creating for others, and killing our offense with ill advised shot selection. Giving the ball to BI and GA was our best chance to win- if he honestly thought he was a better option than I wish him well, but it's plain as day to me.
But yeah, maybe it just wasn't a good fit for him and I don't blame a kid for seeking a better situation. Just basketball wise, I don't see how he could have gotten a whole lot more anywhere else, to be honest, unless he went to a school that didn't make the sweet 16. He was definitely a quality defender, but really needed development on the offensive end. Definitely makes you appreciate players that are willing to stick it out. I just don't remember seeing a transfer from duke who played this many minutes- usually it's seemed to be a PT thing with Gbinijie, etc. though elliot played a fair amount
For Derryck's sake, I really hope he isn't taking advice from his "uncle": https://twitter.com/MEdwardsBball
This clown isn't doing him any favors.
This clown isn't doing him any favors.
Good luck to Derryck. I hope he's able to find what he's looking for and more. He's a good kid.
DT will be a really good player at this level. He showed flashes of what he could do. He just was not ready for this level yet. Hell he should have been playing in the McDonalds all American beside Frank the Tank a month ago. But I believe the experience he had this year will prepare him for the future and he will have a stellar career in college and Possibly at the next level also. He will be sorely missed next year at Duke and now Duke has to develop a point guard from another freshman or Grayson next year and I hope to God this does not become the thorn in Dukes side next year with all the players they have coming in and staying. PG is the most important position in college BB today.
I liked DT and thought he could really be good in a year or two. I mean most freshman don't start at PG from day one. 7 pts a game is very solid when you consider he's the 4th option at best. Early in the year his shot was falling from 3 and midrange. It stopped in ACC play. That's not unusual. Reality is that if he isn't willing to compete for playing time and work hard to improve in areas, then best of luck to him where he lands. I don't know if Jackson would start over him next year, or if he starts, or if Allen runs PG.... I am pretty sure though if he worked hard he would get minutes next year and come his JR year be in the drivers seat. Just for arguments sake lets assume we lose Tatum, Giles, Allen, Jefferson, and Jones to the draft or graduation. That would leave Thorton, Jackson, Kennard, Jeter, Bolden(if he comes) White, Vrank, and whoever we get in 17 class. Pretty sure that Jeter would be one of the go to guys on that team if he worked hard...like say Nolan Smith or Quinn Cook who both played less as freshman. Just my opinion though and like I said, if the kid doesn't want to wait or put in the work, best of luck.
Good luck to Thornton where ever he ends up. Thank you for the one year at Duke.
Now his uncle... dude had no business going to Twitter talking trash like that. But that just shows who is "pulling the strings" for Thornton. I hope the family doesn't destroy any future opportunity for the kid. Thornton got a lot of minutes for a freshman pg at Duke. He didn't perform at an elite level either. I think his family had unrealistic expectations for him. He is not a one and done, 2 and done, or even 3 and done player in my opinion.
Now his uncle... dude had no business going to Twitter talking trash like that. But that just shows who is "pulling the strings" for Thornton. I hope the family doesn't destroy any future opportunity for the kid. Thornton got a lot of minutes for a freshman pg at Duke. He didn't perform at an elite level either. I think his family had unrealistic expectations for him. He is not a one and done, 2 and done, or even 3 and done player in my opinion.