Joey Baker

[AlanInNJ]

I trust in K that there’s no way this was a knee jerk decision. One thing nobody mentioned is that maybe Jack was feeling a lot of pressure. He sure looks uncomfortable shooting the ball. Maybe having Baker available takes some pressure off Jack and let’s him be himself.

My only non-positive thought is that I wonder what the rotation looks like come Tourney time. Is this the year K goes 8 deep? I think like many here I would like to see it. But K is K. Time will tell.

 

[dbav]

Why are some assuming K is pissed at White? I don't think that would be the case at all. His work rate is good, he just doesn't have it right now. Perhaps a game off for a mental break is what he needs. To do that doesn't require the coach being angry at him.

 

[tate12]

I don't think K is pissed at White but just that since White went into his shooting slump, his all-around game has suffered also. I admit that I was disappointed that Baker killed his RS but, if he truly did ask K about playing after the Louisville game then I completely understand. No matter what, I am sure that Joey and his family were in agreement with this decision and that he will be getting some minutes and contributing the rest of the season.

 

[HuffyJB]

Why are some assuming K is pissed at White? I don't think that would be the case at all. His work rate is good, he just doesn't have it right now. Perhaps a game off for a mental break is what he needs. To do that doesn't require the coach being angry at him.

Yeah, I agree that "angry" isn't the right word. It is just that White isn't currently doing anything that warrants him getting minutes. Hopefully he'll shake off this funk.

 

[Mac9192]

Are people saying K is pissed at White? I’d say he’s definitely disappointed in his play. I find it hard to believe had White been playing better that he would have inserted Baker into the rotation.
Not so sure how much Zion’s injury had to do with it, but White’s play has been regressing for a while now, and we need shooters.

RJ and Alex accounted for 55 of our 75. Alex, not Cam or Tre. Cam and Tre totaled 16.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

You guys are reading way too much into this (about Jack) or you’re suffering memory loss lol... this kind of stuff is classic Coach K.

I remember Andre Dawkin’s last year with duke he was averaging like 20mpg and then the last 3 games of the year + tournament he played like 5 minutes each game. Josh Hairston, Chase Jeter, David McClure — All went through similar situations. Matt Jones, little defensive-minded wing that could bang 3’s we had on the ‘15 champ team... Averaged like 30+mpg both his junior and senior season. There was like a random 2 game spurt in the middle of his season year that he played like 10 mins.

Crazy thing is that he may turn around next game and play 30 minutes or 10 or not at all.

 

[dbav]

Perhaps it's just how I interpret what's some are saying. When I see the "message sent" verbiage, it immediately makes me think it's something disciplinary. I have no reason to think that.

If the message is that he needs a break to figure things out (as often happens in baseball), then that makes more sense to me. But I take "message sent" to be more harsh then giving the kid a game to get his head right.

 

[SoCal_Dukie3]

This was thought out - if any of you think K decided to do this without talking it through, thoroughly, with the Baker camp well, you’re crazy.

 

[NCTyger]

This was thought out - if any of you think K decided to do this without talking it through, thoroughly, with the Baker camp well, you’re crazy.

Thank you.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

This was thought out - if any of you think K decided to do this without talking it through, thoroughly, with the Baker camp well, you’re crazy.

I don’t think anyone thinks K just pulled this out of his back pocket 6 minutes into the game. It’s obviously planned. Everyone’s question is “why?” — Which leads to a million different speculations.

 

[sheyduke]

I got it now K is sending the message to White that it’s ,” All hands on deck!”

I don’t think K is mad with White but just maybe he can’t figure out how to get White out of his funk.

I hope K goes eight deep. Read an article where Zion told K he wanted to be with his guys on the side line. How great of a kid is Zion. I mean I even overlooked the fact that Baker might have even wanted to step up in the absence of Zion so he don’t rush back. How fortunate are we to see a generational talent that truly cares about more then himself and is the example of a true team mate

 

[Showenuff]

Wow, what a panicky bunch. Baker ASKED to drop the Redshirt, K didn’t make him drop it this late into a season. Anyone actually watched Baker this season? His attitude is off the charts good, pumping up his team mates and supporting his team. And yes, he does have a great shot, it will take a lil live game time to get him rolling but it’s coming. Relax men, everybody’s so jumpy. Enjoy the ride, it’s just another gun added to the arsenal. Breathe.

 

[Laettner15]

Wow, what a panicky bunch. Baker ASKED to drop the Redshirt, K didn’t make him drop it this late into a season. Anyone actually watched Baker this season? His attitude is off the charts good, pumping up his team mates and supporting his team. And yes, he does have a great shot, it will take a lil live game time to get him rolling but it’s coming. Relax men, everybody’s so jumpy. Enjoy the ride, it’s just another gun added to the arsenal. Breathe.

THANK YOU!!!!

And once again yes the caps were necessary

 

[Dattier]

K has been coaching for over 40 years. I’m actually pretty shocked you think he made this move without having a reason other than Zion was hurt for a game or two and Joey offered himself up. I really am.

Yep. When someone first mentioned Joey's possibly playing before the game, it was a wild haymaker type guess and I rolled my eyes. Broken squirrel finding the right time twice a day, it happened, and I was bothered, particularly in light of how easily Zion was moving on the bench and how little Joey played.

But my thinking has evolved since then. Just like Zion's parents' being called to the lockerroom indicated it was a more complicated issue than Zion's saying, "I'm playing!" or "K's saying, "You're finished, son!" removing Joey's redshirt was neither some cold, military decision nor an emotional, "Pick me out a new bat, Billy!" K has seen enough to know Joey can contribute, including moving forward, and Joey and his family understand this is a declaration that he will only be here 3 more years max.

It also doesn't come with a guarantee that he'll play the rest of the season. If this game represented a final, permanent emergence for Alex, he might lock down the 6th man role for when Zion returns, leaving little room for Joey (and Jack). If Alex becomes a threat from the arc and to go for double-figures off the bench and that squeezes Joey and Jack, so be it. What's best for the team doesn't always align with what we wish for individual players.

At 6'7", 200#, Joey is almost exactly RJ's size and splits the difference between Alex and Cam. If Jack is still slumping when Zion returns, he gives us a better strength option than Alex and a better 3-pt threat than Jack. There's a lot of potential for him to find a niche.

 

[Duke Blu]

Because at Duke, it’s not okay to lose games and K is doing everything he can to win each game, presently and in the future. Jack was thought to be a necessary contributor off the bench this year. Key word is necessary. Jack isn’t performing folks and we don’t know if he will return to early season form. Better to bring Joey along now then to get into the tourney and have NO OPTIONS if Jack or even Alex aren’t performing well. Hopefully Alex is getting ready to play as anticipated before the season. He has the potential to be the best shooter on the team

 

[BlueDaveil]

If you watch Baker’s minutes in the game last night he is talking A TON, more than anyone else I noticed on the floor. This is obviously easier when you just come in and haven’t been playing every minute of every game but I think it’s a good sign. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s been soaking everything in and imagining what he would do to help if he was on the floor all year. According to K he has been playing extremely well in practices and is the best shooter along with Alex. I think he may have more upside than Alex on the defensive end based on the short minutes we saw last night. If he can play D and hit 40% from deep I’d say it was well worth his redshirt.

 

[sheyduke]

If you watch Baker’s minutes in the game last night he is talking A TON, more than anyone else I noticed on the floor. This is obviously easier when you just come in and haven’t been playing every minute of every game but I think it’s a good sign. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s been soaking everything in and imagining what he would do to help if he was on the floor all year. According to K he has been playing extremely well in practices and is the best shooter along with Alex. I think he may have more upside than Alex on the defensive end based on the short minutes we saw last night. If he can play D and hit 40% from deep I’d say it was well worth his redshirt.

I can agree with this but it remains to be seen

 

[Mpm277]

Wow, what a panicky bunch. Baker ASKED to drop the Redshirt, K didn’t make him drop it this late into a season. Anyone actually watched Baker this season? His attitude is off the charts good, pumping up his team mates and supporting his team. And yes, he does have a great shot, it will take a lil live game time to get him rolling but it’s coming. Relax men, everybody’s so jumpy. Enjoy the ride, it’s just another gun added to the arsenal. Breathe.

I don't think K pulled the redshirt at random. Joey was featured warming up with the team in the video before the game on the teams Twitter when (I think?) you don't usually see him. But saying that Joey asked to drop the redshirt - is that just speculation or do you have a source for that? Honestly asking. If I'm the one speculating, I can see the coaching staff asking Baker if he'd like to drop it because the team needs him right now.

 

[SoCal_Dukie3]

I don’t think anyone thinks K just pulled this out of his back pocket 6 minutes into the game. It’s obviously planned. Everyone’s question is “why?” — Which leads to a million different speculations.

Reading some of these, as well as on other boards, I’m fully convinced some think this was a quick-trigger move.

 

[SoCal_Dukie3]

Wow, what a panicky bunch. Baker ASKED to drop the Redshirt, K didn’t make him drop it this late into a season. Anyone actually watched Baker this season? His attitude is off the charts good, pumping up his team mates and supporting his team. And yes, he does have a great shot, it will take a lil live game time to get him rolling but it’s coming. Relax men, everybody’s so jumpy. Enjoy the ride, it’s just another gun added to the arsenal. Breathe.

Paranoia out the arse on this topic....this and “Zion is never playing for Duke again”.

 

[1156jack]

Baker will make some key pays as the season progresses and will be one of the captains next year....

 

[sheyduke]

Baker will make some key pays as the season progresses and will be one of the captains next year....

There is four games left in the season before the post season. There isn’t much more to the season progressing it is the end of February.

I trust he won’t be over a Senior Javin or White or especially should Tre return. I like the kids reaction on the bench through the season. We will see the next four games. I do think he is another option on defense against Cam Johnson do to his length.

 

[shicashicu]

Some of the things people post make me think they just aren't that bright or are 12 years old.

My goodness, do you think K just all of a sudden up and surprised Joey, the team and his family by throwing into the game cause he thought this was a must win game, or because Zion isn't coming back? And is someone truly gonna sit here and say, because he only played a few mins when Zion is out, that he will not be used again and K burned his redshirt just to give him a couple mins vs Cuse in the regular season...really?!

As freaking pumped up and animated as Joey has been on the bench all season long, and as good of a shooter as he is supposed to be, do you really think he hasn't been pushing to help the team right now being that what he does best is the one thing the team does worst??

Of course it was a shock to every true Duke fan to see him come into the game, but that's simply cause we were under the impression that he would redshirt and that it was set in stone. Things change, the game and seasons ebb and flow continuously and the coaching staff must know when to ebb and flow with it and it was obvious to anyone with eyes, that we needed another shooter and holding Joey out until next year does no good for the prospects of winning a Title RIGHT NOW. Thus, the decision to go all in RIGHT NOW.

I get that a message board is to speculate and discuss all points of view, but some of you guys seriously act like big decisions that coach makes have been made with absolutely no thought of the things that you are bringing up and it can be quite baffling to read.

Baker could help us win a Title with his shooting or he may not, but never knowing and holding onto him with the great possibility that we won't have another RJ Barrett or Zion Wiiliamson, isn't gonna do anyone any good and this decision was obviously finalized just recently by Joey, his family and our coaching staff, hence the late season redshirt burning. It's pretty simple actually.

 

[christophero]

Teams like these don't come around very often. This increases our odds at a title and gives us another shooter.

 

[df64]

How cool would it be if Joey Baker turned out to be this years version of Grayson 2015!

 

[SwatX1]

How cool would it be if Joey Baker turned out to be this years version of Grayson 2015!

Mega!!!

 

[9dukejames]

Mega!!!

I think that is a big reason UK and by UNC fans are so salty about the staff and Baker's choice. All year long, they have pointed toward lack of depth and lack of shooting as Duke's demise. A strategic choice is made by staff and Joey to optimize the team's chance of winning the ship and they don't like it. I think it should have been done sooner but they were hoping White would pull out of his slump. Soon it will be time to win or go home. Work Baker in slowly and he could be an important part of the rotation in the big Dance. He was never going to be a five year player IMO, just not ready from the getgo.

 

[christophero]

If Baker starts dropping 3's I'm gonna nickname him "the Missing Piece." Or "the Antidote."

 

[df64]

It is probably a combination of things. Early plan to red shirt was based on higher expectations for Jack and Alex overall level of play and at least a little better shooting from Tre and Cam while Joey was not up to speed and was being eased along.

2/3 way through the year, Jack in mind boggling slump, Alex inconsistent with shot and still often lost on D, Cam unpredictably inconsistent from 3 and the rest of his game on O, Tre way worse from 3 than most would have imagined. This we have all seen. What we haven't seen is Joey in practice. If he has steadily improved and is playing as well or better in practice than Jack or Alex, how do you keep him out? If his play in practice makes a year 5 unlikely, why would you keep him out?

 

[christophero]

He looks to have gained muscle since the summer as well.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

It is probably a combination of things. Early plan to red shirt was based on higher expectations for Jack and Alex overall level of play and at least a little better shooting from Tre and Cam while Joey was not up to speed and was being eased along.

2/3 wsy through the year, Jack in mind boggling slump, Alex inconsistent with shot and still often lost on D, Cam unpredictably inconsistent from 3 and the rest of his game on O, Tre way worse from 3 than most would have imagined and maybe. This we have all seen. What we haven't seen is Joey in practice. If he has steadily improved and is playing as well or better in practice than Jack or Alex, how do you keep him out? If his play in practice makes a year 5 unlikely, why would you keep him out?

Fair assessment. Even if he’s a 4 year guy and we’re “gambling” the redshirt right now, I’m ok with it. Ultimately, this season in the making is the most important at the moment. You have to value and do what could potentially cater to its success before you worry about the future.

Thing is - The 4 freshmen virtually play the entire game. Between AOC, Bolden, DeLaurier, Jack and now Baker - How do you divide up those 40 minutes between 5 guys? Sure, you have to consider who will play in foul trouble circumstances... But as far as putting the best 5 on the floor..... Tough decision. They are ALL valuable in their own unique ways.

 

[christophero]

When Zion comes back he won't be playing 40 minutes. Take 5 from Cam and Zion and give them to Alex and Baker.

 

[Devilinside]

Not really a big gamble IMHO. Not likely Baker stays around 5 years anyway. We badly need another body, if for no other reason, to save legs as much as we can for the post season. If we happen to add a decent shooter in so doing, so much the better. Baker, on paper, gives us more than we can get out of Goldwire and/or White (I hope).

 

[christophero]

If we add Hurt shooting won't be a problem next year. I think we'll see Baker have some 8-10 point games pretty soon.

 

[Mpm277]

When Zion comes back he won't be playing 40 minutes. Take 5 from Cam and Zion and give them to Alex and Baker.

Alex has one good game and you want to take minutes from Zion?

 

[christophero]

Alex has one good game and you want to take minutes from Zion?

Haha I meant while Zion recovers and works his way back from his knee injury. But I do have Alex going first in the draft.

 

[DukiesDohK]

https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article226732729.html

Good quotes from Joey and others. Seems it was always an option but not needed until now for all the reasons we all understand.

Hope he helps stretch the D for RJ, Zion and Cam to do some serious damage moving forward!

 

[GAAP_rivals]

https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article226732729.html

Good quotes from Joey and others. Seems it was always an option but not needed until now for all the reasons we all understand.

So all that stuff I read on THR was a bunch of hogwash? But they sounded so sure of themselves...

 

[kwyjibos13]

I liked Baker's energy, especially rebounding, after we were getting really burned on the offensive glass.

 

[2 skerz 3_rivals208847]

I went back and fixed it let’s not get started Dattier. I simply don’t understand the move especially should Zion return even if the plan is to sit White. Does anyone here truly believe he sees more then five minutes a game? Especially with White, Alex and Bolden on the bench or even if Zion doesn’t return

Ok so we all Know Tre, Barrett and Reddish will play at the very least 35 minutes a game and that leaves time between two spots. So Bolden and Javin lets say split forty and that leaves 55 minutes between Alex, White, Baker and Goldwire. This is also on the point that Zion doesn’t return. Should he he’ll play at least thirty minutes a game so that leaves 15 minutes to go around for White, O’Connell, Goldwire and Baker .

I get that, all of it but why not sooner? I even like the fact that he, himself wanted it lifted to play and contribute as a member of this unique class. I just hope it’s not for nothing because he has four games in conference, atleast three games in the ACC tourney to adapt to college play before the tourney. I get he’s a shooter but he just shot his first three in a college game .

Yes I do especially if Baker himself asked for the redshirt to be lifted. I get it go with the hot hand but did he make an appearance in the second half? So can we also agree that he only has what four games in the strongest conference to adapt to college play and three games in the ACC tourney . That’s seven games and do you really see him playing much especially should Zion return?

I never said he plays twenty minutes, maybe he is good enough to get five minutes I don’t know. But I do know unless he gets five minutes why burn a red shirt with only four games left in the regular season. I think it’s like you said, he’s asked after Louisville to play and hopefully he’s confident enough he can contribute with the four games left headed into the post season. I don’t see it but that’s just my opinion but players can learn off the fly.
He is the prototype stretch four used in Dukes system so maybe he believes he will carve out minutes for himself. He’s got three days before the next game and three more games after that to adjust to college play.

Ok I get that. We will see hopefully he’s the shooter everyone hopes.

I got it now K is sending the message to White that it’s ,” All hands on deck!”

I don’t think K is mad with White but just maybe he can’t figure out how to get White out of his funk.

I hope K goes eight deep. Read an article where Zion told K he wanted to be with his guys on the side line. How great of a kid is Zion. I mean I even overlooked the fact that Baker might have even wanted to step up in the absence of Zion so he don’t rush back. How fortunate are we to see a generational talent that truly cares about more then himself and is the example of a true team mate

I can agree with this but it remains to be seen

There is four games left in the season before the post season. There isn’t much more to the season progressing it is the end of February.

I trust he won’t be over a Senior Javin or White or especially should Tre return. I like the kids reaction on the bench through the season. We will see the next four games. I do think he is another option on defense against Cam Johnson do to his length.