The timing of this seems strange but Bolden could be going back to Texas to see his family I suppose. Just thought I would share.
Losing nearly everyone...
- Thread starter TheDude1
- Start date
The timing of this seems strange but Bolden could be going back to Texas to see his family I suppose. Just thought I would share.
Me? Hah! No, living in my head is fine. I am still new here, and for the most part this has been a really tough season in many ways, so I'm sorry if you've gotten the wrong overall impression of my however-many-years-of-Duke-fandom based on my sometimes negative reaction to this year... I am not a constantly-negative nelly
The thing is, I *am* a bit of a glass half empty person, but I am also fairly practical, and this year has been a bit of a test of both of those things. Listen... This year was really rough. The Grayson thing was just *such* a downer... Months were dominated by the entire sports world hating one of our guys, and frankly I was even thrown by his actions in a way I don't think I've ever been shaken by one of our boys... Then the team struggled terribly in a bunch of ways (including seemingly in terms of chemistry, which we as Duke fans almost never see and which can be a huge downer), our expectations were sky high, for a legendary season, and were basically crushed as we took a ton of losses and then went down in the second round JUST as we hit our highest point and it seemed like maybe the preseason potential was getting reached... K went down... UNC is in the final four again with a class full of upperclassmen and no punishment in sight.... And now we are possibly about to see nearly the entire team go with only two impact freshmen on board who will only be at Duke a single season, after a season where some of the highest ranking recruits in one of the strongest classes in years had a tough year. While I wish it wasn't so, a picture of a bunch of recruits who haven't signed, and who might (even if they do sign) end up not living up to the hype of "they can make us a national title contender" around them isn't necessarily going to make me say much more than "Eh, three of those five aren't signed and even if they do, teams of entirely freshmen don't win a lot of titles."
But I am sorry, my short amount of time on here has been a rough time, relatively speaking, and I haven't been very happy with this year
And no, it certainly isn't the end of Duke... I was tent number one when Coach Gaudet took over, and ran to Cameron from the ER and cheered like a mad man even when we lost to UNC, and we are still here. That said... We *might* be seeing the end of what we traditionally think of when we think of the Duke teams we've loved... Teams with guys who we watch grow for years and we get to know, guys like Jon or Nolan or Kyle or Wojo or Grant or JJ or Shel or JayWill or Shane... And teams like that led by K. To be honest, K doesn't have that many years left, and likely (with so many guys leaving now and top talent not staying) won't have the chance to have another of those teams again. So, in a strange way, it sort of IS the end of a certain something, a something that has been the heart of my being a Duke fan since I first started watching Duke.
I know you might just see this as entirely negative. Sure, it is a *bit* negative
That said... I am sorry if in the short time here I've seemed rather too negative. Bring on Mo and Duval and K.Knox, let's go into a season enjoying looking forward to watching the learning process and the boys grow, and hoping we have a lot of great games!
Good post. I think some people on the board see things with their fan goggles on and don't see reality. I think your thoughts are fairly accurate, college basketball is not the same as it was 10 years ago and in my opinion will only get worse. I love Duke as much as the next guy and have for over 30 years. My expectations for freshman from here on out will be tempered and I will just enjoy the seasons and not worry about pre-season expectations.
I wouldnt go as far as to say I loved Austin, his game always bothered me a little. but he was an awesome player, and at times unstoppable. I liked that team too, just saying they were a little different style wise, which is why Mason didnt get featured in the post like he did the next year.
I dont understand this 3-4 year player idea. If thats what we really brought in everyone would complain about how bad the guy is for at least 1 year, maybe 2. Think about Berry. Heck of a player this year (still potentially a weak link for UNC, in that they need his shooting, but he can be, has been recently, a little streaky). But if UNC was counting on him solely during his freshmen year they wouldve been in trouble. Then he didn't really break out until the NCAA tournament in his sophomore year. I understand developing players, but Im not sure it would bring more consistency. One way you have the talent every year, and you have to get things right in some other areas and then you might win a title. The other way you have a shot to win every 3-4 years if talent develops (it doesn't always i.e. Tyler Thornton). Both ways are dependent upon some very crucial things going well. And god forbid you recruit a guy who looks like a 4 year player and he leave after 2 years...then what? Bottom line is the NCAA tournament is tough to win, and you have to have a lot of weapons to do it, and then sometimes you still fail.
One other argument I don't buy is the lack of success of OADs. I understand they arent in the FF every year like the upperclassmen teams. But isn't that because there just aren't as many chances for OAD teams to make it. I mean who has teams full of OADs every year? Duke (recently) and UK. Thats about it. The other big time OADs play in random schools and act as one man armies. So for an OAD laden team to win every year it means Duke and UK have to win every year. Those odds aren't very good. But Duke and UKs success has been on par in terms of titles and/or FFs with ANY other program in the country since the OAD trend began.
One other argument I don't buy is the lack of success of OADs. I understand they arent in the FF every year like the upperclassmen teams. But isn't that because there just aren't as many chances for OAD teams to make it. I mean who has teams full of OADs every year? Duke (recently) and UK. Thats about it. The other big time OADs play in random schools and act as one man armies. So for an OAD laden team to win every year it means Duke and UK have to win every year. Those odds aren't very good. But Duke and UKs success has been on par in terms of titles and/or FFs with ANY other program in the country since the OAD trend began.
me too...my only gripe is that some guys missed out on opportunity because they were always just watching austin imo
I have no patience...why does this processs take so long (for the record I totally understand gathering all information available and the players and their families doing their due diligence).
When can we likely expect Allen, Luke, Bolden to confirm something? Surly they know something by now, no?
When can we likely expect Allen, Luke, Bolden to confirm something? Surly they know something by now, no?
During the McD's game during a time out Carter,Knox,Duval and Bamba were walking to the east bench together and the camera only showed those 4. I thought at the time how great it would be to see that next year except in Duke uni's . Either the home white or the away Duke Blue. OFC
You're in a much larger group who will claim that than who really mean that. What we have today is a product of what fans have demanded.
Sad theres not a large proportion who truly mean it....Sure social media is a broad part of it, but it should somehow be discouraged. Ultimately it just lends itself to spoiling the kids....
OFC
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In case you're interested I have narrowed down my options for dinner tonight to two choices....Thai food or tex-mex. Stay posted.
It's reasonable to be concerned about that possibility, but it's not as if star athletes haven't always had plenty of opportunities to be spoiled, from pee wee leagues through the pros. I don't think sheltering guys from media attention does them any favors when it comes to preparing them for the media onslaught they'll face at high profile college programs and the NBA.
Interesting take, but I saw plenty of guys before the social media frenzy recruiting took off who have handled themselves well before the media....You are right I agree though about the coddling of athletes at a very young age....
OFC
It will be way of future for Duke. If you get OADs then expect to get new team every year. Giles and Bolden were mind set OADs when they arrived.