Pound sand

[WI#1Dukie22]

Mike Brey
Fat boy Bonnie
All here who have counted Duke as dead

And most of all, you Tatum haters!!!!!!

Dukies getting better every minute

Partying in Hawaii will be real tonight!!!!!

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

A Duke win...and you're in Hawaii...now that's a win-win!

Yeah, now we've got 2 road wins (in a row) under our belt. And that's with a short turnaround from a Saturday game. Good stuff. Congrats to a determined Duke team.

OFC

 

[saGz7]

Hey, I'll eat crow, but we are still not there yet. Great to see some signs, tho!

 

[HeLooks2MuchLikeDave]

Yeah shoosh all you guys bagging Tatum. Kid's subject to freshman issues but he's damn good. He's a game changer

 

[Guy Smiley]

I was becoming concerned about making the tournament. Wins like the one tonight definitely help the cause.

Now keep it going!!

 

[WI#1Dukie22]

I watched 90% of the game on my phone while on a tour.... end up watching the score more then play to play. That said, I thought we looked frickin awesome!!! Certainly not "there" but it was sweet on the eyes!!!

Side note, Hawaii is AMAZING. WOW

 

[BluePhil]

I watched 90% of the game on my phone while on a tour.... end up watching the score more then play to play. That said, I thought we looked frickin awesome!!! Certainly not "there" but it was sweet on the eyes!!!

Side note, Hawaii is AMAZING. WOW

I will gladly have the crow with butter sauce. While not counting out the team I certainly was lamenting playing Kennard and Grayson together. In my defense Grayson seems to have finally shaken the post punishment timidness in the last 2 games.

 

[dukiejay]

I get the excitement, but these kinds of posts only get the idiots more amped up to point out future mistakes. We didn't see the last of the bashing tonight, but it was great watching the game and posting in the second half with certain posters not posting.

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

I get the excitement, but these kinds of posts only get the idiots more amped up to point out future mistakes. We didn't see the last of the bashing tonight, but it was great watching the game and posting in the second half with certain posters not posting.

That's true, DJ, but the haters are going to jump at any opportunity anyway. You're only good as your last game, and if it's a bad game...well it's forever.

OFC

 

[hart2chesson]

I am not afraid to say I have been hard on Tatum. However, by the same token I predicted on this board he would have his best game tonite. I knew he was smart enough to LEARN FROM SATURDAY when he sat after fouling out. I figured the experience would show him there were other players on this team good enough to help him win!! I am only sorry I picked us by 5- they doubled it up!
#GoDevils

OFC

 

[hallside]

I just scrolled through the game thread and it's honestly depressing how some of the "fans" on this board go about their posts. I know we've had a rough go in the ACC early on, but it seems to me some of you guys love spewing negativity and blaming Matt, Jayson, Harry, etc.. How about trying to root for them? It seems a few just post their criticisms, with no light at the end of the tunnel. Posting and reading on here has become a lot less fun for me and I'm sure others this year. I tried supporting Jayson after last game and three people quoted me saying something to the effect of "well what do you suggest, he makes the team worse and should be on the bench". Idk maybe let the guys on our staff, who have a tad more bball IQ than anyone on this board, help him through it? Not trying to point any fingers at all. I'd just like to visit a board where the strong majority actually likes and roots for the players wearing the Duke jersey... Here's to a strong finish in the ACC, a healthy Coach K, and a fun run into April!

 

[SoCal Dukie]

Pound sand......a friggin' GREAT line that I use nearly every day! Well said.

 

[dukiejay]

I'm going to merge this one with another just like it....

 

[Jnood]

I was a little rough on Tatum, but I couldn't be more happy to see him perform as he did tonight! I was so amped when he chose Duke, and was actually, for some dumb reason, started to question why. I have been having a little bit of a hard time keeping things in perspective this year, because it's been just totally weird. Bashing players and coaches is silly. There is a lot more going on than we know. K knows what his vision is for a team, when he recruits them. So from now on, I will just be a nervous wreck, and cheer, and be happy I am fortunate enough to watch this team and manipulate my one year old son, into loving Duke. Yelling, "Gooooooo Duke!!" Over and over and over and never stop getting a kick out of it!

 

[Dukesince90]

I know I've taken my share of bashing for sticking up for Tatum in the game threads, but if you can't see the talent this kid has you're absolutely blind. Yes he's made lots of mistakes, but that's how people grow and become better (especially freshmen). I pull for everyone of these kids to be great and trust that our coaches know what they're doing. im hoping we can string several more wins together, at least two!

 

[DukeDenver]

I've not been happy with Tatum's approach to the game, but I never doubted his intentions. I never thought him selfish, just green and at times too reliant on himself. Last night he held his position in the paint and actually committed to help defense. He only chucked up one bad three, but then started driving on shorter guys which was a muchbetter look. He played very well. I hope we see that effort maintained with even more awareness moving forward. He still gets caught looking sometimes, but last night those were the exception. I was just about ready for a new starter, even after the first 10 minutes of that one, but he showed enough focus and grit to convince us all he belongs with the lead group. He's figuring out when to attack and when to defer.

 

[Dukesince90]

I'm probably in the minority again, but I don't have a problem with Tatum shooting 1 or 2 three pointers a game as long as they're open and in the flow of the game. If he can make some 3's, he almost becomes unguardable by other teams.

 

[DukeDenver]

I'm probably in the minority again, but I don't have a problem with Tatum shooting 1 or 2 three pointers a game as long as they're open and in the flow of the game. If he can make some 3's, he almost becomes unguardable by other teams.

I agree he should still take open ones.

 

[dukiejay]

I've not been happy with Tatum's approach to the game, but I never doubted his intentions. I never thought him selfish, just green and at times too reliant on himself. Last night he held his position in the paint and actually committed to help defense. He only chucked up one bad three, but then started driving on shorter guys which was a muchbetter look. He played very well. I hope we see that effort maintained with even more awareness moving forward. He still gets caught looking sometimes, but last night those were the exception. I was just about ready for a new starter, even after the first 10 minutes of that one, but he showed enough focus and grit to convince us all he belongs with the lead group. He's figuring out when to attack and when to defer.

The bolded part is key. It doesn't take a basketball savant to realize this team can't reach where it wants to go without him playing well. He needs to be one of our big three along with Luke and Grayson.

 

[Showenuff]

Even when Jayson is playing bad, he has some beneficial affects on the game with his length. As bad as his end game blunder was that everyone slaughtered him over, he'll have the same big play the other way before its over.

 

[dukephysics]

The bolded part is key. It doesn't take a basketball savant to realize this team can't reach where it wants to go without him playing well. He needs to be one of our big three along with Luke and Grayson.

And that is the root of a lot of the Tatum "bashing." I also have been pretty hard on him because he just didn't seem to be anywhere close to living up to his abilities. I didn't see the game last night, but it sounds like he played really well. For us to do anything close to what we hope to this year, we need him to play like an all conference level player. Consistently. And I certainly hope he does and will be thrilled if/when it happens.

 

[dukiejay]

And that is the root of a lot of the Tatum "bashing." I also have been pretty hard on him because he just didn't seem to be anywhere close to living up to his abilities. I didn't see the game last night, but it sounds like he played really well. For us to do anything close to what we hope to this year, we need him to play like an all conference level player. Consistently. And I certainly hope he does and will be thrilled if/when it happens.

I don't disagree. I just think with the team's overall expectations this season and then some players not 'living' up to their perceived preseason accolades has made some fans go overboard. I'll never say Tatum was playing as well as he could, but he wasn't near as bad as many made him out to be, either. He just stole the mantle from Matt and was playing the scapegoat for this team.

 

[dukephysics]

I don't disagree. I just think with the team's overall expectations this season and then some players not 'living' up to their perceived preseason accolades has made some fans go overboard. I'll never say Tatum was playing as well as he could, but he wasn't near as bad as many made him out to be, either. He just stole the mantle from Matt and was playing the scapegoat for this team.

That's fair. I haven't been critical of Matt since his soph year - I think he always gives everything he's got and if he makes mistakes or plays poorly, you can live with it. Grayson is the same. I've probably been too critical of Tatum in frustration. Hey, at least the guy we can't all agree on is Jayson Tatum instead of Luke Maye.

 

[dukiejay]

That's fair. I haven't been critical of Matt since his soph year - I think he always gives everything he's got and if he makes mistakes or plays poorly, you can live with it. Grayson is the same. I've probably been too critical of Tatum in frustration. Hey, at least the guy we can't all agree on is Jayson Tatum instead of Luke Maye.

I just think certain posters take hard-line stands on everything (and I'm not talking about you). There's nothing wrong with that because they're free to do so, but there's nothing wrong with the posters who look more at the big picture with some rationality.

The same posters who are upset with Jayson are the same one's who thought Matt sucked and shouldn't play a month ago, the same one's who thought he hasn't improved since he arrived at Duke, the same one's who expected this Duke team to go 38-2, the same one's who think Rivers was a cancer (that one still makes me chuckle), etc., etc. In their minds it's always one, and only one, thing. They can't use the logic to see a bigger picture.

Clearly, to anyone with any kind of basketball IQ (not even knowledge, just a standard remedial IQ), you can see Jayson's importance to this team. Now, was he not harnessing his talents to best fit the strength of the team? Yes. Was he reverting back at times to forcing things not there? Yes. Was it frustrating as hell? Gawd, yes! But if there's one thing I've come to learn it's that it will always be that way.

 

[pisgah101]

I say what I think at the time being. Matt sucked for two months but now I'll sing his praises because he has turned it around. Tatum has sucked worse than Matt and I actually believe has cost us games. One good showing won't change my opinion on him but it's a start. When us "hardliners" take an opinion I believe it's for the time being. Just because someone is terrible today don't mean they will be in a month but they have to show growth to improve and we've seen that

 

[hart2chesson]

I dont hold anything against any of our Duke fans because I really feel they come here to vent and commiserate w/one another at times. We all share a true love of Duke (some like me into football as much as hoops). I am guilty as heck of getting on players, coaches, etc but that doesnt make me or anyone else here a bad person.

I hope none of our fans who were critical of Jayson run away and hide. I know from your comments and your dedication to posting you're all proud to be Blue Devils!

OFC

 

[K Coach]

It's ok to not wear the rose colored glasses and drink the koolaid all the time. There are posters that take to the board to get frustrations out. I have no problem with that. I like them better than the "I told you so" posters lol. At the end of the day, we post on a message board, we don't sit on the sidelines. If we were all the same kinds of fan, the board would lack some fun.

 

[hart2chesson]

It's ok to not wear the rose colored glasses and drink the koolaid all the time. There are posters that take to the board to get frustrations out. I have no problem with that. I like them better than the "I told you so" posters lol. At the end of the day, we post on a message board, we don't sit on the sidelines. If we were all the same kinds of fan, the board would lack some fun.

SOLID POST....

OFC

 

[Mac9192]

Being critical of a player that comes in with hype Tatum did is fine, but the posts comparing him to Jabari Parker was a little much. Most would agree that Tatum has had some adjusting to get used to, and even with everything the team has gone through, we expected greatness right away. He's very good. I like the team's chances if the defense last night is a sign of improvement, and with Allen, Kennard and him as primary scorers, we may have the Duke team we expected a month ago.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

Jayson still had his awful moments last night, and his charge that was called an And-1 could have been backbreaking. He also needs to quit falling down when attacking the rim, because it always results in a score the other way.

However it doesn't take a basketball whiz to notice that he is our biggest matchup nightmare for other teams. He's too big for guards to guard him, and too athletic for bigs to guard him. I think once he gets more comfortable playing with Luke and Grayson, the sky is the limit for Jayson.

 

[HuffyJB]

Jayson still had his awful moments last night, and his charge that was called an And-1 could have been backbreaking. He also needs to quit falling down when attacking the rim, because it always results in a score the other way.

However it doesn't take a basketball whiz to notice that he is our biggest matchup nightmare for other teams. He's too big for guards to guard him, and too athletic for bigs to guard him. I think once he gets more comfortable playing with Luke and Grayson, the sky is the limit for Jayson.

That block call was bad - clearly a charge. I think it was the universe righting itself after he took an open-handed and obvious slap to the face on a shoulda been and-one earlier in the game and got no call.

 

[DukeDenver]

That block call was bad - clearly a charge. I think it was the universe righting itself after he took an open-handed and obvious slap to the face on a shoulda been and-one earlier in the game and got no call.

The refs were a step slow all night. My kids were definitely looking at me strange as I reacted to the calls and the commentary by that moron commentator. That was an ugly game to watch and hear, until Matt Jones was icing at the free throw line with that big grin on his face. Our guys wanted that game over ND in their house badly and it showed. Screw you, Colson.

 

[dukiejay]

It's ok to not wear the rose colored glasses and drink the koolaid all the time. There are posters that take to the board to get frustrations out. I have no problem with that. I like them better than the "I told you so" posters lol. At the end of the day, we post on a message board, we don't sit on the sidelines. If we were all the same kinds of fan, the board would lack some fun.

So if someone thinks Duke is better with Tatum or that he doesn't suck, they're wearing rose-colored glasses and drinking the kool-aid? That's not even kind of rational. I honestly don't recall one poster saying Tatum was playing well a week ago. Most people just refused to say he sucked.

Constructive criticism can be our friend.

 

[K Coach]

So if someone thinks Duke is better with Tatum or that he doesn't suck, they're wearing rose-colored glasses and drinking the kool-aid? That's not even kind of rational. I honestly don't recall one poster saying Tatum was playing well a week ago. Most people just refused to say he sucked.



Constructive criticism can be our friend.

I was using the koolaid quote as a whole, not just Tatums situation. Some people are just the eternal optimists. Not that there is anything wrong with that. But, the sky could be actually falling and we all see it and these people will still think all is well. Just sayin....I think there is room for both types of fans on these boards. Not everyone is going to paint a rosy picture all the time!

 

[hart2chesson]

I was using the koolaid qu Just sayin....I think there is room for both types of fans on these boards. Not everyone is going to paint a rosy picture all the time!

I like to read the varying opinions of Duke fans. If we did all agree it would get pretty dull.

OFC

 

[NYBlueDevil]

If they can continue to play like they did last night, they can play with anyone. I just feel bad for Harry. Man that kid has gotten a raw deal in every sense. I hope he continues to get more comfortable on the court because we need him bad. Not sure what the deal with Bolden is. Would love to be a fly on the wall as it pertains to that.

 

[HeLooks2MuchLikeDave]

I was using the koolaid quote as a whole, not just Tatums situation. Some people are just the eternal optimists. Not that there is anything wrong with that. But, the sky could be actually falling and we all see it and these people will still think all is well. Just sayin....I think there is room for both types of fans on these boards. Not everyone is going to paint a rosy picture all the time!

This same type of debate has been raging all year over at THR. Except instead of arguing over future NBA All-Star Jayson Tatum, they've chosen future Israeli league bench-rider Luke Maye as their target