RJ Appreciation Thread...

dbav

All-American
Mar 14, 2014
8,042
5,875
0
I feel like he gets a lot of undue criticism from some fans, and is often overshadowed by another player that's larger than life, but he was a big key to the run that put us ahead for good. Does everything on the court. Has carried us at times.

I'm really excited we have the second best player in the NCAA on the team and that he plays his role so well. Could have gone anywhere else to be the man, but chose to be part of this team.
 

Liftee

All-American
Mar 6, 2011
3,199
5,513
0
I think about that a lot, that RJ has been the leader of his national team and now he's second banana. He is all class and deserves the huge money he'll be making next fall.
 

OldasdirtDevil

Heisman
Nov 16, 2009
19,469
15,753
0
RJ is an incredible player, with a killer instinct. We don't even stay afloat when Zion went down without RJ. He willed us to wins. I hope he's able to get some extra rest, because the silver lining with Zion was that he's probably more rested at this stage of the year with the time off. On the flip side, I think RJ had to expend a lot of energy (physical and mental) during Zion's absence. Hopefully, he can get recharged for our title run.

OFC
 

SwatX1

Heisman
Jan 4, 2011
8,336
10,579
68
I wish I could find that tweet he sent out after we lost to Kansas. Something to the effect of "I'm hurt too, but don't worry, next year, we gonna bring it home". I think he believes that. I believe that. And I believe we can't do it without him. He is NOT selfish. He is NOT a ball hog, and he gets pumped when he sees one of his teammates do something good.
 

meisperplexed

All-Conference
Dec 22, 2016
1,147
1,002
0
R.J. is a fantastic basketball player and I vowed after his triple double to remember that he is a freshman and not get so frustrated if he makes a bad play. I can't imagine the pressure he's been under with Zion out. He's also an iron man playing as many minutes as he has throughout the season. I may mirror my avatar from time to time, but I trust R.J. and co. to get it done when it matters most.
 

df64

All-Conference
Feb 2, 2006
2,702
1,934
0
RJ battles every game for us. If he has some head scratchers shot choice selection wise, what choice does he have with the shooting woes of most of his teammates. I wonder how much his minutes and extra effort on O takes away from his D. Some times he doesn't even attempt to put a hand up to challenge shots. If Cam could be more consistent on O, we could afford to give him a breather or 2 each game.
 

christophero

Heisman
May 2, 2017
16,640
20,005
113
We have been winning ugly and playing good D. RJ and Zion are great slashers, which makes up for our poor 3 point shooting. Can we go all the way shooting this bad from 3? That is the question.
 

retiredsoldier

All-American
Mar 10, 2012
3,609
5,125
0
How quickly we forget that RJ should of just wrapped up his senior year in high school! Dude is a beast and we are extremely lucky we have him. Zion is the man, and has been from day one. Zion has also never had to play a game at Duke without his sidekick. RJ has for 5 games and done a freaking outstanding job, while other teams tried to slow him down.
 

LouisiAaron

All-Conference
Feb 15, 2017
2,305
1,069
3
RJ is a special talent. Coach K has given him the green light so I don’t trip on him shooting. It works for us.
 

DiehardDukeFan4Life

All-Conference
Jan 20, 2011
5,963
3,524
0
RJ gets a little out of control when he drives to the basket but considering he’s scored 20+ points in 24 out of our 34 games with several of those games being 30+ point games, so I can overlook it because of all the great things he does.
 

2 skerz 3_rivals208847

All-American
Mar 7, 2011
48,400
8,326
0
I feel like he gets a lot of undue criticism from some fans, and is often overshadowed by another player that's larger than life, but he was a big key to the run that put us ahead for good. Does everything on the court. Has carried us at times.

I'm really excited we have the second best player in the NCAA on the team and that he plays his role so well. Could have gone anywhere else to be the man, but chose to be part of this team.
Great thread. I was a critic of his early in the season but he, quite frankly, is the 2nd toughest to defend in all of America. Seems like he quietly gets 20-30 points 7-10 rebounds and 5-8 assists damn near every game here lately. He’s a stud!
 

Quavarius

Heisman
Aug 12, 2009
175,637
22,032
0
I feel like he gets a lot of undue criticism from some fans, and is often overshadowed by another player that's larger than life, but he was a big key to the run that put us ahead for good. Does everything on the court. Has carried us at times.

I'm really excited we have the second best player in the NCAA on the team and that he plays his role so well. Could have gone anywhere else to be the man, but chose to be part of this team.

Love RJ
 

bfort2223

Sophomore
Dec 4, 2009
200
111
0
I feel like he gets a lot of undue criticism from some fans, and is often overshadowed by another player that's larger than life, but he was a big key to the run that put us ahead for good. Does everything on the court. Has carried us at times.

I'm really excited we have the second best player in the NCAA on the team and that he plays his role so well. Could have gone anywhere else to be the man, but chose to be part of this team.

Well put. He obviously puts in work every night and frankly, he IS the man and knows it. It's definitely a testament to him knowing himself, which I believe K elaborated on earlier in the year, about this team in general. Still very impressive to see in someone so young.
 

AlanInNJ

All-Conference
Feb 25, 2014
1,665
2,462
0
Everyone had to adjust for games with and and then without and then with Zion again. Nobody has done that better than RJ IMHO. In games when Zion was in foul trouble or out with an injury, RJ was THE Man. Plus, if RJ doesn't step up BIG time in those games Zion was out I think we go 2-4 instead of 4-2. For him to slide over when Zion came back is a testament to his team mentality. Oh, and he quietly put up 23, 15, and 17 in the three ACC games along with some great rebounds.

Who doesn't want a teammate like that? Seems like a great young man with a burning desire to win. I can easily overlook a few poor shot selections. I want him on the floor!
 
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Canadian Dukie

All-Conference
Nov 22, 2017
1,670
1,788
0
All I can say is that I'm so glad that RJ chose to play his one year of college ball at Duke.You have done your family,your team and your Country proud.Nothing would please me more than seeing you win a national championship this year,then on to a great NBA career