Haven't seen the gameball thread yet but I'm giving it to RJ. I've watched the game 3 times now. RJ came in with "that look" , he was super focused and was determined to take nothing but a victory last night. His concentration was infectious. He shot the ball great, he defended well, and even concentrated at the stripe. He came running at high speed several times at the top of the key, recognized the collapse and dished immediately. Forced nothing. I think he's turned another corner. I like we are looked at as a team who can't shoot the 3. It's not true at all. More like we don't HAVe to shoot the 3. but when forced to, you got it. I am by no means selling any other player short, they all played fantastic. That was a game for the ages man. I'm still pumped as HELL! Tre is a joy to watch. Cam has blown up ! Zion is Zion. And now Bolden looks as comfortable as ever. Good things ahead fellas. Good things ahead.
RJ BARRETT TO NEW LEVELS.
- Thread starter Showenuff
- Start date
I’m all for any thread celebrating RJ. He has been fantastic all season and is already one of my favorite all-time Dukies. He loves winning and has a swagger and killer instinct about him that we haven’t seen from a freshman in a long time. Coach talking about how RJ hasn’t been happy with the way he’s played and has been putting in extra work on his shot should tell you all you need to know about him considering the rediculous numbers he’s already been putting up. The fact that he, Zion, Cam and Tre all seem to be getting better and better is such a scary proposition for the rest of the country.
Gameball order for me goes:
RJ
Tre
Cam
That’s it. Zion has a very mediocre game so he doesn’t get a vote from me. Btw for those keeping score at home, mediocre for Zion is 18pts, 5 rebounds including a huge one at the end, 5 dimes, 3 steals and 3 blocks, one of which was one of the most impressive blocks I’ve seen.
RJ
Tre
Cam
That’s it. Zion has a very mediocre game so he doesn’t get a vote from me. Btw for those keeping score at home, mediocre for Zion is 18pts, 5 rebounds including a huge one at the end, 5 dimes, 3 steals and 3 blocks, one of which was one of the most impressive blocks I’ve seen.
Everyone put that stat line in perspective for a bit. That was a bad game for Zion. You could even go as far as to say pretty bad.
That’s the crazy thing about Zion, a “bad” game for him would be considered a great game for most other players.
RJ has one bad stretch per game it seems...with questionable shots and terrible passes BUT it usually don't last long then next thing you know he has 23pts 12 boards and 6 assists...I will take it everyday
He gets game ball from me as well
He gets game ball from me as well
Exactly- and Everybody outside of Duke nation and a few logical sports fans are “so sick of hearing about Zion”. It’s complete craziness what this kid is doing. Probably being under publicized.
Meanwhile somebody like Ethan Happ gets a statue for 18/11 in a losing effort. Smfh
Games like last night will go a long way in getting Duke that 2nd First Team All America selection
First of all, that's my line!
Second, RJ is so selfish that he carried us to that win without giving anyone else the chance to.
Just what I told my dumbass Wahoo buddy...."you flap your gums about your pack line defense but that wasn't the only defensive team that played last night"
I was literally thinking this exact thing today. I was actually going to comment that I believe it was Zion’s worst game. Then I looked at the star line again and couldn’t bring myself to type the words.
The last couple of games he’s been a little loose with the ball. Won’t be an issue at the next level where there is more spacing, but something to continue to work on at this level. Not sure he’s even had a “to do” list this year of things to work on, he’s been that good.
Totally disagree with the bad game for Zion. I recognize that you guys dont mean it in the true sense. But, I still think it misses the mark. Zion had 18 points on 8 shots. That is fantastic. His steals, blocks, and assists totals were also fantastic. His overall D was fantastic. He didn't take too many shots. That was good too because he wasnt forcing things. His only bad stat was the 5 turnovers, which is a lot. But, a couple of those were him attacking a defense that was designed to stop him. If he didn't continue to attack, maybe VA has a little easier time contesting all those open 3s. We all agree that we took good 3s. Zion continuing to attack the teeth of that D kept UVA in their scheme to allow us open 3s and the room to make those passes on the perimeter.
Yes. He. Will. And I will be sitting 8 rows behind the Duke bench watching him.
This is the first time in a while that I’m actually not dreading the unx game for the fear they MIGHT beat us. Not happening this year.
I wouldn’t go that far. In a crazy way, I’m actually more confident we win @UNC than in Cameron. There’s just something about this team on the road, a calming nature about them. We shoot better, we seem more composed. As big of an asset as the crazies are, maybe they get us a little too hyped at times. I’m splitting hairs and over analyzing, I know.