[valentine]

Man Duke is going to be hard to guard next season.  If they get Marques Bolden that is just the cherry on top.  By the way, my guys in Durham are saying that Thornton is thinking about transferring.

I think their most effective lineup would be Jackson, Allen, Kennard, Tatum and Giles.  Their backups of Thornton (for now), Jones,  White, Delaurier, Jeter and Jefferson is still a top 25 lineup.  

[Robb_CParticipant]

Kennard is the X-Factor here, If he has a big year next season, Duke will have amazing spacing if Kennarx shoots well, Its going to open up everything for Tatum and Giles.

[Robb_CParticipant]

Kennard is the X-Factor here, If he has a big year next season, Duke will have amazing spacing if Kennarx shoots well, Its going to open up everything for Tatum and Giles.

[OaktownWarriorsParticipant]

I’m guessing that Allen finally realized that he won’t be able to trip players in the NBA without getting his ass beat, so he will hang around Duke, where he can still trip players, good move Allen!

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

Matt Dellavedova thinks otherwise, unless Allen trips Dellavedova at which point Dellavedova stars in the remake of Crocodile Dundee and pulls a knife on him.

[Hype Machine]

You know Dellys gonna come back to haunt everyone that gave this post +1 in the playoffs.

Dude doesnt even own a crocodile hunting knife

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 You don’t know that.

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 You don’t know that.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

If he doesn’t now, he will when Grayson Allen is drafted. 

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

If he doesn’t now, he will when Grayson Allen is drafted. 

[Hype Machine]

You know Dellys gonna come back to haunt everyone that gave this post +1 in the playoffs.

Dude doesnt even own a crocodile hunting knife

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

Matt Dellavedova thinks otherwise, unless Allen trips Dellavedova at which point Dellavedova stars in the remake of Crocodile Dundee and pulls a knife on him.

[OaktownWarriorsParticipant]

I’m guessing that Allen finally realized that he won’t be able to trip players in the NBA without getting his ass beat, so he will hang around Duke, where he can still trip players, good move Allen!

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 He probably would have been a first rounder and Duke’s lineup will be stacked next season so it’s hard to really see him improving his draft stock much. From that perspective, it seems like kind of a curious decision.

However, there are definitely still aspects of his game that could use improvement and you have to respect the fact that he recognizes that and is willing to come back to school for another year and attempt to become a more complete and NBA ready player. 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 He probably would have been a first rounder and Duke’s lineup will be stacked next season so it’s hard to really see him improving his draft stock much. From that perspective, it seems like kind of a curious decision.

However, there are definitely still aspects of his game that could use improvement and you have to respect the fact that he recognizes that and is willing to come back to school for another year and attempt to become a more complete and NBA ready player. 

 

[akhan786Participant]

 The biggest reason why he’s coming back is that he’s on track to graduate in 3 years. Graduation is a requirement for jersey retirement and that coupled with the fact that Duke is far and away "projected" to be the early favorites for the title.

If he still had two years to graduate, he would have likely bolted for the draft.

Two titles and a degree I’m sure will grant Grayson his childhood dream of his jersey in the rafters at Cameron.

I think it was a no brainer since he was only projected to be a late first rounder. I doubt his stock falls enough (pending no injuries) that a chance to get his second title would be considered a waste.

 

Please basketball gods give us a Duke v Kentucky final.

 

 

 

 

[akhan786Participant]

 The biggest reason why he’s coming back is that he’s on track to graduate in 3 years. Graduation is a requirement for jersey retirement and that coupled with the fact that Duke is far and away "projected" to be the early favorites for the title.

If he still had two years to graduate, he would have likely bolted for the draft.

Two titles and a degree I’m sure will grant Grayson his childhood dream of his jersey in the rafters at Cameron.

I think it was a no brainer since he was only projected to be a late first rounder. I doubt his stock falls enough (pending no injuries) that a chance to get his second title would be considered a waste.

 

Please basketball gods give us a Duke v Kentucky final.

 

 

 

 

[I.C.Y.U.NV.MEParticipant]

 Glad to see a player who loves his school enough to stay and represent, while earning his degree at the same time. If he stays until his senior year and shows an improved all around game (he’s more than just a scorer), why can’t he be a lotto pick? Buddy Hills is a senior who’s a lottery pick, why can’t Allen be?

[I.C.Y.U.NV.MEParticipant]

 Glad to see a player who loves his school enough to stay and represent, while earning his degree at the same time. If he stays until his senior year and shows an improved all around game (he’s more than just a scorer), why can’t he be a lotto pick? Buddy Hills is a senior who’s a lottery pick, why can’t Allen be?

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 With Grayson coming back there is an outside shot for the White Guy Final Four MVP 3peat.

I agree with the other poster too, as much as a non-Blue Chip winning the title (Villanova) over a blue chip franchise (UNC) was good for the overall health of college basketball, eventually we need a Duke-Kentucky title game.  You need the mix — blue chippers winning it all.  Semi-blue chip franchises/programs winning (Louisville, UConn, Villanova), and Mid Majors crashing the Final Four (Butler, Gonzaga).  

An ideal Final Four next year would be Kentucky-Duke for the title along with Gonzaga and another (basically) mid major/high mid major team like Xavier.  

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 With Grayson coming back there is an outside shot for the White Guy Final Four MVP 3peat.

I agree with the other poster too, as much as a non-Blue Chip winning the title (Villanova) over a blue chip franchise (UNC) was good for the overall health of college basketball, eventually we need a Duke-Kentucky title game.  You need the mix — blue chippers winning it all.  Semi-blue chip franchises/programs winning (Louisville, UConn, Villanova), and Mid Majors crashing the Final Four (Butler, Gonzaga).  

An ideal Final Four next year would be Kentucky-Duke for the title along with Gonzaga and another (basically) mid major/high mid major team like Xavier.  

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 ^^^

UNC making the Elite Eight probably needs to happen to.  Losing either to Duke or Kentucky.  Then get a legit Cinderalla team from a one bid conference bowing out in the Elite 8.  UCLA would be fun too in a Zags-UCLA elite 8 rematch.  Nova in the Elite Eight as a sleeper pick to repeat would be great, too.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 ^^^

UNC making the Elite Eight probably needs to happen to.  Losing either to Duke or Kentucky.  Then get a legit Cinderalla team from a one bid conference bowing out in the Elite 8.  UCLA would be fun too in a Zags-UCLA elite 8 rematch.  Nova in the Elite Eight as a sleeper pick to repeat would be great, too.

[WrecklessParticipant]

Wouldn’t be surprised if Thornton transfers now. Think Allen starts next year at the point. Honestly I think Frank Jackson is light years ahead of Derryck Thornton, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he got even more burn than him next year.
PG: Allen/(Thornton)/Jackson/
SG: Jones/Kennard/
SF: Tatum/White/
PF: Jefferson/DeLaurier/Vrankovic/
C: Giles/Jeter/Obi/

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 I would start Jackson at the 1 then put Allen at the 2. That’d be a really good offensive lineup.

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 Plus, I’m not a huge fan of Jones.

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 Plus, I’m not a huge fan of Jones.

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 I would start Jackson at the 1 then put Allen at the 2. That’d be a really good offensive lineup.

[ncballer]

 It will be hard to keep Jackson off the floor.  He reminds me of Melo Trimble.  Really good at keeping his dribble alive, solid frame, good leaping ability and a streaky stroke.  Guarding both him and Allen one on one is a matchup nightmare.  Helping off them leaves a knockdown Luke Kennard or Tatum open on the wings, and if Giles is healthy, man I might vomit because he will have all the space in the world to beat bigmen off the dribble, and show off his textbook faceup game.  

[ncballer]

 It will be hard to keep Jackson off the floor.  He reminds me of Melo Trimble.  Really good at keeping his dribble alive, solid frame, good leaping ability and a streaky stroke.  Guarding both him and Allen one on one is a matchup nightmare.  Helping off them leaves a knockdown Luke Kennard or Tatum open on the wings, and if Giles is healthy, man I might vomit because he will have all the space in the world to beat bigmen off the dribble, and show off his textbook faceup game.  

[WrecklessParticipant]

Wouldn’t be surprised if Thornton transfers now. Think Allen starts next year at the point. Honestly I think Frank Jackson is light years ahead of Derryck Thornton, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he got even more burn than him next year.
PG: Allen/(Thornton)/Jackson/
SG: Jones/Kennard/
SF: Tatum/White/
PF: Jefferson/DeLaurier/Vrankovic/
C: Giles/Jeter/Obi/

[vulture711Participant]

One more reason – and a big one – to root against the Dukie’s next year ! 

[vulture711Participant]

One more reason – and a big one – to root against the Dukie’s next year ! 

[Al PerezParticipant]

 PG – Jackson

SG – Allen

SF – Kennard

PF – Tatum

C – Harry Giles

6th Man – Amile Jefferson

7th Man – Matt Jones

 

Yes I already know Tatum is a 3 going forward in the NBA. Harry Giles is a 4 as well, hopefully those knees check out.

[Al PerezParticipant]

 PG – Jackson

SG – Allen

SF – Kennard

PF – Tatum

C – Harry Giles

6th Man – Amile Jefferson

7th Man – Matt Jones

 

Yes I already know Tatum is a 3 going forward in the NBA. Harry Giles is a 4 as well, hopefully those knees check out.

[I.C.Y.U.NV.MEParticipant]

G-Allen (leading scorer and assist man this past year)

G- Jones (teams best perimeter defender and doesn’t need ball to be effective)

F- Tatum (top 3 NBA prospect)

F- Jefferson (5th year senior who brings defense, leadership, and experience)

F- Giles (top 3 NBA prospect. I want to see how his knees will be by the start of the season)

Key bench players: Kennard, Thornton, Jackson, Jeter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[I.C.Y.U.NV.MEParticipant]

G-Allen (leading scorer and assist man this past year)

G- Jones (teams best perimeter defender and doesn’t need ball to be effective)

F- Tatum (top 3 NBA prospect)

F- Jefferson (5th year senior who brings defense, leadership, and experience)

F- Giles (top 3 NBA prospect. I want to see how his knees will be by the start of the season)

Key bench players: Kennard, Thornton, Jackson, Jeter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cjwParticipant]

 Yea dukes offense is gonna be unstoppable next year. Could be even more scary if Bolden commits or Chase Jeter plays up to his ranking.

[cjwParticipant]

 Yea dukes offense is gonna be unstoppable next year. Could be even more scary if Bolden commits or Chase Jeter plays up to his ranking.

[GBeeParticipant]

 IDK what he could do to boost his stock. He had a banner year and displayed real NBA skill.  The catch and shoot 3, shots on the move, fearless driving with a knack for playing to contact, drawing fouls, pick and roll play and playmaking off the bounce as well. 

As a white SG maybe his stock is locked in so it doesn’t matter if he declares this year or next, but then I remember Stauskas.  Allen has more translatable skill than Stauskas because he can actually balance the shooting with driving. Yet Stauskas goes top 10 and Allen is a borderline first.

I didn’t quite understand why he was mocked so low before he took his name out. Size? He looks like he’s got longer arms than what those old meaurements say. It ain’t like Reddick where you could visibly see his arms barely going past his waistline.  A lot of his wild drives would not have been finished if he didn’t have good length and those huge mitts. He’s also strong and relishes contact. A complete scrub who didn’t even have a good year in college like Austin Rivers can go 10th in a better draft yet Allen is mocked as a borderline 1st in a worse draft? Why, bc was Rivers was a freshman?  You gotta be shtting me.

 

 

[GBeeParticipant]

 IDK what he could do to boost his stock. He had a banner year and displayed real NBA skill.  The catch and shoot 3, shots on the move, fearless driving with a knack for playing to contact, drawing fouls, pick and roll play and playmaking off the bounce as well. 

As a white SG maybe his stock is locked in so it doesn’t matter if he declares this year or next, but then I remember Stauskas.  Allen has more translatable skill than Stauskas because he can actually balance the shooting with driving. Yet Stauskas goes top 10 and Allen is a borderline first.

I didn’t quite understand why he was mocked so low before he took his name out. Size? He looks like he’s got longer arms than what those old meaurements say. It ain’t like Reddick where you could visibly see his arms barely going past his waistline.  A lot of his wild drives would not have been finished if he didn’t have good length and those huge mitts. He’s also strong and relishes contact. A complete scrub who didn’t even have a good year in college like Austin Rivers can go 10th in a better draft yet Allen is mocked as a borderline 1st in a worse draft? Why, bc was Rivers was a freshman?  You gotta be shtting me.

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Man Duke is scary loaded next year on paper. 

Allen for all the extra stuff, had a terrific season. The guy really does it all at the offensive end. 

How is he defensively? It may have been tough to guage given Duke played 6 guys basically but I don’t remember Allen being a great defensive guy. He didn’t seem like a liability but that’s an area where he can improvve his game. 

His numbers won’t go up but he can easily be a 17-20 ppg guy next year given his ability to shoot 3s and get to the line. The team will be a lot better but I wouldn’t just assume Giles, Tatum or Jackson come in an dominate from the start. Freshman are prone to off nights so having a guy like Allen is huge for them having a guy to lean on next year. 

Sucks for UNC too. They’ll likely take a sizable step back. Only other team that probably gives Duke a good run in the ACC is Virginia. 

 

 

 

 

[ncballer]

 Depends on who leaves for UNC and if they can add a grad transfer or somehow snag Fergueson (there is a tiny bit of smoke there).  I don’t see UVA being that good unless Austin Nichols makes a huge jump from how he played at Memphis.  Losing Gill and Brogdon is tough, although I have learned never to doubt Tony Bennet.

[ncballer]

 Depends on who leaves for UNC and if they can add a grad transfer or somehow snag Fergueson (there is a tiny bit of smoke there).  I don’t see UVA being that good unless Austin Nichols makes a huge jump from how he played at Memphis.  Losing Gill and Brogdon is tough, although I have learned never to doubt Tony Bennet.

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Man Duke is scary loaded next year on paper. 

Allen for all the extra stuff, had a terrific season. The guy really does it all at the offensive end. 

How is he defensively? It may have been tough to guage given Duke played 6 guys basically but I don’t remember Allen being a great defensive guy. He didn’t seem like a liability but that’s an area where he can improvve his game. 

His numbers won’t go up but he can easily be a 17-20 ppg guy next year given his ability to shoot 3s and get to the line. The team will be a lot better but I wouldn’t just assume Giles, Tatum or Jackson come in an dominate from the start. Freshman are prone to off nights so having a guy like Allen is huge for them having a guy to lean on next year. 

Sucks for UNC too. They’ll likely take a sizable step back. Only other team that probably gives Duke a good run in the ACC is Virginia. 

 

 

 

 

[Robb_CParticipant]

 So far looks like I was on the money about Luke Kennard being the X-Factor for Duke.. Kid is playing outstanding so far!

[Author]

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