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Favorite players, with a twist

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TheDude1

Heisman
Apr 15, 2010
8,726
11,199
0
D

DukeDenver

All-American
Nov 21, 2010
8,249
8,451
0
Tyus Jones. My eyes were glued on his play every time he hit the floor. He plays the way I hope my kids play one day. I hope his brother Tre makes me reconsider my pick.
 
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T

TheDude1

Heisman
Apr 15, 2010
8,726
11,199
0
For me... sheesh. I feel funny saying this, but I feel like nearly my entire top three could easily come from the 2010 team.

1) The Peoples Champ. Because not only was he an awesome ball player, but he has always been an awesome GUY... funny, kind, a big brother to so many guys, and his taking of Quinn under his wing, that relationship, always meant a lot to me.

2) MP3. Busted his *** for Duke. Loved his ROTC commitment. And the Duke Blue Planet videos? Yes, please.

3) Kyle. Great basketball player, for sure. But also the toughest damn kid who has ever worn our uniform, and a real interesting character... artistic and funky and funny and different.

Runners up? Hmm... Jon, Zoubs, Tyus... maybe Luol?

Without the limits, Shane and Grant, obviously:)
 
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M

Mac9192

Heisman
Jan 25, 2017
9,561
13,816
107
As I've said quite often, not everyone can be the chef. To be a complete team, some guys have to wash the dishes. Jefferson and Matt from 15 team, 10 team has been covered with Zoubek and Thomas. Haven't read anything negative about 01 team, and from watching them, they knew Battier was the leader. Tony Lang, Brian Davis and Thomas Hill from 91-92. All these guys mentioned were as important as the stars they played with.
 
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T

TheDude1

Heisman
Apr 15, 2010
8,726
11,199
0
Mac9192 said:
As I've said quite often, not everyone can be the chef. To be a complete team, some guys have to wash the dishes. Jefferson and Matt from 15 team, 10 team has been covered with Zoubek and Thomas. Haven't read anything negative about 01 team, and from watching them, they knew Battier was the leader. Tony Lang, Brian Davis and Thomas Hill from 91-92. All these guys mentioned were as important as the stars they played with.
Click to expand...

While stars often get the attention, sometimes the glue guys are the ones you fall in love with, you know? Because sometimes the work they put in and the passion they have is even more evident than with the guys who might be far more naturally talented...?
 
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T

TheDude1

Heisman
Apr 15, 2010
8,726
11,199
0
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D

dbav

All-American
Mar 14, 2014
8,042
5,875
0
Nelson - a very underrated player on some teams that weren't great. Quietly went about his business and was very good for us. Also became the first undrafted rookie to start an NBA game.

Ewing - quietly efficient and important. Good stroke and flew under the radar.

Those are the types of players I like. Just go do the job, don't talk about it, and know where you fit in.
 
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D

dukiejay

Heisman
Mar 2, 2005
11,293
16,311
0
dbav said:
Nelson - a very underrated player on some teams that weren't great. Quietly went about his business and was very good for us. Also became the first undrafted rookie to start an NBA game.

Ewing - quietly efficient and important. Good stroke and flew under the radar.

Those are the types of players I like. Just go do the job, don't talk about it, and know where you fit in.
Click to expand...

Demarcus's real coming out party happened in the 2005 game against UNC in Cameron. We don't win that game without his play. What I loved about Demarcus was the consistent improvement we saw from year-to-year. He also came from an incredible family.

His senior year Duke played in Maui and I was there with my wife. Our second day there we sat with his father for about two hours at the pool and had a pleasant conversation. The next day his father found us at the pool and plopped down next to us again for the afternoon. Just a salt of the earth family.
 
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T

TheDude1

Heisman
Apr 15, 2010
8,726
11,199
0
dukiejay said:
Demarcus's real coming out party happened in the 2005 game against UNC in Cameron. We don't win that game without his play. What I loved about Demarcus was the consistent improvement we saw from year-to-year. He also came from an incredible family.

His senior year Duke played in Maui and I was there with my wife. Our second day there we sat with his father for about two hours at the pool and had a pleasant conversation. The next day his father found us at the pool and plopped down next to us again for the afternoon. Just a salt of the earth family.
Click to expand...

Dad was a really good guy.
 
D

dukesince91

All-American
Mar 16, 2012
3,605
6,612
98
TheDude1 said:
I get Wojo and Jon... but why Kennard? What makes him stick out above people like, say, Nolan or CWell or Nate?



Same question... why Demarcus or Daniel?



My man!
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I just really like his offensive game. He could create his own shot and wasn't one dimensional. He always seemed calm and under controlled.
Plus he was a lefty! I was hoping we could have him for 3 years, oh well.
 
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D

DukeDenver

All-American
Nov 21, 2010
8,249
8,451
0
I wish Elliot Williams had played 4 years at Duke. The poor guy's pro career has been a parade of injuries and failed tryouts. At least he got a little NBA money off of that first contract.
 
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S

SwatX1

Heisman
Jan 4, 2011
8,339
10,583
68
Nolan Smith- really enjoyed watching his game grow year after year.

Langdon - Such a great shooter and exciting to watch

Quinn Cook - pretty much same reasons as Nolan. He just kept getting better and better.

That's my top 3 but I have to mention Winslow.....if he had played 3 or 4 years, he would have probably ended up as my all time favorite

I'm kinda like LTDuke fan.....if I keep thinking about it, I would keep changing it....just too many to choose from to settle on 3
 
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T

TheDude1

Heisman
Apr 15, 2010
8,726
11,199
0
DukefanKY said:
Nolan Smith- really enjoyed watching his game grow year after year.

Langdon - Such a great shooter and exciting to watch

Quinn Cook - pretty much same reasons as Nolan. He just kept getting better and better.

That's my top 3 but I have to mention Winslow.....if he had played 3 or 4 years, he would have probably ended up as my all time favorite

I'm kinda like LTDuke fan.....if I keep thinking about it, I would keep changing it....just too many to choose from to settle on 3
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Ohhhh, didn't even consider Quinn. Love that kid. I remember when the team took a trip to Saudi Arabia... Quinn was blown away by the car in the fish tank. Loved it. Only moment I didn't love was when he popped his jersey at UNC. Silly, I know, but I was always an "act like you've been there before" type:) Still, great kid.
 
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S

SwatX1

Heisman
Jan 4, 2011
8,339
10,583
68
TheDude1 said:
Ohhhh, didn't even consider Quinn. Love that kid. I remember when the team took a trip to Saudi Arabia... Quinn was blown away by the car in the fish tank. Loved it. Only moment I didn't love was when he popped his jersey at UNC. Silly, I know, but I was always an "act like you've been there before" type:) Still, great kid.
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If he had gotten to play more, I believe Kyrie would have been in my top 3. We missed out on some VERY exciting play from a great player because of his injury....maybe missed out on a title too
 
L

LongTimeDukeFan

All-Conference
Nov 20, 2009
4,424
1,714
97
DukefanKY said:
Nolan Smith- really enjoyed watching his game grow year after year.

Langdon - Such a great shooter and exciting to watch

Quinn Cook - pretty much same reasons as Nolan. He just kept getting better and better.

That's my top 3 but I have to mention Winslow.....if he had played 3 or 4 years, he would have probably ended up as my all time favorite

I'm kinda like LTDuke fan.....if I keep thinking about it, I would keep changing it....just too many to choose from to settle on 3
Click to expand...

Dang! There you go. Feel stupid for not remembering Quinn Snyder. Great guard, great leader.
 
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L

LongTimeDukeFan

All-Conference
Nov 20, 2009
4,424
1,714
97
Thomas Hill.....Robert Brickey....Antonio Lang....Jon Scheyer...Brian Davis....Jeff Capel....

Geez....stick a fork in this thread.
 
T

TheDude1

Heisman
Apr 15, 2010
8,726
11,199
0
DukeRulesBasketball said:
I’m surprised no one has mentioned Carrawell yet. Came of the bench his freshman and sophomore years and played well and worked hard, then was a major contributor on that loaded 98-99 team, and a key player his senior season as well.
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Hah! I actually mentioned him earlier as a possible alternative to another player. CWell and Nate both fill a somewhat similar role for me... badass kids who gave it all for Duke and went from little-heralded role players to all-ACC types.
 
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D

dukiejay

Heisman
Mar 2, 2005
11,293
16,311
0
TheDude1 said:
Only moment I didn't love was when he popped his jersey at UNC. Silly, I know, but I was always an "act like you've been there before" type:) Still, great kid.
Click to expand...

I agree. It was the only part of the celebration after that game I didn't like. It's not a big deal at all....but I'd just prefer you not do it.
 
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T

TheDude1

Heisman
Apr 15, 2010
8,726
11,199
0
timo0402 said:
Yes he was. Hell of a player.
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Yep. Nate was 3rd team All ACC, and was I think the only player to win five ACC conference titles.

dukiejay said:
I agree. It was the only part of the celebration after that game I didn't like. It's not a big deal at all....but I'd just prefer you not do it.
Click to expand...

Funny how those little moments stick in some folks head, you know? But we all love Quinn; kid is all heart.
 
D

dukiejay

Heisman
Mar 2, 2005
11,293
16,311
0
I just remember the UNC players doing it in Cameron in 2009. I didn't like it. It would seem a little hypocritical if I gave Quinn a pass.
 
T

TheDude1

Heisman
Apr 15, 2010
8,726
11,199
0
dukiejay said:
I just remember the UNC players doing it in Cameron in 2009. I didn't like it. It would seem a little hypocritical if I gave Quinn a pass.
Click to expand...

Was that this one...?



That dancing *******.
 
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S

skysdad

Heisman
Mar 3, 2006
42,753
22,653
0
Back in the pre Coach K day some of my favs were Art Heyman, Jeff Mullins, Jack Marin, Bob Verga,Dave Golden, Mike Lewis, Randy Denton, Dick DeVinzio, Willie Hodge, Gorge Moses, Bob Fleisher, Bob Bender, Tate Armstrong , Kenny Dennard and Vince Taylor. Until Coach K came along and started the really consistent BIG time recruiting these guys were the greatest Duke players ever. Now with the exception of Heyman they aren't considered in the top 15 or 20 players of all time. Just think if Duke basketball is around another 40 or more years will guys like Laettner, G. Hill, Irving, J.J., Hurley, Dawkins and the top OAD's be considered top Duke players. OFC
 
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T

TheDude1

Heisman
Apr 15, 2010
8,726
11,199
0
Mac9192 said:
That one doesn't bother me. The one that was over the top was whatever year that was that
Blacktar Jai, or whatever the idiot's name is from the Holes, jumped up onto the scorers table and made that slice jesture across his throat towards Mrs. K and family
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Makhtar N'Diaye. Guy was a real class act. Also falsely accused someone of calling him the N word. Also held up a sign asking "Where's Duke?" when UNC was in the Final Four.
 
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