The inevitable question per Bagley....

[hart2chesson]

Luke DeCock of the Raleigh N&O takes a look:

Duke better or worse without Bagley? Blue Devils are definitely different

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/luke-decock/article201487329.html

OFC

 

[BluePhil]

We are playing better because of two things, neither of which have anything to do with Bagley.

1. K has settled on a defense that works well for this team.

2. K has adjusted Graysons role which both helps Grayson score and takes away some of Duvals to prone play.


Sorry only one reason K. I have no doubt with Bagley will improve more.

 

[hart2chesson]

We are playing better because of two things, neither of which have anything to do with Bagley.

1. K has settled on a defense that works well for this team.

2. K has adjusted Graysons role which both helps Grayson score and takes away some of Duvals to prone play.


Sorry only one reason K. I have no doubt with Bagley will improve more.

Blue you're right about K's adjustments. He's done some of his finest coaching these last few weeks....

OFC

 

[nets on nets on nets]

We will be better once Bagley gets back. A couple things...
1. The zone defense should really help Bagley find his niche' defensively, he was struggling getting beat backdoor in the man-to-man and was regularly losing his man for an open three-pointer. His length and athleticism should make our zone even better.
2. Obviously the offense has been fine, and I'm so happy that Grayson is finally playing like he was expected to all season. We still go through stretches in the 2nd half of games where our offense gets flat and everyone stands around, beginning 2nd half last night looked like that again, and then Grayson decided to not miss, I'd rather not rely on that in March. Clemson we almost lost though due to getting really stagnant, Bagley should really help here, he can get an easy basket when it seems like the defense has figured us out.
3. I'm worried for the Syracuse game if Bagley doesn't play, we will destroy that zone by playing him at the foul line nail. Having to play both Duval and Javin/Bolden is not a good zone offense mix, Bagley would fix that.

 

[pisgah101]

The offense has to stay running through Grayson

 

[TheDude1]

We will be better once Bagley gets back. A couple things...
1. The zone defense should really help Bagley find his niche' defensively, he was struggling getting beat backdoor in the man-to-man and was regularly losing his man for an open three-pointer. His length and athleticism should make our zone even better.
2. Obviously the offense has been fine, and I'm so happy that Grayson is finally playing like he was expected to all season. We still go through stretches in the 2nd half of games where our offense gets flat and everyone stands around, beginning 2nd half last night looked like that again, and then Grayson decided to not miss, I'd rather not rely on that in March. Clemson we almost lost though due to getting really stagnant, Bagley should really help here, he can get an easy basket when it seems like the defense has figured us out.
3. I'm worried for the Syracuse game if Bagley doesn't play, we will destroy that zone by playing him at the foul line nail. Having to play both Duval and Javin/Bolden is not a good zone offense mix, Bagley would fix that.

Wendell will KILL that zone, if used properly.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

Wendell will KILL that zone, if used properly.

Where will Javin play? I agree Wendell will kill it, but even better would be Bagley at the nail, Wendell roaming the baseline, or vice versa.

 

[tripleb71]

You can't tell me inserting Marvin in for Javin doesn't make us better. It makes us down right scary.

 

[Mullin5756]

Something fishy is going on with Marvin...i dont know what, but this doesnt sit well. K seemed extra testy answering questions about him last night.

Also made it seem like him playing vs Cuse ain’t happening. Wish we could just move on...

 

[DukeDenver]

You can't tell me inserting Marvin in for Javin doesn't make us better. It makes us down right scary.

This assumes Bagley goes after balls like Jav and plays within the offense. Basketball is a team sport.

 

[pisgah101]

This assumes Bagley goes after balls like Jav and plays within the offense. Basketball is a team sport.

Exactly

 

[2 skerz 3_rivals208847]

This assumes Bagley goes after balls like Jav and plays within the offense. Basketball is a team sport.

Yep that double double he averages is just by chance. Crazy how many balls just come right to him and he never has to give effort to get em........

 

[FLawLesS_NoLe]

This assumes Bagley goes after balls like Jav and plays within the offense. Basketball is a team sport.

Bagley can actually catch a ball cleanly and immediately inflict damage with it. DeLaurier seems to fumble the ball and then takes time to gather himself. Also will then foul somebody.

Bagley is better in every way. Duke will be better too when he returns.

 

[pisgah101]

We were better when Irving came back too right ?

 

[DukeDenver]

Bagley can actually catch a ball cleanly and immediately inflict damage with it. DeLaurier seems to fumble the ball and then takes time to gather himself. Also will then foul somebody.

Bagley is better in every way. Duke will be better too when he returns.

Bagley is more skilled* in every way. There is a difference. It's up to Bagley whether he wants to be better in every way. He certainly should be.

 

[DukeDenver]

Yep that double double he averages is just by chance. Crazy how many balls just come right to him and he never has to give effort to get em........

Yeah he's really hungry when he's about to get the ball and shoot. What about when he's getting back on D or closing out on a shooter? I'm not saying he's lazy, because for long stretches, he's shown great hustle, but I've not once seen Javin or Jack loaf around. Don't try and make this an either/or argument. There are levels to this. Bagley doesn't hustle or look to pass like our role players. That doesn't make him a bad player, especially if coach is asking him to go up with it every time.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

We were better when Irving came back too right ?

Kyrie missed 28 games, Marvin has missed 4....
Kyrie was a PG needed to run an offense, Bagley is a velociraptor eating every rebound.....

 

[JBsmoove2]

We are playing better because of two things, neither of which have anything to do with Bagley.

1. K has settled on a defense that works well for this team.

2. K has adjusted Graysons role which both helps Grayson score and takes away some of Duvals to prone play.


Sorry only one reason K. I have no doubt with Bagley will improve more.

I think both have to do with Bagley actually. Grayson has been a monster all year when Bagley is out, whereas he is shooting 35% and 25% 3PT in acc play with him. Defense is also improved because Bagley is not a plus defender and now with Javin in there it's a true 4 man instead of two 5's trying to defend both forward positions

 

[skysdad]

Just put in Marvin and let Grayson run the show like he has since Marvin's been out. We will be better with Bagley. OFC

 

[pisgah101]

Just put in Marvin and let Grayson run the show like he has since Marvin's been out. We will be better with Bagley. OFC

If it goes like that I agree. Nearly unstoppable if so actually

 

[kwyjibos13]

First of, anyone assuming we are better is guilty of posthoc ergo propter hoc. After, therefore, because of this. Duke playing better is because they are in a more comfortable defense and Grayson found himnself.

 

[dukesince91]

If we can just continue to share the ball when Bagley comes back and not stand around and watch, we will be extremely hard to beat. Too me the difference is our defense and ball movement which has Coach K's fingerprint all over it.

 

[Mac9192]

It will be good to have Marvin's talent, just so as long as the way we're playing doesn't change. As many have already said, Grayson must stay aggressive.
The one thing that really is unique is our 3 headed monster, Bolden, Delaurier, and White. This brings up the hot debate with many Duke fans about K and the bench. With Bagley out, their minutes are up, and it looks like they're getting more comfortable as well. I think we all know had Bagley not gotten hurt, they wouldn't be playing as much as they are.
To me, this is why you play these guys, and even though Bagley is much more skilled than they are, no one can deny the hustle we get out of these guys. Plus they know what their role is. Much easier to look better with more game experience.

We may have only lost 5 games, but these last 4 the guys seem to have a good bond out there. It's hard to explain, but this team looks like the Duke team we have been impatiently waiting for.

 

[LetsGoDukies]

I am ecstatic with how our defense has improved after going zone! But I'm still concerned with teams that move the ball well and get open looks and can shoot us out of it. Will we switch back to man in that situation and be doomed?

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

We were better when Irving came back too right ?

yeah....it wasn't kyrie's fault that Nolan shot 3 for 14......irving scored 28......zona was just on fire that 2nd half...imo

 

[Mac9192]

yeah....it wasn't kyrie's fault that Nolan shot 3 for 14......irving scored 28......zona was just on fire that 2nd half...imo

The chemistry changed once Irving came back. We barely beat Michigan the weekend before. The team, and most notably, Nolan, changed once Irving came back. That's a fact. Talent is huge, but talent with chemistry is better.

 

[DukeDenver]

There must be at least a 5% chance Marvin shuts things down for the year. He will be at worst the 2nd pick right now.

How about this? Bagley inserts himself into this winning streak seamlessly and starts to look for the best opportunities rather than trying to overpower his guy every time. If Bagley is up blocking shots and passing the rock on 50% of his touches, we'll never lose.

The way Tre and Grayson would reset at the top and pass back and forth to one another three and four times tells me we are finally playing for each other. There seems to be so much more trust now. That pass by Jav when he was diving for the loose ball and kicked it to Grayson was so sick. That's Duke basketball. Hopefully we get there earlier than February next year.

 

[Quavarius]

Something fishy is going on with Marvin...i dont know what, but this doesnt sit well. K seemed extra testy answering questions about him last night.

Also made it seem like him playing vs Cuse ain’t happening. Wish we could just move on...

Then you've obviously have never been around K when it concerns injuries to his players.

 

[pisgah101]

yeah....it wasn't kyrie's fault that Nolan shot 3 for 14......irving scored 28......zona was just on fire that 2nd half...imo

He completely screwed the dynamic of that team

 

[Quavarius]

Oh God, not the Kyrie debate. I'm sorry, but if the No. 1 pick is available and you choose not to play him and then lose, you'd hear it about it for the rest of your life. Supposed it leaked that Kyrie was available and K didn't play him and we still lost to Zona, 100% of you would say "why didn't K play him?" I know you wouldn't give a damn about chemistry had we lost and knowing we could've used him.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

Oh God, not the Kyrie debate. I'm sorry, but if the No. 1 pick is available and you choose not to play him and then lose, you'd hear it about it for the rest of your life. Supposed it leaked that Kyrie was available and K didn't play him and we still lost to Zona, 100% of you would say "why didn't K play him?" I know you wouldn't give a damn about chemistry had we lost and knowing we could've had him.

This. Arizona beats us by 30 without Kyrie, with Kyrie we at least kept it respectable.

Also, we sit Kyrie and it looks poor in the media. Do we get Austin Rivers? Tyus? Jah? We may be one title less and still getting the Greg Paulus's of the world.

 

[DukeDenver]

Are we in Antarctica, because it just got polarizing in here.

 

[Quavarius]

This. Arizona beats us by 30 without Kyrie, with Kyrie we at least kept it respectable.

Also, we sit Kyrie and it looks poor in the media. Do we get Austin Rivers? Tyus? Jah? We may be one title less and still getting the Greg Paulus's of the world.

Right!

 

[LouisiAaron]

We're better with Bagley. Top 3 in the country in points, rebounds, assists, offensive efficiency. The offense is not more free flowing without him. Our assist average has gone down a little without him. He makes us better. Right now we are a top 10 team without him. With him we are the favorites. We didn't have a true defense back when he was playing. We now have a primary defense that we focus on. It'll be easier for him to slide in. He has been taking mental reps the last few weeks on how to play the zone at his position. We know he has all of the skills to produce at a high level. And he will come in and average his same 20 and 10. Everyone else just needs to keep playing the way they have been playing and we're good

 

[BlueDaveil]

There must be at least a 5% chance Marvin shuts things down for the year. He will be at worst the 2nd pick right now.

I’m not sure that’s necessarily true. A lot of draft projections I’ve seen lately have him at 4th or 5th even though I think he should be 1st or 2nd. And with the way Trae young has been playing lately MBIII could be making a really strong case right now for NPOY. I feel like he still has a lot to play for but I guess you never know... The interviews with his teammates lately all suggestested they are expecting him back so I feel like if he has a plan to sit it would be news to them as well.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

Loose balls: There has been a general team effort these past 4 games of getting all of the loose balls, this was REALLY noticeable last night: Jack and Javin got everything. Even Trevon stuck his nose in there on a few plays and come up with the loose balls, we got everything last night. This was the exact opposite of the SJU and UNC games, they got everything. I think an argument can be made that Javin and Jack may go harder after a loose ball than Marvin, but still....give me Marvin.

Defense: This is annoying. Marvin was bad in our man-to-man defense in the games leading up to his injury...but...Javin was worse. Javin had a 2 week stretch (right before the zone) where he couldn't be on the floor, because he was getting torched on defense, and the offense is always gonna be a liability with him. The zone defense made it easy for Javin to be effective, Bagley should be even more elite in the zone.

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

The chemistry changed once Irving came back. We barely beat Michigan the weekend before. The team, and most notably, Nolan, changed once Irving came back. That's a fact. Talent is huge, but talent with chemistry is better.

i get chemistry and all that, but chemistry doesnt make you miss shots imo......the michigan game nolan had a great game....kyle was so-so....seth had a goose egg....kelly had a very good game for him at that point...plumlees werent factors....kyrie only took 4 shots but was 9/10 fts......michigan shot well...50%fg 33%3pt 90%ft and had 5 guys in double figures

 

[JBsmoove2]

We're better with Bagley. Top 3 in the country in points, rebounds, assists, offensive efficiency. The offense is not more free flowing without him. Our assist average has gone down a little without him. He makes us better. Right now we are a top 10 team without him. With him we are the favorites. We didn't have a true defense back when he was playing. We now have a primary defense that we focus on. It'll be easier for him to slide in. He has been taking mental reps the last few weeks on how to play the zone at his position. We know he has all of the skills to produce at a high level. And he will come in and average his same 20 and 10. Everyone else just needs to keep playing the way they have been playing and we're good

Don't know about that. With him wasn't Duke in a slide and literally every poster on here is saying Duke isn't the favorite anymore? Duke's offense has never been an issue this season. It's the defense that is stepping up recently and Grayson. Duke is the favorite if Grayson plays like he is right now with Bagley on the floor.

Duke is the most talented team in the country with Bagley. We've seen flashes of them being the best team but I'd like to see how Grayson plays with him back. If he's gonna shoot 35% and 25% 3PT like he was in ACC play with Bagley then Duke won't come close to winning it all.

 

[Quavarius]

WE ARE NOT WINNING AN NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP WITHOUT BAGLEY!

 

[DukeDenver]

I’m not sure that’s necessarily true. A lot of draft projections I’ve seen lately have him at 4th or 5th even though I think he should be 1st or 2nd. And with the way Trae young has been playing lately MBIII could be making a really strong case right now for NPOY. I feel like he still has a lot to play for but I guess you never know... The interviews with his teammates lately all suggestested they are expecting him back so I feel like if he has a plan to sit it would be news to them as well.

5% chance isn't exactly high. It's definitely a consideration in his camp. Bagley could sit out, workout with the best trainers out there, not walk around going to classes and then show out at the Draft combine where passing isn't a priority. I don't care what the big boards are saying. His draft stock would be 1st or 2nd no matter who has the pick. I've heard the arguments for Jackson, Young, that Euro guy, etc. In the end, no team is going to pass on Bagley because of his offensive dominance. He's way too big of a draw for fans. Nobody gives a crap about free throw %. That can be taught, especially considering how pretty his jumper looks. He's not a great shooter, but when he hits 3s, he doesn't hit the rim. The guy has a good stroke.