Alex O'Connell?
- Thread starter BD Warrior
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Agreed...season still quite young wont surprise me to see K to go 9 deep Tuesday nite, esp. 1st half...OFC
No question Grayson is best playing off the ball. But if you’re asking who makes us better on the ball for a few minutes a game, then I’m picking Grayson over Goldwire 10 out of 10 times. That’s not a knock on Goldwire....it’s the ultimate compliment to our best player and leader.
I just hold the opinion that K won’t go beyond 8 for meaningful minutes, and right now, based on how he’s operated in seasons past, Grayson seemingly would slide to the point and O’Connell would come in as the 8th player.
While I agree with everyone. I do like seeing Goldwire, O'Connell and Javin getting minutes in the first half and second. I can see it two ways:
We go up in the first and K goes to the bench to let the guys breath or we get down and K leaves the starters in to work it out themselves.
I hoping for the first of the two.
We go up in the first and K goes to the bench to let the guys breath or we get down and K leaves the starters in to work it out themselves.
I hoping for the first of the two.
You’re totally right. Leads and fouls will be a big determining factor as to who gets game action.
I like more subs, that way I don't have to listen to a bunch a idiots bringing up tired legs this season.
He was saying if the rotation was limited to 8, he thought Alex had the edge on JG for the 8th spot. I think most of us would be pleased if they were both able to contribute regularly and meaningfully and we had a rotation of 9. Some of us would be surprised, though, just b/c it's not K's tendency, and would rather prepare for the rotation to be cut to 8 by not getting our hopes up.
Grayson isn't as natural a distributor as JG, but he's way ahead of him in experience, leadership, scoring, overall offense, and even defense. If he runs point while Trevon rests, we'll see more iso and fewer overall assists, but it won't be a disaster for 10 minutes or so per game.
I don't want them to average that many minutes per night, but I want them capable of playing 45 minutes per game, if necessary. Playing well in the last minute of OT will depend more on having been pushed hard for as many minutes as possible sometimes more than it will depend on having been rested a lot.
I see what you're saying. I'm not one of those minute watchers. If we need Grayson to play 40 to win, he will. That's not the issue, nor is seeing 10 guys play. I do believe Goldwire running the point for 2-3 minutes, if Duval goes to bench, is better than 2-3 minutes of Grayson running the point. To me it's putting best options out there. Goldwire has proven to be a better player than most thought. He's more than a practice player. There's a drop off from Duval to him, sure, but in my opinion there's more of a drop off if Grayson slides to point.
Like we all know, there will be games when we scratch or heads at the limited rotation and games when we all know the starters had to play extended minutes. I do like the rotation the first two games and the guys getting breathers here and there.
I've been pleasantly surprised by JG. I hope he earns time throughout the season. If I'm doing the guessing, I don't think he'll be a better option than Grayson for a few minutes. If he does earn consistent minutes, great! Either way, K's choice has a 99% chance of being the best choice.
I think a lot of this "true PG" talk is pointless (haha) with this team. Duval isn't CP3 in terms of running a team, but in the first two games it's everyone's willingness to make one more pass that's been great. Couple that with the fact that almost everyone is a threat in one way or another and there will be lots of assist regardless. Hell, the 2 beat passer/playmakers on the team are Bagley and Carter. Just about anyone can throw it to one of them in the post...not PG required. Then spread out and watch the magic happen.
This team has the potential to be really good, and yes we seem to have two good passing bigs, but every good team has a solid point guard. If Duke is going to be really good, Duval must be good so Allen can do his thing from the shooting guard spot.
And Grayson is CONFIDENT in our bench too, including "J Gold."
Five takeaways from Duke’s 99-69 win over Utah Valley on Saturday
http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article184195891.html
OFC
I agree that Duval is essential to ultimate success. I guess all I was trying to say was the times when Grayson might be the PG on paper, does not necessarily exclude him from playing off the ball. There will be many ways for this team to initiate offense in a break situation or the half court.
That alone makes me like the kid! He's going to drive them crazy.
Alex checks all the boxes except for eye test bc he is so thin. Early on, K said that Alex put on 15lbs. We won't see him getting any stronger as the season goes on but in the off season then next year he should be around 185.
He is a player that I really like being at Duke. A talented player who is super intense and a gamer. I'm not saying he will have the same trajectory as Grayson or Luke but I'd hope that he follows their develop pathway and as a Soph explodes on the scene. Problem is he has 3 one and dones in front of him next year.
He is a player that I really like being at Duke. A talented player who is super intense and a gamer. I'm not saying he will have the same trajectory as Grayson or Luke but I'd hope that he follows their develop pathway and as a Soph explodes on the scene. Problem is he has 3 one and dones in front of him next year.
I, also, am very impressed and somewhat surprised with Alex. I love the energy and hustle he brings to the team. He is built like his dad was, which I was a little worried about being thin, but he also has his dad's hops. I believe we are really going to enjoy watching this guy for the next few years. So glad he is a Blue Devil!
I agree with what you're saying. Fast breaks or whatever can be done with several guys. All I'm saying is Duke is at its best if Allen isn't the Primary Ballhandler. He is our leader, best player, but as a point guard I think we have 2 guys better than him.
With all the weapons we have on the court, I want our best 5 out there.
I think J Gold can give us about 3 - 5 solid minutes a game without hurting us. If the game is tight and it's going to be a battle, I would play Grayson over J Gold every time.
I think J Gold can give us about 3 - 5 solid minutes a game without hurting us. If the game is tight and it's going to be a battle, I would play Grayson over J Gold every time.
I am very impressed with him so far. But if the strength and conditioning staff can get him to 185 by next season, they should win whatever award there is for best crew. Alex is VERY thin right now. He looks to me to have quite a ways to go to get to 185.
Agree 100%.
Disagree here. And I don't think it's close. Grayson is much, much better than Jordan Goldwire as a point guard....right now, today. Grayson is an exceptional talent, he's a senior, he's tougher, better getting to the basket, a better shooter and he's versatile. Again, I'm not saying for 35 minutes a night that best suits him, but for 10, even 15 minutes a game, I feel Grayson gives us more than Jordan Goldwire. The only reason I think people prefer Goldwire in that role is because he's a "natural" point guard. I just don't think that makes him a better one.
AOC makes me smile when I see his energy, charisma and love for the game. He's what every kid should be in how he seems to enjoy himself. He will be hated by UNC for sure.
It's situational. If it's really close last 5 minutes of a game and Duval has fouled out, plug Allen in at point, sure. If Trent is in similar situation with Duval, or has 4 fouls, plug Goldwire in at point to save Trent for the last couple. At this point, crunch time is only time I'm skeptical of Goldwire running the point. These are scenarios that could happen, it's just my take that Grayson should be off ball as much as possible. I have no problem with Goldwire running point with 10-12 minutes left.
This is similar to the minutes debate. If Duke is up 4-6 with 5 to go and Grayson hasn't had a break, then he better not go out. Any game that's very competitive, I want to see #3 on the court, and if Duval is lights out, keep him out there too, especially last 10-12 of a game.
Well, Bobby Hurley looked like a scrawny little crybaby ******* when he walked onto campus. He kicked *** as long as *** lasts. Looks ain't everything.
I like your scenario....Crunch time have Grayson at point if Duval fouls out, but most otherwise I could see J Gold there, as we want Grayson at #2 as much as possible.
The thing I like about Grayson at the #2 is.he seems to get his best angles to the hoop from wing as opposed to straight on. OFC
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Hurley and Wojo were two of the toughest players we've ever had at Duke. I like to call people like that "fox hole buddies." Guys like that you can depend on to stick it out no matter what. I'm sure when Coach K was recruiting these guys he saw that in them. OFC
Bobby Hurley was the Chuck Norris of Duke basketball. Kid was tough as nails and didn’t back down from anyone. Hands down my fav all time Dukie.
Alex may be thin but dang his competitiveness is incredible. The kid has a motor, and attitude and a work rate that will allow him to make up for his lack of weight.
I have spoken to several AAU coaches out of GA who say that Alex (and Jordan G) should not be overlooked. One coach said that Alex is in the mold of Grayson and as the season goes on his contribution to the team will definitely be felt.
I have spoken to several AAU coaches out of GA who say that Alex (and Jordan G) should not be overlooked. One coach said that Alex is in the mold of Grayson and as the season goes on his contribution to the team will definitely be felt.