All-Time Underappreciated Dukies?
- Thread starter TheDude1
- Start date
Heaps was head coach of the New England Revolution of the MLS until he was fired a few months ago.
Laettner? He thought it was his job to be a Marine Drill Instructor, break down his teammates and rebuild them in his fiercely-competitive, take-no-prisoners image.
Obviously, he had K's at least tacit permission. One time Hurley came to K's office, complaining about Laettner. K's response was why tell me? Tell him.
Hurley stood up to Laettner and told him to back off. He backed off. Grant Hill basically ignored him and ran his own race. brian Davis become little Laettner.
Parks chafed.
Laettner? He thought it was his job to be a Marine Drill Instructor, break down his teammates and rebuild them in his fiercely-competitive, take-no-prisoners image.
Obviously, he had K's at least tacit permission. One time Hurley came to K's office, complaining about Laettner. K's response was why tell me? Tell him.
Hurley stood up to Laettner and told him to back off. He backed off. Grant Hill basically ignored him and ran his own race. brian Davis become little Laettner.
Parks chafed.
How about the all time underappeciated team? 87-88 team had Jon Smith, Ala Abdelnaby, Billy King, Greg Koubek, Kevin Strickland, Phil Henderson, Quin Snyder, Robert Brickey all contributing at a significant level. Brickey and Strickland were studs. Even Danny Ferry was and continues to be underappreciated even though he was player of the year the next year. This team beat UNC at the Smith center-2nd time in 22 years- and went to the Final Four.
Last edited:
Ferry was ACC POY in 1988 and 1989.
I would nominate the 1987 team. Duke had lost Dawkins, Alarie, (D) Henderson and Bilas from the 1986 team. Folks were predicting that Duke would have trouble making the NIT. Duke was unranked in the pre-season AP poll and was picked sixth in the ACC.
Tommy Amaker was the lone returning starter. He upped his scoring, while becoming national defensive player of the year. Ferry led Duke in scoring, rebounding and assists. But it was a group of 1986 reserves-Kevin Strickland, Billy King, John Smith, Quin Snyder--who elevated their games. Senior Marty Nessley and freshman Robert Brickey added depth.
Duke went 24-9, third in the ACC, losing a competitive game in the Sweet Sixteen to eventual champions Indiana.
Prior to that season, the narrative was that Mike Krzyzewski had built one great team. After that, the narrative was that Mike Krzyzewski had built a great program.
This thread could also be titled "Name which role players you really liked."
Lee Melchionni.
Lee Melchionni.
Sky I totally agree. In most lists of all time Dukies, Ferry is not mentioned in spite of 3 FFs and the individual awards and stats.
Agree with you Sky. His 58 point game against Miami in 88 was unbelievable. He wasn't flashy, but knew how to play.
Imagine someone scoring 58 now for Duke.
Whether it's fair or not, it shows the overall value us fans place on winning the national title.