Bolden

[Jacket4]

Bolden has taken alot of grief some deserved some not over the years. The kid has been hurt and his development/confidence was definitely effected because of the injuries.

Watching him play with so much confidence last night was great. His first shot was awful and i was afraid he would let it effect his whole game, but instead he kept at it. Worked hard inside and played a low key darn good game along with the rest of the team.

To see him do it against UK a fan base that has bashed him since his decision just brought a smile to my face. Hopefully he can use this game and build off it, he could be Dukes X factor down the road. We know what we have with the big 3 and tre, if bolden can give us production then its a clear path to a ship.

 

[HuffyJB]

I was having that conversation earlier today: MB had 7 and 4, yet it might have been his best game in a Duke uniform when you consider everything.

 

[Jacket4]

I was having that conversation earlier today: MB had 7 and 4, yet it might have been his best game in a Duke uniform when you consider everything.

Its not just the stats. It was his body language his gate the way he carried hisself. It was the first time he looked like he belonged on the big stage.

 

[PatrickYates]

His play before he was initially taken out for Jav was horrendous. He was non existent on the boards and playing D. When he came back in, he completely turned it around. He made the right moves on D, he fought for boards, and he was judiciously assertive.
.
By judiciously assertive I mean that he knew when to get out of the way and let the frosh wings go to work. He provided timely assistance on the boards, and hedged on screens to near perfection.
.
Play like this is great, for a number of reasons. Solid play by a C on the boards and on D will help Duke go far. Further, it will help him immensely (which could help Duke down the road). Play like last night is what the NBA wants from its centers. Sure, they'd all love a Davis, Embiid, or Ayton. Or the defensive equivalent of the guy from Utah who is a defensive ace. But there are few of those guys to go around, and those teams aren't exactly taking down NBA titles, or even competing for them. Teams that compete have competent bigs that defend, rebound, and work with perimeter oriented schemes chock full of multi-positional, and multi-skilled, wings.
.
Like Duke. Duke will run the type of offensive scheme that every single NBA team desires to run, aka the GSW, BOS, and Rockets style of play. By necessity, our D will be similar to how those teams operate. And Bolden, by excelling in a complimentary/supporting role, could show himself to be the type of big man that those teams need. I could see him working into the late first round of the draft if he plays like this all year, and he'll go.
.
And despite any feelings about early entry or team building, or whatever, we should all be proud and happy when a young Duke player realizes his dream to make money in the NBA.
.
Which would clear the decks for one Vernon Carey. Folks, a PG to be named later (after last night, some kid that have "eliminated" Duke might change their minds), AOC, Baker, Moore, Jack White, Jav, and Carey is a legit team. Depending on the PG and Baker's development, that is a top 10-15 team preseason, and a dangerous team come March. Bolden heading to the pros opens a clear path for Carey. I legit think his biggest worry about Duke is the potential presence of a senior Bolden. Not that Carey wouldn't beat Bolden out, but Bolden would push for a lot of minutes. Bolden gone to the pros (in what would be correctly termed a rebuild by Duke) would clear a path for Carey at Duke.

 

[skysdad]

He will be an asset to this team. OFC

 

[Showenuff]

His inbound play where he cut back against the grain for the dunk made me yell . Was glad to see it.

 

[timo0402]

Bolden has great presence last night. He had a few moments where he made a silly play or foul but immediately realized it. Shook his head in a “that’s on me” and moved to the next play. That is some great maturity. Hope it continues.

 

[Jacket4]

Bolden has great presence last night. He had a few moments where he made a silly play or foul but immediately realized it. Shook his head in a “that’s on me” and moved to the next play. That is some great maturity. Hope it continues.

Exactly. As a big it is like a right of passage that you're going get caught in a bad position or get a bad play. Ita almost like playing db in college eventually you're gonna get burned. The good players always find a way to move onto the next play something bolden has struggled with. Seems he gets in these woes is me ruts. Last night he just jept playing and banging and working. By far his most impressive effort he has displayed.

 

[Jacket4]

His play before he was initially taken out for Jav was horrendous. He was non existent on the boards and playing D. When he came back in, he completely turned it around. He made the right moves on D, he fought for boards, and he was judiciously assertive.
.
By judiciously assertive I mean that he knew when to get out of the way and let the frosh wings go to work. He provided timely assistance on the boards, and hedged on screens to near perfection.
.
Play like this is great, for a number of reasons. Solid play by a C on the boards and on D will help Duke go far. Further, it will help him immensely (which could help Duke down the road). Play like last night is what the NBA wants from its centers. Sure, they'd all love a Davis, Embiid, or Ayton. Or the defensive equivalent of the guy from Utah who is a defensive ace. But there are few of those guys to go around, and those teams aren't exactly taking down NBA titles, or even competing for them. Teams that compete have competent bigs that defend, rebound, and work with perimeter oriented schemes chock full of multi-positional, and multi-skilled, wings.
.
Like Duke. Duke will run the type of offensive scheme that every single NBA team desires to run, aka the GSW, BOS, and Rockets style of play. By necessity, our D will be similar to how those teams operate. And Bolden, by excelling in a complimentary/supporting role, could show himself to be the type of big man that those teams need. I could see him working into the late first round of the draft if he plays like this all year, and he'll go.
.
And despite any feelings about early entry or team building, or whatever, we should all be proud and happy when a young Duke player realizes his dream to make money in the NBA.
.
Which would clear the decks for one Vernon Carey. Folks, a PG to be named later (after last night, some kid that have "eliminated" Duke might change their minds), AOC, Baker, Moore, Jack White, Jav, and Carey is a legit team. Depending on the PG and Baker's development, that is a top 10-15 team preseason, and a dangerous team come March. Bolden heading to the pros opens a clear path for Carey. I legit think his biggest worry about Duke is the potential presence of a senior Bolden. Not that Carey wouldn't beat Bolden out, but Bolden would push for a lot of minutes. Bolden gone to the pros (in what would be correctly termed a rebuild by Duke) would clear a path for Carey at Duke.

Yes if bolden plays well and goes pro it opens up more time for Casey. But i think Casey is coming regardless. Its the possibility of getting a Stewart with Casey thats up in the air. If Bolden leaves i think we have a good chance at seeing both. Bolden stays we will be just fine but i only see Casey coming in.

As far as pg idk if jones will build enough a reputation to get drafted like his brother. Fantastic ball handler and passer, but needs to show a consistent jumper all year. But who knows. If he does go pro i expect a 2020 guard to reclassify before another changes his mind.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

His And-1 about 10 min into the game where he hit a backwards layup was awesome. His defense was really good too.