Comparing this year's team to last 2 years.....

[hart2chesson]

I know its early, and I generally don't like to compare teams because its such an inexact science. However I love this team, and will even say that after a loss. I see CHEMISTRY, I see UNITY, I see a DUKE FIRST, NBA LATER mentality amongst this group.

All of us can have different opinions and thats what makes our forum so enjoyable. However, in my eyes this edition of Blue Devils is free of the pitfalls of the last 2 years. '16-'17 had injuries sure, but I always felt a tension between Kennard/Tatum and a tug of war in terms of needing the ball....Ultimately I think it helped lead to our downfall. Also there were reports of a running disagreement of sorts between Jackson's dad and Coach K.

Last year, wow where do you start with the tension? Do you start with the late recruitment of Bagley, his wearing of a retired jersey, cancellation of Dominican trip, the Carter parents sideshow, Duval tweeting pics at halftime, believe me I could go on, but you get the idea...

This year how do you NOT LIKE the make-up, personality and chemistry of the team. Zion smiling, a TRUE TEAM FIRST PURE POINT GUARD, Barrett shoots frequently sure, but HE DISHES THE ROCK OFF as well! Theres not a force feed mentality of getting the ball inside to one player(it seldom got kicked back out), and relaxing on D.....

Rant over I love these guys!!!!

OFC

 

[QC Dukie]

Excellent post Hart. Spot on

 

[Bela84]

What makes them special to me is that they remind me of the Duke teams in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. They already have bought into making that extra pass to get a teammate a wide open shot.

 

[skysdad]

Good insight hart. OFC

 

[hart2chesson]

Excellent post Hart. Spot on

QC thanks sir! Lets kick UNC'S a$$ today!!!

OFC

 

[hart2chesson]

Good insight hart. OFC

Sky thanks buddy-

OFC

 

[bullcity gamer]

Hart, you are spot on with your post man. To me it just seems that the players enjoy playing for one another. They are all sharing the rock and understand their roll. Hopefully when the team faces adversity, the players will play with the same mentality and attitude. If that’s the case then look out!

 

[SwatX1]

Well stated Hart....I agree, this team seems, so far, to have a chemistry that we haven't seen for awhile

 

[hart2chesson]

bullcity,DukeKy- appreciate the very kind words.....Glad you agree...

OFC

 

[Showenuff]

hart, I'll have to break your post down into three sections...true, true and true.

 

[dukiejay]

I hope you’re spot on, Hart. Silly things happen, though. Most the precautions you listed weren’t issues after one game in either of the prior seasons.

Two years ago was just total dysfunction. We could point to so many directions it’s not even worth the space.

Last year the dysfunction came to light more after the season. There were some things during the year, but we’ll have those this season, too. That’s every year.

But, I will say, there doesn’t appear to be any disconnect with this group. The upperclassmen know there’s no question who the alphas are, and the alphas know they’re not backseat guys. So I think, in a sense and as weird as it may sound, having this dynamic is maybe a good thing? On the surface, that seems to be the case.

 

[Showenuff]

Yea, it feels a little reckless to call this team anything just yet , but early indications are as Hart reports, they look happy, connected, and built for speed. They seem to be having more fun than any team in quite a while. And the natural ability outstretches any in many many years. I know its frowned upon to be hugely optimistic here at times, but damn man, how do you not look at this sports car and not KNOW it performs?

 

[hart2chesson]

Insightful, thoughtful comments dj and show......I will agree dj- its very early....I just have a gut feeling K feels better about the harmony and commitment of this group...Just a hopeful hunch...I like the sports car comparision show!

OFC

 

[LouisiAaron]

The difference between this team and the last few teams is mostly mental. The killer mentality in these kids set them apart. When your top 2 players are that intense and refuse to lose it trickles down to everyone else on the roster. They’ve even convinced Bolden to play hard. Cam is slowly moving towards the mindset of Barrett and Williamson. When he fully let it hang out, this team won’t be stopped. Special talent with a hate-to-lose mentality

 

[hallside]

I honestly think we've had the most talented roster in the country 3 of the last 4 years. 2015 resulted in a title and it had a lot to to with players being "secure" like Coach K has been saying. The last 3 years we've had great talent but there always was a lot of 1 on 1 in the halfcourt. This year will be different with the motion offense, and these guys seem to be buying in to the "next pass is the best pass" mentality.

Here's to hoping the defense becomes as scary as the offense. Which it could be.

 

[DukeRulesBasketball]

What makes them special to me is that they remind me of the Duke teams in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. They already have bought into making that extra pass to get a teammate a wide open shot.

And....they are playing defense like the late 90’s early 2000’s teams. It’s about dang time!

 

[topps coach]

I certainly hope that all of you are right but it is only one game.Let them play a few games and face some adversity before we anoint them as one of all time great teams

 

[df64]

Agree with everything about this year's team. One of the biggest keys is at the pt guard. 15 and this team had a steady, pass 1st point guard. The Jones brothers can look great by being unselfish. They would be hurting themselves if they did otherwise. Not blaming Trevon. That teams pieces just didn't fit as well. It was not Bagleys or anyone else's fault either. Same with the previous year. Put either Jones on those teams and I bet 90% of the chemistry issues go away and Bagley ant Tatum would be all time favorites for many on this board.

 

[Mac9192]

Way too early to say what these kids will do. It is very encouraging thinking this group may have fun playing together, and if the kids all like each other, chances of success increase.
Overall, it’s about team and not individual play. Last season’s team had a couple guys that I think were more concerned about their own stats.
Duval’s stats against Michigan St last year were 17 pts, 10 assists, and 6 steals. We were singing his praises. I’m not saying he had a good attitude or didn’t, but I think he wasn’t ever the real point guard he could have been due to our setup with the two bigs.

Grayson had too much on his plate as well. He wasn’t the same player with Bagley in the lineup as he was without him. The funny thing to me is that, of the four freshmen, Carter, was the most team oriented.

I was high on that bunch early in the season, but it just never flowed like I thought it should. But my god, they were talented.

As fans lucky enough to pull for a team that’s getting top talent, maybe we are due for another great ending.