That’s what I figured he would do. It’s not a bad decision. I don’t think he’s going to get very favorable feedback and I’d expect him back at Duke next season as a captain.
E.J Montgomery
- Thread starter Duke=Boom!
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That’s what I figured he would do. It’s not a bad decision. I don’t think he’s going to get very favorable feedback and I’d expect him back at Duke next season as a captain.
Remember when being a stud at Duke was more appealing than being a second round draft pick?
Paging Duval, Trent, possibly Bolden....
Don't really agree, though. The average 2-year contract for 2nd round picks is something in the $1.5M range, if I recall. That makes it a pretty easy decision if you're dead-set on going pro and/or are concerned a 2nd year in college will expose you.
I think there are some recent cautionary tales for guys coming back - Miles Bridges, Grayson, Diallo to name just a couple. Those guys didn't improve and their draft stock has fallen.
I would love for Trent to come back but can't imagine he will. I think he can look at a guy like Quinn and decide to get his 2 years in the G League started ASAP so he can get to the NBA when he's 21 instead of 25. Sucks for us as Duke fans but hard to fault the logic if the NBA is where he wants to be.
The NBA is bigger than ever, and the $$$ in the NBA are larger than ever. It's completely sucking up college basketball. Just the way it is. Pay the college players and maybe it makes Bolden's decision to return a bit easier...
I don't know about you guys but I can't watch the NBA. Haven't since Jordan played. It's hard to get emotionally attached to a bunch of guys who make a zillion dollars a season, IMO. But, I can't say I would stay in college either if I had the chance to make that kind of dough.
Yes, I believe Bolden will declare for feedback but at best he is a 2nd rounder, and that is unlikely. Not saying he can't be a NBA player, just saying NBA needs to see more out of him and see him fully healthy...
I'd bet good money that he would get taken late 2nd. That's not what the young man wants though. Someone his size needs more of an upfront guarantee. If he can manage a few 15/15/5 blocks games, he'll get first round money and be in much better shape contract-wise. If he goes undrafted, then he's looking at living in Europe for a while and big guys don't like flying.
Bolden's game does not fit the modern NBA at all. There are an abundance of really good bigs that ride the bench in today's league, teams now only play 1 big-man, and for a lot of stretches, don't play any bigs, bigs clog the lane too much.
Our problem is that Bolden is a workout warrior. That is why he was rated so highly during the McD's game. He's huge, has long arms, and moves incredibly well for a guy his size. His problem is effort and focus during a game. But during workouts, when he's is peak physical condition, he's going to impress some coaches. No, the NBA isn't gagging for guys like Bolden. But he's got the length they covet. It isn't insane to think some NBA team would like him at the end of the first round. Bolden looks like a guy that COULD turn into a solid bench post in 2-3 years, and maybe a starter after that. Not star, but quality rotation guy. I'm not saying I believe that to be the case, but it is a possibility.
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Also, given Bagley's success, I wouldn't be shocked if Vernon doesn't reclassify and head to Duke this summer. I'm not crazy about EJ because I think he's too weak in the areas we need re: D and Rebounding. Carey is that sort of C-Webb esque monster that would fit in perfectly with our current class.
His value would go up with rebounding success and if he can disrupt a ton of shots. I think he can do that for 20-25 mpg next year. He'll off ball most of the time with a clear path to the rim for tip in and easy dunks.
This I agree with. Next year's Duke team sets up perfectly to fit around Marques. He will be the 5-man, and can have the paint to himself. Zion will play 4 and be more of a slasher/dunker.
Marques's freshman year was hamped by injuries. Sophomore year he was stuck behind 2 lottery pick bigs. His junior year will be the year he finally lives up to his #1 Center recruit ranking.
Vernon carey is extremely lazy on d and a avg rebounder. But gifted as they come on offense. I'd prefer stewart a hard worker on both ends.
If we lose Trent and Bolden I'm going to be sad. I don't mind guys leaving but why does EVERYBODY have to leave?
I agree with both posts. Will he be rational about his prospects or not? Too many players chase the scenario wherein they become stars, rather than rationally figuring out their best role in the NBA. Bolden would be a mid first round player if he'd focus on getting 9+ boards and protecting the rim. That does presuppose K institutes some type of D that doesn't involve Bolden running all over the court.
Not highly ranked? He was somewhere between the 55th and 85th ranked player in the class, depending on the ranking service. Maybe for Duke's perennial top 10 signees a top 75 recruit isn't highly ranked, but at all but maybe two or three programs in the country, landing a recruit like that is a great get.
Villanova showed what the winning formula is: get 6 or 7 guys who are smart passers, like to play some D and can all shoot threes. Anyone we recruit (that is not one and done) should fit that bill. Alex O'Connell, Jordan G, Jack White, Justin Robinson all fit that bill. Jav was great for us, but needs a J to be dangerous on both ends. He's an energy guy, but will he ever start? I feel like his shot isn't terrible. maybe we'll see more next year. Being able to can 3-pointers and then turn around and harass the crap out of ball handlers or block shots is what works.
I hope your right about Javin. Feel like every 3 he took this year was an air-ball. And they were WIDE OPEN looks. You could pull some one out of the crowd and they are at least hitting the rim on a wide open three.
I'm starting to figure he's just a super ultra athlete, and most college players that are super athletes, never can shoot. At this point, if he becomes a Theo Pinson level 3 point shooter, that's a huge win for us, but I'd even bet against that.
He was a 45% shooter from 3 in high school, but only took 1 or 2 per game. He averaged 20 ppg on 60% FG, but made his name on the glass, passing and blocking shots. He doesn't have a scorers mentality. I just hope he starts gunning 3's when they sag off of him. That would make him a draft-able player.
That’s like saying you’d rather have Amille Jefferson over Tatum or Bagley because he plays harder in defense.
We won a title with Amile playing critical minutes, right?
Frank the Tank will tell you so! Amile's D On him during the stretch Jah was on bench saddled w/foul trouble was pivotal factor in that title game...OFC
But to be a champion, you have to have guys like Zoubek, Jones, Jefferson, Thomas... role players are as important. That's an area of concern, we seem to be getting alphas. Will they mind not scoring much, diving for a loose ball, focusing on stopping an opponent over scoring, for the sake of the team?
http://kentuckysportsradio.com/main/the-curious-case-of-e-j-montgomery-and-other-names/
According to this KSR writer, Duke exploring other options but still keeping an eye on Montgomery.
According to this KSR writer, Duke exploring other options but still keeping an eye on Montgomery.
Duke has been loaded with teams just like for years and still flamed out in the tournament because they consistently suck at rebounding. On that note, Villanova absolutely loses this year if not for their rebounding. Texas Tech would have destroyed them if not for the glass.
Nova had what every team wants, 5-7 guys that could do a little of everything all working as a unit.
Tre and Gary and Bagley each had major gaps in their game. Tre's was vision and shooting, Gary's was vision and moving without the ball, and Bagley's was defensive positioning. I'm happy those young guns were still good enough to help us to a top 10 finish and some early season magic.
NBA draft rankings aren't completely indicative of college success. We'll likely have all 5 starters get drafted in the 1st round, but we didn't win it all. I'd love a reworked recruit ranking that ranks recruits based on COLLEGE value rather than NBA value. I'd expect Zion to be top 20, but not top 3, for example. Tre Jones may end up being number 1 in such a ranking.
Thank goodness. Makes no sense for him to come to Duke. Hopefully this also means the staff is confident that Bolden is coming back.
Yea I didn’t care either way on Montgomery! If he comes cool, if he doesn’t no big deal!
Curious as to where you’re seeing this? I feel I’m pretty plugged in to this kind of stuff and I haven’t seen it mentioned anywhere?
I agree.. but Gary & Duval are leaving to be 2nd round picks.. and Frank last year.. things have changed.
nbadraft.net has Gary 16 and Trevon 23 right now.
I don't know if anyone realizes this. But there is this thing called the Draft Combine. You all should read up on this a bit more...
Say a guy is projected early second round, and he has a great workout, Trevon seems like a workout warrior btw, than guess what, he usually moves into the first round. Amazing.
I don't know if anyone realizes this. But there is this thing called the Draft Combine. You all should read up on this a bit more...
Say a guy is projected early second round, and he has a great workout, Trevon seems like a workout warrior btw, than guess what, he usually moves into the first round. Amazing.