Giles, Tatum, & Bolden

[KentuckyCat420]

Does anyone know what the deal is? I find it so strange that Duke gives no information at all why these guys aren't playing.

I know why Giles out, he's had like 3 knee surgeries and I'd be shocked if the people around him are at least not thinking about having him sit out the year and enter the draft based on his current hype. I give it a 50% shot he plays this year.

But Tatum and Bolden, what are they out with? I remember Tatum hurting his foot/ankle during the preseason scrimmage but haven't heard any diagnosis or timetable at all. Same with Bolden, is he hurt or is he out for disciplinary reasons? I just don't understand how there's no information on these guys being out.

 

[GonzoCat90]

Apparently they're injured, although it must be at least relatively severe for them to hold those guys out of such a big game.

Against Nobody Tech, fine, rest a guy with tightness or soreness. But in a game like that, anybody who's on the fence at least tries to warm up and go.

I'm sure all three will be fine long term and back within a few games, but they're all three legitimately hurt right now, in my opinion.

 

[TheOtherGreatOne]

Does anyone know what the deal is? I find it so strange that Duke gives no information at all why these guys aren't playing.

I know why Giles out, he's had like 3 knee surgeries and I'd be shocked if the people around him are at least not thinking about having him sit out the year and enter the draft based on his current hype. I give it a 50% shot he plays this year.

But Tatum and Bolden, what are they out with? I remember Tatum hurting his foot/ankle during the preseason scrimmage but haven't heard any diagnosis or timetable at all. Same with Bolden, is he hurt or is he out for disciplinary reasons? I just don't understand how there's no information on these guys being out.

Giles was the number one recruit in the country although he never played a game. Shouldn't he have led duke to a victory by just showing up and sitting on the bench since he is that good

 

[Catclass15]

walk in to a bar...

 

[Bkocats]

walk in to a bar...

[laughing]

 

[Seesaul]

Disciplinary lol. In the last 20 years, hell ever, they have had what 1 guy punished for anything by the coach. We all know its only cause k only recruits such fine student athletes and hes the innovator that showed how one and dones can win championships

 

[sambowieshin_rivals]

 

[jrpross_rivals]

Giles has a yeast infection, Tatum is getting a second opinion on his mammogram, and Bolden is still PMSing.

 

[Double Oaked Juice]

Does anyone know what the deal is? I find it so strange that Duke gives no information at all why these guys aren't playing.

I know why Giles out, he's had like 3 knee surgeries and I'd be shocked if the people around him are at least not thinking about having him sit out the year and enter the draft based on his current hype. I give it a 50% shot he plays this year.

But Tatum and Bolden, what are they out with? I remember Tatum hurting his foot/ankle during the preseason scrimmage but haven't heard any diagnosis or timetable at all. Same with Bolden, is he hurt or is he out for disciplinary reasons? I just don't understand how there's no information on these guys being out.

Five Words: The Privacy Act of 1974

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Apparently they're injured, although it must be at least relatively severe for them to hold those guys out of such a big game.

Against Nobody Tech, fine, rest a guy with tightness or soreness. But in a game like that, anybody who's on the fence at least tries to warm up and go.

I'm sure all three will be fine long term and back within a few games, but they're all three legitimately hurt right now, in my opinion.

I'll stay in the doubter group with Giles until he proves otherwise. In 3 years he's played 1 year of competitive ball, and now yet another surgery to "clean up" his knee and that has him out months longer. I'd be utterly shocked if the kid is ever fine. I hope he is but I won't be expecting it, certainly not this year.

 

[Joneslab]

I'll stay in the doubter group with Giles until he proves otherwise. In 3 years he's played 1 year of competitive ball, and now yet another surgery to "clean up" his knee and that has him out months longer. I'd be utterly shocked if the kid is ever fine. I hope he is but I won't be expecting it, certainly not this year.

I feel the same, though I will also say when I watched him in high school he was a jaw-dropping freak of nature who I think (if healthy) could be the best player in the game this year even if he only played half the season.

I don't "fear" any player. Let the chips fall and all that. But Giles is really the only one of those three that gives me pause as a UK fan. I'm not as high on Tatum as some, though I think he's very good and will stat. Bolden will give them necessary post depth. But Giles...he's different. I wouldn't mind it at all if his people hold him out all year.

 

[turkeywildturkey]

Does anyone know what the deal is? I find it so strange that Duke gives no information at all why these guys aren't playing.

I know why Giles out, he's had like 3 knee surgeries and I'd be shocked if the people around him are at least not thinking about having him sit out the year and enter the draft based on his current hype. I give it a 50% shot he plays this year.

But Tatum and Bolden, what are they out with? I remember Tatum hurting his foot/ankle during the preseason scrimmage but haven't heard any diagnosis or timetable at all. Same with Bolden, is he hurt or is he out for disciplinary reasons? I just don't understand how there's no information on these guys being out.

I don't have an answer for that, but they're pretty damn good, even without 3 of their best players. They have to be the odds on favorite to win it all. Wouldn't want to face them in March.

 

[irishcat1965]

I don't have an answer for that, but they're pretty damn good, even without 3 of their best players. They have to be the odds on favorite to win it all. Wouldn't want to face them in March.

I disagree. I want to play them in March or April. We will own their guards.

 

[MychalG]

What I thought was funny, was seeing them all on the bench dressed in matching suits and ties..Guess that is the Duke way..They looked like sales men for IBM..

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Giles has a yeast infection, Tatum is getting a second opinion on his mammogram, and Bolden is still PMSing.

Pretty sure I heard UTI for Tatum.

 

[PhattyJ4UK_rivals309166]

I don't have an answer for that, but they're pretty damn good, even without 3 of their best players. They have to be the odds on favorite to win it all. Wouldn't want to face them in March.

Yet they got beat last night by a team that couldn't buy a 3

 

[LostinIndiana]

Coach Crybaby will absolutely push Giles to play this year. I would be shocked if he doesn't suit up and play sooner than later, especially after the loss that they took last night. Except for about a minute and half Duke was dominated by a team that was in deep foul trouble and whose front court was seen to be vastly inferior. K is not and never will be a player's first coach. You don't beg great players to return to your program even if they ware sure first round draft picks unless you have your own interests at heart.

 

[stoneycat_20]

I don't know, but I'd sure love to have Bolden along side of Bam..Hump has a long ways to go..He's 7' and plays like he's 6'7
Fox
Monk
Briscoe
Bam
Bolden
would win a title

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I'll stay in the doubter group with Giles until he proves otherwise. In 3 years he's played 1 year of competitive ball, and now yet another surgery to "clean up" his knee and that has him out months longer. I'd be utterly shocked if the kid is ever fine. I hope he is but I won't be expecting it, certainly not this year.

Arizona player just retired after his 3rd knee injury. I'm sure his were worse to some degree.. but there's nothign certain with Giles. Will he be ready, will his abilities be reduced, will he give 100%, will he get injured again.

I can tell you this, he's not going to come back in 2 months and be the same recruit he was 2 years ago. Zero chance of that happening. He's missed too much HS basketball and time to walk into the college game and dominate like Duke fans think he will.

I put my crystal ball predictions at 80%. Giles will be 80% of what he was.

 

[56gregory7]

Does anyone know what the deal is? I find it so strange that Duke gives no information at all why these guys aren't playing.

I know why Giles out, he's had like 3 knee surgeries and I'd be shocked if the people around him are at least not thinking about having him sit out the year and enter the draft based on his current hype. I give it a 50% shot he plays this year.

But Tatum and Bolden, what are they out with? I remember Tatum hurting his foot/ankle during the preseason scrimmage but haven't heard any diagnosis or timetable at all. Same with Bolden, is he hurt or is he out for disciplinary reasons? I just don't understand how there's no information on these guys being out.

May have been injured during "flopping instruction"... maybe not

 

[CatEye2010]

Yeah, that's a Durham law firm next door to Dewey, Screwem and Howe

 

[bgognat02]

Does anyone know what the deal is? I find it so strange that Duke gives no information at all why these guys aren't playing.

I know why Giles out, he's had like 3 knee surgeries and I'd be shocked if the people around him are at least not thinking about having him sit out the year and enter the draft based on his current hype. I give it a 50% shot he plays this year.

But Tatum and Bolden, what are they out with? I remember Tatum hurting his foot/ankle during the preseason scrimmage but haven't heard any diagnosis or timetable at all. Same with Bolden, is he hurt or is he out for disciplinary reasons? I just don't understand how there's no information on these guys being out.

You must not have payed much attention or looked at all. They released statements last week about all 3 and talked about it several times last night. Giles is practicing, but is limited in certain drills. Likely be a few more weeks before he makes an appearance. Tatum is still recovering from the sprained ankle but is expected be back in the next couple games. Bolden "woke up" with leg pain in one of his lower legs but they didn't say much other than they were going to give him a couple weeks and run more test.

I personally think Tatum is the only one of the 3 to help them much this year. While Giles was very skilled, we will have to wait and see how 2 major injures and several procedures have impacted him. Obviously he is injury prone and if they bring him back too quick or he tries to do too much for them it's likely not ending well for the kid. Bolden got way too much hype from this board during his recruitment. He's not a game changer, at least not currently. He's got great length, but as we've seen with Skal and every Louisville big since Pitino, that's not enough to dominate. He's pretty slow, doesn't appear to have a great motor and while he has decent natural post skills, he still has a ways to go before consistently contributing at this level.

As we saw last night Princess Gracie, Jackson and Kennard like getting theirs, or at least attempting to. Mix Tatum and Giles with that and you've got 5 guys all expecting to get theirs offensively. I don't even know where to begin on defense. The whole team except for maybe Jeter all looked slow and uninterested in that part of the game. He wasn't exactly good either, he just looked like he was trying on that end of the court at least. Outside of some late 3's they were getting dismantled by a smaller KU team that got shown up by IU. Now, I think IU is definitely a better team than most thought this year, but a front court that struggled with them shouldn't have tore up Duke like KU did.

You all can fear them all you want, but we tore up their back court last year. while Ulis was a great floor general our back court is much longer, quicker and more explosive this year. Duke's backcourt
Would be in absolute chaos mode against us. Give Gabriel, Bam, humphries and Willis time to gel and grow and we will likely be more dominant than them in that area too. Even in the event their frontcourt does end up better than ours, it's not going to be anywhere near enough to offset our glaring backcourt advantage.

 

[Wall2Boogie]

You guys are under estimating bolden he's the 7th overall pick next yr and NBA draft.net is never wrong! Tatum will be back in a few games just to hopefully screw up team chemistry. I don't think Giles will play till the 2nd semester even if he is practicing and all. Too much is at stake to have him come back early and risk getting hurt again plus duke will want him for the final stretch which should also mess with their team chemistry. It will take that team a while to play together once all are healthy. As we know you can't just throw in a bunch of studs and expect them to play team ball right away especially with Tatum. The only way you will get the ball from him is if you catch his brick.

 

[UK’98UK’00]

I don't know, but I'd sure love to have Bolden along side of Bam..Hump has a long ways to go..He's 7' and plays like he's 6'7
Fox
Monk
Briscoe
Bam
Bolden
would win a title

What is the point of a post like this?

 

[stoneycat_20]

What is the point of a post like this?

OK ill break it down a little maybe you will understand..Im saying Hump is 7' tall but plays 6'8..Thats why i said I wish Bolden had picked us...Is that simple enough for you...

 

[Federal Cat]

So what you guys are saying is we will destroy Kansas in Rupp and Duke has no chance when we meet in the tourney[winking]

 

[bgognat02]

OK ill break it down a little maybe you will understand..Im saying Hump is 7' tall but plays 6'8..Thats why i said I wish Bolden had picked us...Is that simple enough for you...

Bolden wouldn't see much time here this year. Way too slow and motor is lacking. He's got the potential, but if you're foolish enough to think he's contributing much this year you don't know much about basketball. He may end up getting minutes because of the Giles situation, but it'll be a low production.

 

[stoneycat_20]

Bolden wouldn't see much time here this year. Way too slow and motor is lacking. He's got the potential, but if you're foolish enough to think he's contributing much this year you don't know much about basketball. He may end up getting minutes because of the Giles situation, but it'll be a low production.

haha if you think he wouldn't play before Hump you know very little about bb...word out of Duke was he was killing it over the summer ..Its all hypothetical ..We'll run with Hump...

 

[bgognat02]

So what you guys are saying is we will destroy Kansas in Rupp and Duke has no chance when we meet in the tourney[winking]

I think the KU game will actually be another good one, much like last year. They are going to have some issues in the post, but their backcourt and jackson will be great most games. That backcourts is tough as hell. We should be quicker and I think we have more potential in ours, but toughness can get you a long way.

Duke is more a victim of the media hype machine than anything. They just aren't going to be what people have built them up to be, Even when they are healthy. They weren't good last year and they lost their best player. While Tatum can replace some of that it's still going to take him time to get there. Allen and Kennard can score, however, their defense is atrocious and when they face even decent defenders their production on offense drops considerably. Matt Jones is a good defender and spot up shooter, but not great at either. Jefferson is their only proven low post threat and he's a fifth year player if that tells you anything. While he has good games he's not a consistent threat in the least. Jeter tries hard but let's be honest, he's awful! Jackson seems to be a player and could be a real star for them, but you aren't going to make Allen or Kennard happy taking minutes from them and Jones is your best back court defender, so taking his minutes hurts even more. The most glaring part is none of them are point guards. I don't really see how coach K can manage that situation successfully. As I've said Bolden is a true freshman and will play like it. Defense is going to be an issue for him, as will running the floor consistently and playing hard every possession he is in the game. He'll get there, just not this year. The we are left with the enigma that is Harry Giles. No one really knows what he is going to look like if he returns at all this year. He hasn't played competitive ball in over a year. Who knows if he's still the same player at all. After all, this was his 2nd major knee injury. Plus, if he had played last year would he have still been able to stay ranked ahead of the other bigs in the class? I'm sure a few of them have started closing the gaps in talent and development level. So he may not have looked as impressive at that point. I could end up being dead wrong but I honestly don't see this Duke team being as good as the hype machine has built them up to be.

 

[bgognat02]

haha if you think he wouldn't play before Hump you know very little about bb...word out of Duke was he was killing it over the summer ..Its all hypothetical ..We'll run with Hump...

Haha, he wouldn't which is why he isn't here, but keep telling yourself whatever you need. And I remember the legend that was Matt Pilgrim, how Ryan Harrow was killing people with his handles, how Skal was the next Davis. Hell, even this year it was how much Willis has come along and how briscoe and Dom haven't missed a shot. Summer hype tells me nothing and game play tells me everything. The kid can't even play because he woke up and his leg " kinda hurt" one day. I'll take the kid that's actually played a year of college ball and seems tough as nails over Bolden at this point. In a year or two it might be a different story.

 

[Crawfords Corner]

Bolden would struggle to get minutes here. He's a small step better defensively than Okafor was. At least with Okafor you had guaranteed offense.

 

[bgognat02]

Bolden would struggle to get minutes here. He's a small step better defensively than Okafor was. At least with Okafor you had guaranteed offense.

Exactly!! The kid wanted to be here but saw the writing on the wall. Bam and the 3 guards are all getting minutes. Then Willis will get his because of leadership and his ability to stretch the d with his shooting. He is also crafty offensively in the paint. When he gets his head on straight he can rebound pretty reliably as well. He's just another good *** chewing away by his dad from really getting going. Dom will also be getting minutes because if defensive effort and leadership. Gabriel, while raw, is super Versatile and isn't sitting too much. Then you have Humphries who may not have the ranking and possible potential that Bolden has, but he is better and more experienced now. He's also trimmed down and can run the floor much better than Bolden. Bolden probably would beat SKJ out for minutes at the point, but it's not like SKJ is going to be getting a ton anyway. Now after a year of learning, training and practicing he will probably be a solid big next year. However, we likely retain some depth at the post positions and have already recruited 2 more for next year. When you compare that to Duke, who is without Giles for who knows how long, maybe all year, and Jeter who sucks, it's not hard to see he's going to have far more opportunity for playing time there. This year and next.

 

[UK’98UK’00]

OK ill break it down a little maybe you will understand..Im saying Hump is 7' tall but plays 6'8..Thats why i said I wish Bolden had picked us...Is that simple enough for you...

No dumba$$ it isn't, as I'm afraid we're fresh out of time machines. The team we have is the team we have. I wish I was still a widdle baby and my mommy would wipe my butt hole. Grow up and live in reality land. Is that simple enough for you?

 

[Ben101er]

I think they will be a lot deeper when these guys return, but I am not convinced they will be better. Neither Giles, after the surgeries, or Bolden, are as good as Jefferson. Tatum will be in the rotation, but I am not sure that he is better than who they are playing. I think that they will have more options, but, since they can only put five on the floor at one time, I don't think their starting five will be any better than what they put on the floor against KU.

 

[BlueBlood66_rivals34314]

I think they will be a lot deeper when these guys return, but I am not convinced they will be better. Neither Giles, after the surgeries, or Bolden, are as good as Jefferson. Tatum will be in the rotation, but I am not sure that he is better than who they are playing. I think that they will have more options, but, since they can only put five on the floor at one time, I don't think their starting five will be any better than what they put on the floor against KU.

I mean you can spin it a lot of ways. But Duke was without two probable lottery picks and another NBA player. If that was Kentucky and some one tried to say they wouldn't be better when those players came back what would you say?

Kansas had 14 offensive boards to Dukes 3. Kansas had 18 more FG attempts than Duke. That doesn't happen with those guys back.

I don't know if Duke will be as good as some people think. Probably not. But they will absolutely be better than they were without those guys.

 

[Montana81]

Im certain Tatum is better. He is going to make them better. He is a 6'8-9ish small forward and he is a better scorer than anyone in their current lineup. He just can do things that no one else on that team can.

They have no front court depth without Giles and Bolden. If Tatum gets back before those guys they'll use him as the 4 and Jefferson as the 5 and Jeter as the backup.

It's just so hard to say how much of an impact Giles is going to have. He hasn't played in 2 years. We just don't know.

I also am not convinced Bolden is a major impact guy. He just seems soft and slow to me. I think he would do well against certain teams but I think any decent big man with a motor would probably eat him alive. We'll see how much his time on Dukes campus has changed him soon enough. That said, if Giles can't or doesn't go then Bolden is going to get at least backup minutes.

I think he ultimately doesn't have a huge impact this season and comes back for next season and possibly even his junior year because I don't see him playing over Wendell Carter either.

I've been wrong before however.

 

[GLR5555]

What I thought was funny, was seeing them all on the bench dressed in matching suits and ties..Guess that is the Duke way..They looked like sales men for IBM..

Preparing for the next level.

 

[bgognat02]

I mean you can spin it a lot of ways. But Duke was without two probable lottery picks and another NBA player. If that was Kentucky and some one tried to say they wouldn't be better when those players came back what would you say?

Kansas had 14 offensive boards to Dukes 3. Kansas had 18 more FG attempts than Duke. That doesn't happen with those guys back.

I don't know if Duke will be as good as some people think. Probably not. But they will absolutely be better than they were without those guys.

There's actually no guarantee of any of that. Jefferson is their best proven rebounder and he was in the game and only manged 4 rebounds the entire game. Sure they have more size to put in the game when those 3 return, but size does not always equate to rebounds as we've seen first hand last year and so far this year. You seem to forget they can still only play 5 at a time when those 3 come back. So if you sit Jefferson you're losing a solid player and proven rebounder. Tatum is far more interested in shooting it worry about rebounding much. Unless Bolden has developed a lot of speed these last couple weeks, I don't see him being quick or high motor enough to be a consistent threat anywhere on the court. Giles is still a huge ?. He may come in and be everything he's been hyped to be, he may come in and be an avg freshman, he may never come in, he may end up hurt again.... no one knows at this point.

The real problem for Duke at this point is where are they going to get shots for these guys when they return. Allen and Kennard combined for 25 of their shots, while Jackson and Jones added 12 more. The post players only attempted 10, which tells you at this point the backcourt has no emphasis on feeding the post. When add Tatum to that it's going to be an absolute mess of shooters. So at that point you really have to wonder where touches for Giles, Bolden and Jefferson are coming from. They sure better hope they are excellent rebounder, as that is very likely the only way they are going to be able to get many touches in the post.

The other issue you fail to point out is that Allen, Jackson and Kennard all still played. I credit Jackson for that late 3 and he had another earlier in the game at a crucial time, but aside from that he didn't do squat besides pick up 4 fouls. Allen was horrible and he's supposedly a POY candidate. He struggles with any kind of length or speed defending him, and basically forces the issue and/or turns it over. Kennard got his, but I'm not sure KU was really focusing much on him.

Defensively they are very foul prone do to their lack of speed. Teams will easily exploit that all year. Against KU they only played 7 guys and 2 of those likely won't see the floor when the other 3 return. That is placing a lot of expectations on a guy who hasn't played in over a year and is coming back from his 2nd major knee injury, another player who loves to shoot the ball and rarely sees a shot he doesn't like to take and another big who plays on the slower side and has a low motor.

 

[BlueBlood66_rivals34314]

There's actually no guarantee of any of that. Jefferson is their best proven rebounder and he was in the game and only manged 4 rebounds the entire game. Sure they have more size to put in the game when those 3 return, but size does not always equate to rebounds as we've seen first hand last year and so far this year. You seem to forget they can still only play 5 at a time when those 3 come back. So if you sit Jefferson you're losing a solid player and proven rebounder. Tatum is far more interested in shooting it worry about rebounding much. Unless Bolden has developed a lot of speed these last couple weeks, I don't see him being quick or high motor enough to be a consistent threat anywhere on the court. Giles is still a huge ?. He may come in and be everything he's been hyped to be, he may come in and be an avg freshman, he may never come in, he may end up hurt again.... no one knows at this point.

The real problem for Duke at this point is where are they going to get shots for these guys when they return. Allen and Kennard combined for 25 of their shots, while Jackson and Jones added 12 more. The post players only attempted 10, which tells you at this point the backcourt has no emphasis on feeding the post. When add Tatum to that it's going to be an absolute mess of shooters. So at that point you really have to wonder where touches for Giles, Bolden and Jefferson are coming from. They sure better hope they are excellent rebounder, as that is very likely the only way they are going to be able to get many touches in the post.

The other issue you fail to point out is that Allen, Jackson and Kennard all still played. I credit Jackson for that late 3 and he had another earlier in the game at a crucial time, but aside from that he didn't do squat besides pick up 4 fouls. Allen was horrible and he's supposedly a POY candidate. He struggles with any kind of length or speed defending him, and basically forces the issue and/or turns it over. Kennard got his, but I'm not sure KU was really focusing much on him.

Defensively they are very foul prone do to their lack of speed. Teams will easily exploit that all year. Against KU they only played 7 guys and 2 of those likely won't see the floor when the other 3 return. That is placing a lot of expectations on a guy who hasn't played in over a year and is coming back from his 2nd major knee injury, another player who loves to shoot the ball and rarely sees a shot he doesn't like to take and another big who plays on the slower side and has a low motor.

We'll leave Giles out.

So can you clarify whether or not you think Duke will be a better team if they add Jayson Tatum and Marques Bolden to their current 6 man rotation?

 

[bgognat02]

I do agree the 3 gives them several More options lineups wise, I still see basically the same result with any lineup they go with. Jackson, Jones, Tatum, Jefferson and Giles would probably be their best lineup if all healthy. I get that Jones and Jackson aren't the offensive threats that Allen and Kennard are, but they can both be much better defensively and still shoot it well enough. Tatum will probably end in the same mold as justice and the kid they got drafted last year. He'll be pretty good defensively and be more of a slasher by seasons end. Jefferson, while not great or always consistent, is at least a decent defender and rebounder who knows the system and goes pretty hard. Then IF, and it's a big IF, Giles goes and is healthy he obvisouly mans the post. Kennard and Allen off the bench will piss both off considerabley and may break allen altogether, but it does give them two shooters/scorers even if they can't defend. Bolden would be the 8th man for me, he can be serviceable in certain games and situations, but he won't get more than 7-8 minutes a game unless Giles just can't go.