wow didn’t expect this!
Joey Baker
- Thread starter Laettner15
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Cue the "he was forced, coerced or etc..."
..and that he is giving up his "Sr." year
..and that he is giving up his "Sr." year
It's all about K. He doesn't care about anyone but himself. The leader of men...
Shooter off the bench? Check.
A five star that should play multiple years? Check.
There’s actually a good chance that nobody can argue if this is good/bad for the Duke program. Everyone wins!
A five star that should play multiple years? Check.
There’s actually a good chance that nobody can argue if this is good/bad for the Duke program. Everyone wins!
There goes the shooter that we lacked even though he won't average more than 10 minutes a game. Shooting is always welcome. Alex and Jack are definitely in a battle for minutes. They are all pretty much the same players.
Dude this is great news! Joey is a good shooter and he will be at Duke next year also, which means he will be really good next year! Wonder where he ranks in this year’s class. ESPN had him at 15 in the 2019 class!
I wouldn’t say Alex and Jack are pretty much the same player.
Joey can play on the perimeter like Alex and he can possibly play some minutes at the stretch 4 like Jack. His skills are similar to both of them. Pretty much if you put those two guys together you make Joey Baker
I'm going to get everyone on the board the undefeated, 6 time champ Duke hats fellas. Only snag I've ran into is some of the hats aren't big enough.
Alright, that sounds good to me.
My apologies, I thought you were saying Alex and Jack were pretty much the same player.
can he play defense? ....in all seriousness - do we need more scoring? Or competition for minutes with those who "put their time in" last year like AOC? Adds to a lot of questions for next season but a good talent addition just more youth..and all the growing pains that come with that
If you’re wondering, Joey will turn 18 in September, making him among the youngest in his class. I entered Duke at the exact same age.
If we go on to win a title in impressive fashion, this would be considered the best class of all time. Just our freshmen have a shot to win it all.
If we go on to win a title in impressive fashion, this would be considered the best class of all time. Just our freshmen have a shot to win it all.
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I am EXCITED about Joey and think he will make a valuable contribution as a Blue Devil. I didnt see his reclassification coming though, and just curious if a potential transfer is looming....
OFC
OFC
Defense is what will most likely limit his playing time next year.
I’m reading possible redshirt? Does that mean another commitment is coming? Maybe a reclassification from the most talented big man in the 2019 class?
In basketball you are your skill set. Its how you get the Draymond Green's, Dirk Nowitzki, Charles Barkley, Larry Johnson, Ben Simmons, Kevin Durant, Lebron James etc. All play the 3-4(cept Ben) but can also play damn near all five positions.
Kyle Singler started his Duke career at the 4 because we did not have adequate bigs. He was able to do so as a freshman because he had a solid back to basket game, but his natural position was and is the 3.
Kyle Singler started his Duke career at the 4 because we did not have adequate bigs. He was able to do so as a freshman because he had a solid back to basket game, but his natural position was and is the 3.
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That's a very interesting thing. Especially with the chance his play time may be limited. Guess it says a lot about the kid, maybe he has that love for Duke similar to Grayson.
I think this is a win win for all involved. He gets to practice against future pros on the wing. That in itself will help him develop for the next level. I'm pretty certain he doesn't have delusions of grandeur about being a one and done. He seems like the type who wants to be the pro possible. Hopefully by his sophmore year he could develop into a Sam Dekker or Gordon Heyward type kid for Duke. And it gives you more scholarships for 2019.
unc fans will get to hate him 1 year earlier. I know that excites them. OFC
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Glad to have him, worried about transfers though. And I'm not gonna lie, we got robbed against Kansas with that BS charge and I will forever be bitter 
lol
lolHoly cats this is exciting. Kid can shoot and we need shooters. Will help the next year with continuity.
Just to confirm your point about not looking to being one and done. Anything can happen obviously
I wouldn't be shocked if he redshirted. I think he and the people around him might have looked at Duke's roster and realized that a year of practicing against our wings next year, and familiarizing himself with Duke's system, might be better than another summer learning bad habits in AAU followed by a senior year playing overmatched HS talent. He plays the same style and position as at least 4 current players, with some overlap of a 5th player (Zion) who is the most gifted athlete in years.
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IDK how much he plays next year. But at least 3 of those guys will leave next year. A year of practice vs them NEXT season, as opposed to HS talent, while living in the weight room, will do wonders for him. I've heard he's grown, and might now be a legit 6-8. He's probably not going to play over guys like RJ and Cam and Zion, nor even AOC and Jack.
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So don't get upset if he takes a RS year. It will be great for him and Duke the FOLLOWING year. This is a smart move for everyone. HS wasn't going to make Baker that much better. Trying to guard RJ and Cam in practice will do WONDERS for him.
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If things go well, he could be a RS frosh around 6-8 and 215-220, with a well rounded skill set who has spent a season guarding 2-3 of the most offensively gifted players outside the NBA. That is a recipe for Freshman AA right there.
Yes, Baker is a solid shooter from the 3 point line. Think this may be why he’s being brought in early. Unlike Zion or Javin, Baker can punish opponents from outside if they try to clog the middle and driving lanes to cut down on Zion, RJ, and Cam drives to the hoop. Qutside of AOC, think Baker comes in as our 2nd best 3 point shooter. That could change depending on the development of Tre, Cam and RJ’s outside shot and game, but AOC and Baker start practice as our best options from outside.
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