Alright, so I literally re-watched every second of every Canada and Exhibition game so far. I am of the opinion RJ definitely ends up ACC leading scorer this season. His determination to score is unmatched man. And when he decides he's going, he's either getting fouled or he's scoring. His size, build and court demeanor just never really hit me until last night watching close. Damn dude is a basketball machine. I've heard lots of people question his shooting and 3 pt shot, I don't know why. Zion will probably end up with some of the greatest highlight plays in Duke history, but he won't end up with more points than RJ. This kid is built to score, he's got that junkyard dog mentality, and he won't be denied. I am SO happy we landed this kid. If he stays healthy, no matter what happens, we've got a chance.
RJ Barrett !
- Thread starter Showenuff
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His will to win is my favorite thing about his game so far. He just flat out COMPETES every minutes he's on the court. I don't see him having any real freshman slump at any point this season. There may be times where his efficiency dips, but he's still going to get his. He's a really willing passer which is great to see because that's not always seen in guys with his mentality.
When I saw his face in Countdown to Craziness that’s when I knew we had something different on our hands. The intensity that he and Zion plays with is something we haven’t seen in a few years. They play angry but controlled and I love it. I think we might have three 20-point scorers this year. Or Cam might average 18. With the pace we will play and the attacking style those 3 will get a lot of shots every game. A lot of free throw attempts as well
I haven't forgotten the video somebody posted here right after we lost to Kansas. He said something to the tune of "I'm hurt too, but don't worry, next year, we bringing it home".....I think he really believes that. He has that mentality....I love that killer instinct
I think it's a good thing if this season turns into a race for the #1 draft spot between Zion and RJ. I think the NBA values space, dynamic scoring and passing just as much as it ever did. Curry-style play is the model, not Allen Iverson ball hogging. Zion and and RJ are easily the best duo in the country. We pair those studs with two great passing, elite level guards in Tre and Cam... it's just sick what this group might accomplish if no egos get in the way and the ball goes to the hot hand. If RJ and Cam are hitting threes and Zion gets an open lane, we are damn hard to beat, even for other great teams.
Even a "mental midget" like @skysdad can understand what I'm saying.
Even a "mental midget" like @skysdad can understand what I'm saying.
I don't think he leads the ACC in scoring. Per 40, yes, but not in the actual PPG. We've got too many pieces, and will probably be in too many blowouts wherein he plays "only" 30ish mpg.
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Further, RJ seems like a kid who is a real student of the game, with a great hoops IQ. I think he realizes that NBA wings have to be more than pure scorers on offense. He realizes that they need to be perimeter marksmen and facilitators. I think he's eager to show that he's well rounded. I think this realization is what drove both Zion and RJ to pick Duke, so that they'd have the wing partners needed to showcase more than pure scoring ability.
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As such, RJ won't relentlessly and ruthlessly hunt his own shot all game long. Thus, he won't win the scoring title.
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Further, RJ seems like a kid who is a real student of the game, with a great hoops IQ. I think he realizes that NBA wings have to be more than pure scorers on offense. He realizes that they need to be perimeter marksmen and facilitators. I think he's eager to show that he's well rounded. I think this realization is what drove both Zion and RJ to pick Duke, so that they'd have the wing partners needed to showcase more than pure scoring ability.
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As such, RJ won't relentlessly and ruthlessly hunt his own shot all game long. Thus, he won't win the scoring title.
While we have a couple of threads going on Zion and RJ I would like to remind the Kentucky fans we stole your top 3 targets. Keep holding on to Partrick Patterson and....Deez Nutz.....
I love our team. AND FIRST AND FOREMOST, THEY ARE A TEAM!
Check your egos at the door. This is not to take away from the confidence they have, they just know if they are driving and whoever They have guys who just want to win in RJ, Zion and Tre... I think Cam is playing harder than I expected, but K will expect it out of him. You just can't turn that motor on and off... I hope Cam realizes that. He is very talented and he has to follow the other 3 in effort. Lay it all out there!
We know Javin will hustle his butt off and make winning plays. As long as he does enough offensively he will be a great asset too. Hopefully the light is coming on for Marques... I think KPlay hard or ride the pine. Jack plays the right way, rebounds, hustles and can shoot the open 3. AOC gives a lot of effort but is still a bit limited physically. But he plays hard and can help them.
Check your egos at the door. This is not to take away from the confidence they have, they just know if they are driving and whoever They have guys who just want to win in RJ, Zion and Tre... I think Cam is playing harder than I expected, but K will expect it out of him. You just can't turn that motor on and off... I hope Cam realizes that. He is very talented and he has to follow the other 3 in effort. Lay it all out there!
We know Javin will hustle his butt off and make winning plays. As long as he does enough offensively he will be a great asset too. Hopefully the light is coming on for Marques... I think KPlay hard or ride the pine. Jack plays the right way, rebounds, hustles and can shoot the open 3. AOC gives a lot of effort but is still a bit limited physically. But he plays hard and can help them.
IMO I believe we’ve got the best quartet of players/starters in the country and like the SI cover said, when you add Joey Baker into the mix, we’ve got one of the best freshmen classes ever.
The kid has mamba mentality. If he can get to 38-40% from behind the arc watch out.
If he shoots that from three we'll be utterly unguardable. A zone won't work against us, and M2M defense will get extended, open up driving lanes, and then, well, good luck brah.
I was gonna start a new thread about this but I'll just let the RJ thread keep pushing along. This was brought up on the Devil's Den Podcast and is an excellent point....
This year's team has the best chance to have a magical year because our 4 best players already are certain where they stand in regards to the NBA draft. What I mean is....RJ, Cam, and Zion are all top 5 picks regardless of how their season goes, provided nothing absolutely terrible happens, which it won't. But RJ, Cam, and Zion don't have anything to prove, their past speaks for itself. They don't need to force shots to score 25 a night, or gamble for steals to show defensive greatness, they can just be themselves.
Tre should know where he stands too, he is at best a fringe 1st rounder and his play this year probably won't change that.
Last years team- Marvin was the only sure top 5 guy, everyone else had to prove it out on the court, including Grayson. I do think this led to certain poor play such as Gary Trent JR occasionally showing poor shot selection.
2017- Tatum was the only sure top 5 guy. There are some rumblings that Luke Kennard was a big reason that team never clicked, he saw his name show up in the lottery on mock drafts and made sure he scored 20+ a night to keep his name up there. Grayson seemed to press most of the season too and took countless terrible shots.
2016- Chemistry was fine, we just didn't have the horses.
Again, my point....the past 2 seasons we were loaded in talent, but we had certain guys making sure they got their numbers in order to stay on draft boards. That is not the case this year, our big 3 could take a poop on center court and they still are gonna all be top 5 picks.
This year's team has the best chance to have a magical year because our 4 best players already are certain where they stand in regards to the NBA draft. What I mean is....RJ, Cam, and Zion are all top 5 picks regardless of how their season goes, provided nothing absolutely terrible happens, which it won't. But RJ, Cam, and Zion don't have anything to prove, their past speaks for itself. They don't need to force shots to score 25 a night, or gamble for steals to show defensive greatness, they can just be themselves.
Tre should know where he stands too, he is at best a fringe 1st rounder and his play this year probably won't change that.
Last years team- Marvin was the only sure top 5 guy, everyone else had to prove it out on the court, including Grayson. I do think this led to certain poor play such as Gary Trent JR occasionally showing poor shot selection.
2017- Tatum was the only sure top 5 guy. There are some rumblings that Luke Kennard was a big reason that team never clicked, he saw his name show up in the lottery on mock drafts and made sure he scored 20+ a night to keep his name up there. Grayson seemed to press most of the season too and took countless terrible shots.
2016- Chemistry was fine, we just didn't have the horses.
Again, my point....the past 2 seasons we were loaded in talent, but we had certain guys making sure they got their numbers in order to stay on draft boards. That is not the case this year, our big 3 could take a poop on center court and they still are gonna all be top 5 picks.
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If any of them take a poop at center court, I hope it is March 9th!!
I agree with this whole heartedly. Not that he’s as good as Kobe, but the dude is a cerebral, alpha assassin. Some guys are guys that “won’t be stopped,” but that’s only occasionally. RJ will make it a personal vendetta to never be stopped and if he is, he’s going to work to make sure it never happens again. Hence, his crazy 1,000 threes a day routine this summer in LA.
The last Duke player that had that mentality was Jason Williams, and he wasn’t too bad of a player.
Everything you mentioned about R.J. is why I've switched from hopeful, as I was the last two years, to optimistic this year.
I remember Coach K in an interview talking about Laettner. He said there's a difference between players who want to win and players who will do anything to win, and that Laettner was the latter.
I think R.J.'s in that same mold. And that coupled with his skill set... well, I'm excited to see how it plays out.
I think Zion may well be similarly competitive while we're on the subject. He seems to have a tremendous combination of competitiveness and a genuine love of playing that will do nothing but enhance team chemistry.
Flat out baller! Zion is a beast and RJ just has that mentality where he refuses to lose going to be a lot of fun this season
Well, post Kentucky, seems all of our feelings are coming to light.
Mostly all of my UK buddies texted me during our beatdown in amazement of RJ. They all said he's the best college player they have seen since Anthony Davis. And they will be shocked if he's not a hall-of-fame guard.
I tried telling them the beatdown was coming, and that RJ can't be stopped, maybe people will start listening to me.
I tried telling them the beatdown was coming, and that RJ can't be stopped, maybe people will start listening to me.
I wasn't able to see the exhibition games over the Summer, so other than some highlight reels online I hadn't seen much of RJ until the Kentucky game.
I know it's a one game sample, but........
Oh my!! What an unbelievable combination of strength and finesse around the rim!!! Then he steps back and hits some threes. Unguardable, will not be denied. All the stuff I have been reading seems to be truth.
We are blessed to be Duke fans!
Alan
I know it's a one game sample, but........
Oh my!! What an unbelievable combination of strength and finesse around the rim!!! Then he steps back and hits some threes. Unguardable, will not be denied. All the stuff I have been reading seems to be truth.
We are blessed to be Duke fans!
Alan