Thursday, May 31, 2007
Taken For Granted?
According to Katz, Anthony Grant is the likely successor to Billy the Kid at Florida. Name sound familiar? Yes, Duke fans it's the same guy who coached VCU this year and ended your season in brutal heartbreak. Florida fans should consider themselves lucky to get such a hot young coach but they probably will curse Donovan instead...
Billy The Kid-der
I said it, my brother said it, Watson said it, and you know what, it came true. We all knew Billy Donovan wasn't seriously staying at Florida. Once Corey Brewer, Al Horford, Joakim Noah, and Taurean Green said bye bye so did Billy. Losing out on the much documented Patrick Patterson sweepstakes couldn't have helped. However, he lost out on Patrick because Patterson knew better than to believe his sordid lies. How can Billy ever look Jai Lucas in the face again after lying to him point blank?
Orlando was the perfect NBA home for Donovan. He doesn't have to move his family from the state of Florida where he just built a Catholic School that his son attends. The money didn't hurt either. According to ESPN (see I document my sources), it's a 6 year/$36 million deal. He inherits a pretty decent team, at least by Eastern Conference standards. Dwight Howard is an absolute stud, Darko has some promise, and if Grant Hill spurns retirement and is healthy next year, they could be decent. Although we are JJ lovers not JJ haters here at BRB, Orlando may have reached last year taking him in the lottery next year. Even with that, he has the ability to be a good pro if one, he plays, and two, Howard establishes himself in the post, draws doubles, and kicks to JJ. One thing that hurts them immensely is the absence of a 1st Round pick this year. Detroit gets pick #15 (probably from the Darko trade), which leaves the Magic with only two second round picks.
Will Billy succeed in the NBA? I'm not sure. Sure, he is coming off of two national championships in a row but let's not forget, only two years ago, Billy was called a cheat by Mike Montgomery and was considered a classic underachiever as a coach. He seemed to always get the big recruit whether it was Udonis Haslem, Jason Williams, Donnell Harvey, James White, David Lee, or Matt Walsh but yet it seemed as if he was getting bounced by the likes of Manhattan every year in the NCAA Tournament. He caught lightning in a bottle with a recruiting class that although they were talented, their greatest asset was their chemistry on and off the court.
If you go according to history, you can't like his chances. Outside of Larry Brown, college coaches never seem to enjoy success once they arrive in the NBA and remember, Brown had already been in the NBA before coaching UCLA and Kansas. Donovan's mentor, Rick Pitino, crashed and burned in the pros a few times. Their full-court, team-oriented pressure doesn't translate to a league full of lazy one-on-one players.
To me, although there is talent in Orlando, until they sign a big-time wing player to go along with Howard, they won't step into the elite of the East and compete with Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, and Miami. If they had their pick this year, nbadraft.net has the #15 pick as Javaris Critteton from Georgia Tech who has the potential to be a big-time PG.
Whether or not Billy makes it in the pros, one thing remains: he lied to his incoming recruits, they bought it hook, line, and sinker and now they are coughing up their respective lunches because of it. I guess money means more in this day and age than the possibility of crippling a young man's future...
Orlando was the perfect NBA home for Donovan. He doesn't have to move his family from the state of Florida where he just built a Catholic School that his son attends. The money didn't hurt either. According to ESPN (see I document my sources), it's a 6 year/$36 million deal. He inherits a pretty decent team, at least by Eastern Conference standards. Dwight Howard is an absolute stud, Darko has some promise, and if Grant Hill spurns retirement and is healthy next year, they could be decent. Although we are JJ lovers not JJ haters here at BRB, Orlando may have reached last year taking him in the lottery next year. Even with that, he has the ability to be a good pro if one, he plays, and two, Howard establishes himself in the post, draws doubles, and kicks to JJ. One thing that hurts them immensely is the absence of a 1st Round pick this year. Detroit gets pick #15 (probably from the Darko trade), which leaves the Magic with only two second round picks.
Will Billy succeed in the NBA? I'm not sure. Sure, he is coming off of two national championships in a row but let's not forget, only two years ago, Billy was called a cheat by Mike Montgomery and was considered a classic underachiever as a coach. He seemed to always get the big recruit whether it was Udonis Haslem, Jason Williams, Donnell Harvey, James White, David Lee, or Matt Walsh but yet it seemed as if he was getting bounced by the likes of Manhattan every year in the NCAA Tournament. He caught lightning in a bottle with a recruiting class that although they were talented, their greatest asset was their chemistry on and off the court.
If you go according to history, you can't like his chances. Outside of Larry Brown, college coaches never seem to enjoy success once they arrive in the NBA and remember, Brown had already been in the NBA before coaching UCLA and Kansas. Donovan's mentor, Rick Pitino, crashed and burned in the pros a few times. Their full-court, team-oriented pressure doesn't translate to a league full of lazy one-on-one players.
To me, although there is talent in Orlando, until they sign a big-time wing player to go along with Howard, they won't step into the elite of the East and compete with Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, and Miami. If they had their pick this year, nbadraft.net has the #15 pick as Javaris Critteton from Georgia Tech who has the potential to be a big-time PG.
Whether or not Billy makes it in the pros, one thing remains: he lied to his incoming recruits, they bought it hook, line, and sinker and now they are coughing up their respective lunches because of it. I guess money means more in this day and age than the possibility of crippling a young man's future...
Kobe
There is very little debate who is the most talented player in the NBA. The discussion usually begins and ends with Kobe Bryant. However, there is no one in the NBA or possibly all of sports that I dislike more. I'll admit I am a bit biased here considering I love Shaq and I love Coach K.
First, I find it ridiculous that pro-Duke blogs talk about Kobe as if he was a Dukie at one point in his life. Kobe wasn't even close to going to Duke. It was only after the fact that Kobe indicated that he would've loved to play for Duke if he went to college. AND, I may be in the minority here but I am so glad that this guy didn't step foot on Duke's campus and that is saying a lot since he would've arrived in 1996 when Duke was still struggling.
Let's get this straight, I think he is the most talented player in the league and I respect that talent. That's all I respect about this guy. I won't even get into his personal life because that is none of my business and only he and that girl know exactly what happened that night. But, this guy rats out Shaq to the police, basically cries Shaq off of his team because he's so conceded that he believed he could win without him, tries to steal Coach K from Duke, commits some of the dirtiest flagrant fouls in the NBA and then cries when Raja Bell throws him down, at no point has he made any of his teammates better, and now he goes on the radio demands a trade, claims he had nothing to do with Shaq leaving LA, claims management hasn't given him enough talent to work with and has since demanded a trade, rescinded that demand, demanded a trade again, and again has rescinded that demand. I am so sick of this guy it's not even funny.
I vowed a few months ago that I would be much more objective but I just can't stand this guy. He's not the only one around sports but he is the only one of those guys somehow linked to Duke. To all those who link Kobe to Duke, stop! You are embarrassing Duke. Duke is a program built on character, teamwork, and integrity. Duke is not a program that revolves around snitching on other teammates, pointing fingers and cheap fouls. Let's reaffirm our association with the Elton Brands, Luol Dengs, and Shane Battiers of the world who exemplify what is stands for to be a Blue Devil.
First, I find it ridiculous that pro-Duke blogs talk about Kobe as if he was a Dukie at one point in his life. Kobe wasn't even close to going to Duke. It was only after the fact that Kobe indicated that he would've loved to play for Duke if he went to college. AND, I may be in the minority here but I am so glad that this guy didn't step foot on Duke's campus and that is saying a lot since he would've arrived in 1996 when Duke was still struggling.
Let's get this straight, I think he is the most talented player in the league and I respect that talent. That's all I respect about this guy. I won't even get into his personal life because that is none of my business and only he and that girl know exactly what happened that night. But, this guy rats out Shaq to the police, basically cries Shaq off of his team because he's so conceded that he believed he could win without him, tries to steal Coach K from Duke, commits some of the dirtiest flagrant fouls in the NBA and then cries when Raja Bell throws him down, at no point has he made any of his teammates better, and now he goes on the radio demands a trade, claims he had nothing to do with Shaq leaving LA, claims management hasn't given him enough talent to work with and has since demanded a trade, rescinded that demand, demanded a trade again, and again has rescinded that demand. I am so sick of this guy it's not even funny.
I vowed a few months ago that I would be much more objective but I just can't stand this guy. He's not the only one around sports but he is the only one of those guys somehow linked to Duke. To all those who link Kobe to Duke, stop! You are embarrassing Duke. Duke is a program built on character, teamwork, and integrity. Duke is not a program that revolves around snitching on other teammates, pointing fingers and cheap fouls. Let's reaffirm our association with the Elton Brands, Luol Dengs, and Shane Battiers of the world who exemplify what is stands for to be a Blue Devil.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
No Rush
When Brandon Rush dropped out of the NBA Draft, I figured he had learned from his brothers mistakes but it looks like that wasnt the case. Andy Katz is reporting that Rush tore his ACL in a pickup game and that caused the withdrawal. It's pretty sad for college basketball that the only way you can get your superstar back is a serious knee injury. If Rush comes back to 100%, Kansas will have a shot at the title.
I read an article that Isiah Thomas is strongly considering drafting Josh McRoberts. I don't think that's a good fit. There is already a log jam at the 4 with the Knicks with Channing Frye, David Lee, and Renaldo Balkman. Even though he may be a risk, I think the Knicks should take a flyer on BC's Sean Williams. If he can keep his head on straight, he's got the potential to be a big-time shot blocker something they so desperately need since Eddy Curry only plays on the offensive end.
I read an article that Isiah Thomas is strongly considering drafting Josh McRoberts. I don't think that's a good fit. There is already a log jam at the 4 with the Knicks with Channing Frye, David Lee, and Renaldo Balkman. Even though he may be a risk, I think the Knicks should take a flyer on BC's Sean Williams. If he can keep his head on straight, he's got the potential to be a big-time shot blocker something they so desperately need since Eddy Curry only plays on the offensive end.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Cha-Ching
Portland and Seattle cashed in the other night and they will get Oden and Durant. This serves the Grizzlies and Celtics right considering they tanked their seasons to get these guys and now they are stuck with the likes of Yi Julian, Al Hortford, Jeff Green etc...which isnt too shabby but nowhere near Oden and Durant.
Although Durant and Oden are intriguing, let's take a look at possible prospects for McRoberts. I would love Josh to land at #18 to the Warriors. I think he fits the Warriors style perfectly and he gives them the athletic, tall, good passer/defender that the Warriors covet. They will go no further than the 2nd Round with 6'8'' Al Harrington playing the 5.
More on the draft once I investigate a little more but according to Draft Express, McRoberts looks spectacular in his private workouts and the only negative surrounding right now is the inability of the scouts to forget two years of underachieving at Duke. He could go as high as late lottery and I can't see him dropping past 22 or 23.
Also, I never brought this up when it happened but congrats to Shelden Williams who got engaged a few weeks ago to Candace Parker from Tennessee. Good job Shelden! I would think a girl like that would be out of his league.
Although Durant and Oden are intriguing, let's take a look at possible prospects for McRoberts. I would love Josh to land at #18 to the Warriors. I think he fits the Warriors style perfectly and he gives them the athletic, tall, good passer/defender that the Warriors covet. They will go no further than the 2nd Round with 6'8'' Al Harrington playing the 5.
More on the draft once I investigate a little more but according to Draft Express, McRoberts looks spectacular in his private workouts and the only negative surrounding right now is the inability of the scouts to forget two years of underachieving at Duke. He could go as high as late lottery and I can't see him dropping past 22 or 23.
Also, I never brought this up when it happened but congrats to Shelden Williams who got engaged a few weeks ago to Candace Parker from Tennessee. Good job Shelden! I would think a girl like that would be out of his league.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Patterson To Kentucky
Looks like Patrick Patterson has decided on Kentucky, which is a bit of a surprise to me. I figured he would follow Jai Lucas to Florida. This decision shows me that the Patterson family wasnt sold on Billy Donovan staying at Florida and I agree with them.
Billy G gets his first big recruit and he will fit in nicely with the departure of Randolph Morris to the Knicks. I knew Patterson wasnt going to Duke a long time ago so this doesnt come as a shock to me. However, the shock is Kentucky. Once Tubby Smith left and Patterson's mom went off on the alumni, I figured it was between Duke and Florida. Give Billy G credit. He immediately got in touch with him, developed a full-fledged plan for him and promised him 16-20 shots a game. Although I don't approve of selling a recruit on the number of shots you're going to get, he did what he had to and landed a big-time recruit.
So, Duke is now faced with the worst case scenario BRB set forth after the heartbreaking VCU loss: they lost McRoberts to the NBA and Patterson didn't come to Durham. What does this mean? Well, for starters, you have to believe Duke wont have any transfers now. The only possible transfer to me is Marty Pocius but it looks like he'll be sticking around despite a log jam at his position. So, this means that they need the combo of Lance Thomas, Brian Zoubek, and David McClure to be huge next year. Also, this means they will be running a number of small sets with basically 4 guards and a forward. I think the offense will be much more fluid this year with the addition of Singler, King, and Smith and with Gerald Henderson almost certainly gaining a much bigger role in the offense. Their problem will be defensively. Say whatever you want about McRoberts and the lack of chemistry between him and the rest of the team, he played some great defense with the departure of the Landlord.
I, for one, believe that Lance Thomas will have a breakout season this year. You saw glimmers at the beginning of the season but for a variety of reasons, they got nothing from Thomas last year except some amusing defense. To be honest, I'm not sure about Zoubek. All indications at the beginning of last year was that he would be a big-time contributor in year 1. He was not.
If Zoubek is as good as people made him out to be entering Duke than the finger has to be pointed at the coach. There hasn't been a better coach in history but I don't subscribe to the "they went small so we couldn't play him" theory. Look where that got the Dallas Mavericks. Don't let inferior teams dictate your style, you're Duke! You dictate the style.
Good luck to Patterson. I wish he would've went to Duke but I'd rather him go to Kentucky than Florida because Donovan is all over the NBA right now and was going to screw him over. I can feel it. And remember, we beat out Florida and Rutgers for Thomas at the deadline last year so you can't win them all.
Billy G gets his first big recruit and he will fit in nicely with the departure of Randolph Morris to the Knicks. I knew Patterson wasnt going to Duke a long time ago so this doesnt come as a shock to me. However, the shock is Kentucky. Once Tubby Smith left and Patterson's mom went off on the alumni, I figured it was between Duke and Florida. Give Billy G credit. He immediately got in touch with him, developed a full-fledged plan for him and promised him 16-20 shots a game. Although I don't approve of selling a recruit on the number of shots you're going to get, he did what he had to and landed a big-time recruit.
So, Duke is now faced with the worst case scenario BRB set forth after the heartbreaking VCU loss: they lost McRoberts to the NBA and Patterson didn't come to Durham. What does this mean? Well, for starters, you have to believe Duke wont have any transfers now. The only possible transfer to me is Marty Pocius but it looks like he'll be sticking around despite a log jam at his position. So, this means that they need the combo of Lance Thomas, Brian Zoubek, and David McClure to be huge next year. Also, this means they will be running a number of small sets with basically 4 guards and a forward. I think the offense will be much more fluid this year with the addition of Singler, King, and Smith and with Gerald Henderson almost certainly gaining a much bigger role in the offense. Their problem will be defensively. Say whatever you want about McRoberts and the lack of chemistry between him and the rest of the team, he played some great defense with the departure of the Landlord.
I, for one, believe that Lance Thomas will have a breakout season this year. You saw glimmers at the beginning of the season but for a variety of reasons, they got nothing from Thomas last year except some amusing defense. To be honest, I'm not sure about Zoubek. All indications at the beginning of last year was that he would be a big-time contributor in year 1. He was not.
If Zoubek is as good as people made him out to be entering Duke than the finger has to be pointed at the coach. There hasn't been a better coach in history but I don't subscribe to the "they went small so we couldn't play him" theory. Look where that got the Dallas Mavericks. Don't let inferior teams dictate your style, you're Duke! You dictate the style.
Good luck to Patterson. I wish he would've went to Duke but I'd rather him go to Kentucky than Florida because Donovan is all over the NBA right now and was going to screw him over. I can feel it. And remember, we beat out Florida and Rutgers for Thomas at the deadline last year so you can't win them all.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Long Shot
Now that Jai Lucas has announced he will go to Florida, you have to believe Patrick Patterson will follow him. Although his dad is a huge Duke fan, Patterson has formed a friendship with Lucas and are believed to be a packaged deal. I concluded a long time ago that he wasn't going to Duke but I hate to see a kid go somewhere and the coach bail on him weeks later. I just have a feeling Donovan will get some NBA team to give him full control, like the Orlando Magic, and he will leave these kids for dead. Patterson seems like a good kid and if that's going to happen, I'd rather him at least go to Kentucky where you know Gillespe is going nowhere.
Here is my last plea to Patrick: If you want a reason to go to Duke, I will give you two: Elton Brand and Carlos Boozer. Both Duke centers in that NBA PF mold that are 20/10 players in the NBA that have multimillion dollar deals. If you are as good as they say you are, use Duke and their national TV coverage to boost up your NBA stock.
On another note, Virginia Tech just lost a solid recruit for next year and the kid stated that he couldn't come because he wasn't emotionally and mentally ready to step foot on the campus after the shootings. Poor Seth Greenberg...I'll tell you this, if Donovan bounces to the pros this season, I think Seth would be a nice replacement there.
Expect an unhappy post on Wednesday when Patterson decides to go to Florida...Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek better be working on their games as I write this because if they don't improve, Duke will get eaten up alive down low.
Here is my last plea to Patrick: If you want a reason to go to Duke, I will give you two: Elton Brand and Carlos Boozer. Both Duke centers in that NBA PF mold that are 20/10 players in the NBA that have multimillion dollar deals. If you are as good as they say you are, use Duke and their national TV coverage to boost up your NBA stock.
On another note, Virginia Tech just lost a solid recruit for next year and the kid stated that he couldn't come because he wasn't emotionally and mentally ready to step foot on the campus after the shootings. Poor Seth Greenberg...I'll tell you this, if Donovan bounces to the pros this season, I think Seth would be a nice replacement there.
Expect an unhappy post on Wednesday when Patterson decides to go to Florida...Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek better be working on their games as I write this because if they don't improve, Duke will get eaten up alive down low.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
So Sick...
Okay, so I hate to sound like Neyo here but I am so sick, so sick of the "myth" that Duke doesn't translate into success in the NBA. Why? Because it's completely untrue, take a look:
Carlos Boozer and Elton Brand are two of the elite power forwards in the NBA, both average double-doubles over the course of the season, and now Boozer is on his way to leading Utah past Golden State in the 2nd Round.
Since 1986, Duke's 1st National Title Game appearance under Coach K, the following players have been drafted in the 1st and 2nd Round:
Johnny Dawkins (10)
Mark Alarie (18)
Danny Ferry (2)
Alaa Abdelnaby (25)
Christian Laettner (3)
Brian Davis (48)
Bobby Hurley (7)
Thomas Hill (39)
Grant Hill (3)
Antonio Lang (29)
Cherokee Parks (12)
Erik Meek (41)
Roshown McLeod (20)
Elton Brand (1)
Trajan Langdon (11)
Corey Maggette (13)
William Avery (14)
Chris Carrawell (41)
Shane Battier (6)
Jay Williams (2)
Mike Dunleavy (3)
Carlos Boozer (35)
Dahntay Jones (20)
Luol Deng (7)
Chris Duhon (39)
Daniel Ewing (32)
Shelden Williams (5)
JJ Redick (11)
Johnny Dawkins is always referred to as the first big-time bust that Coach K produced in the NBA. How so? Over his 9 year career in the league that was cut short because of injuries, he averaged 11 points and 6 assists per game. Sure, he wasn't the superstar he was at the collegiate level but overall that's a successful career.
I think the stereotype revolves around the failures of Danny Ferry. Even though he was before my time as a Duke fan, he was the original hated Dukie and the fact that he was drafted #2 and only averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds per game over his 13 year career really fuels the anti-Duke bandwagon. He did, however, play an intrical role in San Antonio's championship in 2003.
Another guy that everyone loves to pick on is Christian Laettner, arguably the most hated Duke player of all-time and why wouldn't he be? He played in 4 Final Fours, won 2 National Championships, won the POY in 1992, and hit every clutch shot known to man. Everyone says he was a bust in the NBA. How? Sure, he wasn't a franchise player but he played 13 seasons in the NBA and averaged 13 points and 7 rebounds per game. That's a very solid career.
Bobby Hurley can't be considered a bust because of the horrific accident that doomed his career. I don't think he would've been a franchise NBA player but he would've been a servicable PG for many years.
Grant Hill, who is considering retirement this year, is a borderline hall of fame player. He probably won't make it because of the littany of injuries he's endured over the course of his career but he still managed to put up 20 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists per game over his 12 years in the league. If he would've stayed injury free, he could've been the superstar to succeed MJ.
Cherokee Parks was a complete bust and just a failure in life. After a promising freshman season at Duke in 1992, I never really liked his attitude and he went freakin crazy in the NBA. I think he actually got a tatoo of a battleship on his tongue...Ewww
Up to this point in history, Duke players had relative success in the NBA but considering the success of a Dawkins, Ferry, Laettner, and Hurley, you can see where the stereotype emerged. However, let's take a look from 1999 on and see if this really holds true:
1999:
Elton Brand: Over his career, he has averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. He has been a tremendous ambassador to the sport and is amongst the elite PF's in the game today. If he was able to get another big time player, he could lead a team to a championship.
Trajan Langdon: Even the most optimistic of Duke fans were left scratching their heads when the Cavs made him a lottery pick. At best, he was a late first rounder. He was a great shooter in college but that's all his was. The reputation and constant spotlight around Duke may have overhyped him. However, he has enjoyed a very successful career on CSKA Moscow, which has won a number of Euro titles with him as a star.
Corey Maggette: Despite only playing one season in Durham, he's one of the most explosive players in the league. He's averaged over 15 points and 5 rebounds over his career and if he was able to ever develop a consistent jumper, he'd be unstoppable. He's a very good NBA player and he is only getting better.
William Avery: One of these Duke players that Duke fans can't stand. He tried to ride the coattails of Brand and Maggette and a spectacular 37-2 season into the pros and went in the lottery. Coach K urged him and his mother to wait because he wasn't ready and would get eaten up alive in the pros. Avery's mother called Coach K selfish and a liar. Where is William now? I think he's struggling to get time in Tel Aviv. That one is not on Duke basketball...
Shane Battier: The consumate team player. Everyone knew he wouldn't be a superstar in the league but let's face it, he is one of the best intangible players in the league. He's averaged 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block per game for his career and constantly guards the other teams best player.
Jay Williams: Sort of a Bobby Hurley situation but let's face it, despite having a pretty average rookie season in Chicago, this guy had All-Star guard written all over him. He would've been an absolute star but he couldn't stay off his motorcycle.
Mike Dunleavy: Ask anyone, I said it then, he went way too high. He was a jump shooter, he was great in college because he had the best penetrator in college basketball in Jay Williams. Even with that, he's averaged 14 point per game for his career and I think he is suited better in a half court system in Indiana than the run and gun in Golden State.
Dahntay Jones: Considered by many around the NBA as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Problem is that his offensive game has never really developed. If he develops his offensive game, he'll be a starter in this league for years to come.
Luol Deng: Did you see what he did to Miami? He's one of the most versatile players in the game and toughest to guard because of his length. He will be an all-star in this league for years to come and will be a franchise player.
Chris Duhon: Considering he had one of the most miserable junior seasons I've ever seen, you have to feel good for Duhon. He's a very solid PG for the Bulls and plays excellent defense. He'll never wow anyone with numbers but he will hang around the pros for years to come...
I think it's still too early to judge Shelden Williams and JJ Redick. If Redick fails in the NBA, the stereotype will gain even more momentum because people love to hate him. If he succeeds, he will just be another player who disregards this stereotype.
Carlos Boozer and Elton Brand are two of the elite power forwards in the NBA, both average double-doubles over the course of the season, and now Boozer is on his way to leading Utah past Golden State in the 2nd Round.
Since 1986, Duke's 1st National Title Game appearance under Coach K, the following players have been drafted in the 1st and 2nd Round:
Johnny Dawkins (10)
Mark Alarie (18)
Danny Ferry (2)
Alaa Abdelnaby (25)
Christian Laettner (3)
Brian Davis (48)
Bobby Hurley (7)
Thomas Hill (39)
Grant Hill (3)
Antonio Lang (29)
Cherokee Parks (12)
Erik Meek (41)
Roshown McLeod (20)
Elton Brand (1)
Trajan Langdon (11)
Corey Maggette (13)
William Avery (14)
Chris Carrawell (41)
Shane Battier (6)
Jay Williams (2)
Mike Dunleavy (3)
Carlos Boozer (35)
Dahntay Jones (20)
Luol Deng (7)
Chris Duhon (39)
Daniel Ewing (32)
Shelden Williams (5)
JJ Redick (11)
Johnny Dawkins is always referred to as the first big-time bust that Coach K produced in the NBA. How so? Over his 9 year career in the league that was cut short because of injuries, he averaged 11 points and 6 assists per game. Sure, he wasn't the superstar he was at the collegiate level but overall that's a successful career.
I think the stereotype revolves around the failures of Danny Ferry. Even though he was before my time as a Duke fan, he was the original hated Dukie and the fact that he was drafted #2 and only averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds per game over his 13 year career really fuels the anti-Duke bandwagon. He did, however, play an intrical role in San Antonio's championship in 2003.
Another guy that everyone loves to pick on is Christian Laettner, arguably the most hated Duke player of all-time and why wouldn't he be? He played in 4 Final Fours, won 2 National Championships, won the POY in 1992, and hit every clutch shot known to man. Everyone says he was a bust in the NBA. How? Sure, he wasn't a franchise player but he played 13 seasons in the NBA and averaged 13 points and 7 rebounds per game. That's a very solid career.
Bobby Hurley can't be considered a bust because of the horrific accident that doomed his career. I don't think he would've been a franchise NBA player but he would've been a servicable PG for many years.
Grant Hill, who is considering retirement this year, is a borderline hall of fame player. He probably won't make it because of the littany of injuries he's endured over the course of his career but he still managed to put up 20 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists per game over his 12 years in the league. If he would've stayed injury free, he could've been the superstar to succeed MJ.
Cherokee Parks was a complete bust and just a failure in life. After a promising freshman season at Duke in 1992, I never really liked his attitude and he went freakin crazy in the NBA. I think he actually got a tatoo of a battleship on his tongue...Ewww
Up to this point in history, Duke players had relative success in the NBA but considering the success of a Dawkins, Ferry, Laettner, and Hurley, you can see where the stereotype emerged. However, let's take a look from 1999 on and see if this really holds true:
1999:
Elton Brand: Over his career, he has averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. He has been a tremendous ambassador to the sport and is amongst the elite PF's in the game today. If he was able to get another big time player, he could lead a team to a championship.
Trajan Langdon: Even the most optimistic of Duke fans were left scratching their heads when the Cavs made him a lottery pick. At best, he was a late first rounder. He was a great shooter in college but that's all his was. The reputation and constant spotlight around Duke may have overhyped him. However, he has enjoyed a very successful career on CSKA Moscow, which has won a number of Euro titles with him as a star.
Corey Maggette: Despite only playing one season in Durham, he's one of the most explosive players in the league. He's averaged over 15 points and 5 rebounds over his career and if he was able to ever develop a consistent jumper, he'd be unstoppable. He's a very good NBA player and he is only getting better.
William Avery: One of these Duke players that Duke fans can't stand. He tried to ride the coattails of Brand and Maggette and a spectacular 37-2 season into the pros and went in the lottery. Coach K urged him and his mother to wait because he wasn't ready and would get eaten up alive in the pros. Avery's mother called Coach K selfish and a liar. Where is William now? I think he's struggling to get time in Tel Aviv. That one is not on Duke basketball...
Shane Battier: The consumate team player. Everyone knew he wouldn't be a superstar in the league but let's face it, he is one of the best intangible players in the league. He's averaged 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block per game for his career and constantly guards the other teams best player.
Jay Williams: Sort of a Bobby Hurley situation but let's face it, despite having a pretty average rookie season in Chicago, this guy had All-Star guard written all over him. He would've been an absolute star but he couldn't stay off his motorcycle.
Mike Dunleavy: Ask anyone, I said it then, he went way too high. He was a jump shooter, he was great in college because he had the best penetrator in college basketball in Jay Williams. Even with that, he's averaged 14 point per game for his career and I think he is suited better in a half court system in Indiana than the run and gun in Golden State.
Dahntay Jones: Considered by many around the NBA as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Problem is that his offensive game has never really developed. If he develops his offensive game, he'll be a starter in this league for years to come.
Luol Deng: Did you see what he did to Miami? He's one of the most versatile players in the game and toughest to guard because of his length. He will be an all-star in this league for years to come and will be a franchise player.
Chris Duhon: Considering he had one of the most miserable junior seasons I've ever seen, you have to feel good for Duhon. He's a very solid PG for the Bulls and plays excellent defense. He'll never wow anyone with numbers but he will hang around the pros for years to come...
I think it's still too early to judge Shelden Williams and JJ Redick. If Redick fails in the NBA, the stereotype will gain even more momentum because people love to hate him. If he succeeds, he will just be another player who disregards this stereotype.
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