Duke's Smith to Return, Singler Still Undecided

Home ▸ Archive ▸ College Sports ▸ Duke's Smith to Return, Singler Still Undecided
reclegend22's avatar

reclegend22

Cool Hand Luke

8,772 posts
Apr 6, 2010 9:34 PM
Duke junior Nolan Smith, who averaged 17.4 points per game this past season during Duke's run to the national championship, told the Charlotte News & Observer today, "I'm definitely not even considering going. Unless someone said, 'Nolan, you're going to be the No. 1 pick, and John Wall has that on lock.'"

""This squad, coming in next year," continued Smith, "it could be something special. Back-to-back champs could be our future."

Kyle Singler says that he has "no idea." I find that very comforting as a Duke fan, either way. My heart says he's back, but my head says gone. I will be happy for him no matter what.

http://blogs.newsobserver.com/accnow/dukes-smith-says-he-will-return-singler-undecided#ixzz0kNEZCrux

We Are Duke.
Apr 6, 2010 9:34pm
wildcats20's avatar

wildcats20

In ROY I Trust!!

27,794 posts
Apr 6, 2010 9:36 PM
Singler will be gone when all is said and done IMO.
Apr 6, 2010 9:36pm
reclegend22's avatar

reclegend22

Cool Hand Luke

8,772 posts
Apr 6, 2010 9:40 PM
^^More than likely. Heading into the Tournament, he had no business considering it. But, after the run, he's played his way back into the discussion. That's how it works.

I'm happy for him if decides so. He's earned that option. Hell of a player.
Apr 6, 2010 9:40pm
wildcats20's avatar

wildcats20

In ROY I Trust!!

27,794 posts
Apr 6, 2010 9:40 PM
I agree. I've said all along that Singler is one of, if not the best, player in the country.
Apr 6, 2010 9:40pm
reclegend22's avatar

reclegend22

Cool Hand Luke

8,772 posts
Apr 6, 2010 9:42 PM
As a caveat for Duke haters, though (:)), Smith and Singler are incredibly tight. If Smith is talking about this "back to back champion" stuff, perhaps he knows something about his good friend.

Everyone deserves the right to hope, right, even a Devil? :D
Apr 6, 2010 9:42pm
wildcats20's avatar

wildcats20

In ROY I Trust!!

27,794 posts
Apr 6, 2010 9:44 PM
Nope I actually mean it when I say it about him lol

I didn't know Singler and Smith were that tight?? I always figured Scheyer and Singler had some kind of love connection though ;)
Apr 6, 2010 9:44pm
77Legend's avatar

77Legend

Senior Member

615 posts
Apr 6, 2010 9:49 PM
I think Duke will have a stellar team next year if all return. IMO, not ragging, but from history, Duke players need to stay.
Apr 6, 2010 9:49pm
reclegend22's avatar

reclegend22

Cool Hand Luke

8,772 posts
Apr 6, 2010 9:55 PM
Yeah, Nolan and Kyle are pretty good friends. I obviously don't know either personally, but there friendship is pretty well documented among Duke circles.

I wonder how many subordinates (bench players) Kris Lang took to the showers...:D I won't bring out The Photograph, but it is legendary.
Apr 6, 2010 9:55pm
M

mattinctown

Apr 6, 2010 10:20 PM
At the celebration at Cameron today, Kyle got up to speak and the "one more year" chant started loudly from everyone. He seemed a bit annoyed by it, almost like he is out of here, but hopefully he is truly undecided or will be back. However, I understand if he goes, doesn't get much better than a national title and MOP of the Final Four.
Apr 6, 2010 10:20pm
swamisez's avatar

swamisez

Senior Member

1,990 posts
Apr 6, 2010 10:38 PM
I kind of hope Singler leaves.

He doesn't have anything else to prove. He should have enough credits to graduate with his degree in corporate media and graphic design.

Go to the NBA get your money and enjoy yourself. Why stay at Duke, your job here is done.

Also it opens up some more pt for players who have been waiting. Got to keep developing players. Ryan Kelly could be a Singler clone. We will see.
Apr 6, 2010 10:38pm
I

ironman02

Senior Member

4,989 posts
Apr 6, 2010 10:57 PM
I thought that I had heard that Smith already said he was coming back. I was hoping his performance lately might make him at least test the waters, but I figured he would end up back for another season no matter what. Singler, I hope, has played his last game for Duke. However, as I said before, I doubt if I'm that lucky. If Singler returns, Duke could definitely repeat. Without him, they're still gonna be VERY good.

I've been hearing that Ed Davis may be leaning toward returning to Carolina, which would make things really interesting. If Carolina ends up not losing Davis or Drew II, they could be in good shape. That said, the latest rumors about Davis returning probably mean it's just the opposite...he'll probably declare for tha draft next week, haha.
Apr 6, 2010 10:57pm
wildcats20's avatar

wildcats20

In ROY I Trust!!

27,794 posts
Apr 6, 2010 10:58 PM
Drew, Henson and Davis have been going back and forth on their twitter accounts about Ed staying. I think he'll be back.
Apr 6, 2010 10:58pm
I

ironman02

Senior Member

4,989 posts
Apr 6, 2010 11:02 PM
ccrunner609 wrote: Duke starters: (off the bench)

PG- Curry
SG- Smith (Dawkins)
SF/F- Singler, Kelly
PF- Plumlee
C- Plumlee
What about Irving?
Apr 6, 2010 11:02pm
I

ironman02

Senior Member

4,989 posts
Apr 6, 2010 11:05 PM
I bet he's the PG from Day 1, but you could be right.

Will Curry really play the point? I thought he would be a two-guard. Maybe a three guard lineup for Duke next year, with Singler (if he stays) at the 4.
Apr 6, 2010 11:05pm
I

ironman02

Senior Member

4,989 posts
Apr 6, 2010 11:10 PM
http://duke.scout.com/a.z?s=167&p=8&c=2&nid=354&yr=2009

He's listed at 6'3" here, but that doesn't matter anyway. He can be a SG at 6'1", which is what he's listed as on the roster.

Not trying to argue here...just pointing out that I think he'll be more of a shooter than a primary ball handler, but it's not my team so I could easily be wrong.
Apr 6, 2010 11:10pm
Z

ZeroCool

Senior Member

264 posts
Apr 6, 2010 11:20 PM
kyrie irving will be at the point by midseason next year. dawkins will either learn a new position or transfer.
Apr 6, 2010 11:20pm
september63's avatar

september63

Senior Member

5,789 posts
Apr 6, 2010 11:26 PM
FYI: Kyle Singler wont start an NBA game. (EVER) Just sayin.
Apr 6, 2010 11:26pm
reclegend22's avatar

reclegend22

Cool Hand Luke

8,772 posts
Apr 7, 2010 12:00 AM
I think Irving starts from day one. That's I take from the situation anyway. People are comparing him to Jason Williams in the things he can do with the ball in his hands, and as the best pure PG talent since Williams, period. Not as physically gifted as Wall, but in terms of pure PG skills. If this stuff is legit, he starts, and Curry spells Nolan/Kyrie and Andre Nolan/Singler (please!) (and Kelly perhaps the four with his length).

I've also heard that Seth would like to play point, but, if Kyrie stays three years, which some believe he may, that will never happen. Likely, Seth will become Duke's primary shooting guard when Nolan leaves.
Apr 7, 2010 12:00am
R

RiverRat13

Senior Member

377 posts
Apr 7, 2010 10:48 AM
Irving starts from Day 1. He is a stud. No chance he stays 3 years. Maybe 2 since there may be a lock-out.

I think Singler is gone. There's a good chance there won't be an NBA season in '11-'12, so he should go now if he can graduate anyway.

If Singler comes back, it would be interesting to see if he plays the 3 or 4. There would be a lot of talent at the guard position (Irving, Smith, Singler, Curry, Dawkins) and I can't help but think K would want to get it all on the court. The key in my mind to Duke's success was that K was basically forced to play a true 4 and 5 at all times due to lack of guards. Duke still shot a ton of threes, but they had the bigs to track down the misses. If Singler plays the 4, Duke in my mind loses what was different for them than the previous few seasons.
Apr 7, 2010 10:48am
N

Nate

Formerly Known As Keebler

3,949 posts
Apr 7, 2010 11:45 AM
Singler should stay. No reason to leave Duke early for a less than stellar NBA career ahead of him.
Apr 7, 2010 11:45am
P

Prescott

Senior Member

2,569 posts
Apr 7, 2010 12:26 PM
I'm sure Singler will weigh his options very carefully.This is a weak draft and Singler's play in the tournament had to boost his stock in the eyes of the NBA execs. He may be in the best draft position that is possible. If his dream is playing in the league, leaving this year might be his best move.

I've heard that a new collective bargaining agreement probably means a 30% reduction in rookie salaries.That can translate into a ton of money.
Apr 7, 2010 12:26pm