So no draft announcements or decisions yet made. Coach K would probably know.

Still expect them soon, but none as of the moment. Really would like to know Adam Zagoria's source.

Zags is connected in NYC and NBA circles. My guess is someone in the NBA said Hood was declaring

Ah. Thanks.

Saw a few more comments from K's presser:

He says the staff is re-evaluating how Duke approaches defense in order to get back to what was once one of the team's major strengths. In other words, Duke will be practicing man-to-man harder than they did last year.

Says Duke will shoot even more threes next year (joking, but if they do, it won't matter as K has already said the team will play through Okafor). The balanced attack will be there.

Overall, it was a really good press conference from an open and honest K. I've never heard him lay it all out like that before. He's usually pretty discreet.

So once Wiggins declares today, is Jabari Parker that last big name frosh to have not made a decision yet? I know the deadline to declare is not until the end of April but it still a bit intriguing we have not heard much about this.

birddog23;1599121 wrote:So once Wiggins declares today, is Jabari Parker that last big name frosh to have not made a decision yet? I know the deadline to declare is not until the end of April but it still a bit intriguing we have not heard much about this.

Technically, I think Vonleh and Wiggins are the only ones who have declared, actually.

Gordon, Ennis, Embild, LaVine

birddog23;1599134 wrote:Gordon, Ennis, Embild, LaVine

Embiid I dont think has made an announcment. In fact, he said he hadnt decided when the speculation came out. Same with Hood (not a freshman, I know).

I hadnt heard about Gordon and forgot about Ennis. LaVine I dont count lol

Embiid is gone but it hasn't been made official yet

SportsAndLady;1599142 wrote:Embiid is gone but it hasn't been made official yet

Oh, absolutely. I was just point out he hasnt officially said it

Laley23;1599147 wrote:Oh, absolutely. I was just point out he hasnt officially said it

He tweeted something that was immediately taken down that basically said he was gone haha

SI ran an article about him declaring but it was according to sources and embiid came out and said it was wrong. But who knows.

White boy going to Duke has some hops

SportsAndLady;1599303 wrote:White boy going to Duke has some hops

Duke's team athleticism next year will be one of the best that Duke has had in my memory.

Grayson Allen's a boss. Kid's got pogo sticks for legs. He just comes out of nowhere.

The mid-air hesitation windmill.

The David Lee reverse between the legs.

Two-man leap.

And the pole vault over a 7-footer.

The sick part is he's an even better shooter. Really looking forward to him next year. In two years, he and Luke Kennard are gonna compose a legit backcourt.

Chad Ford saying in the last couple of days that several NBA GMs have indicated that they increasingly believe Parker will return to Duke. Ford also went on to add that he believes Parker will be in the Draft, for what that's worth.

It might sound crazy, but I'm not so sure. Parker is a lock to go in the top three this season, and some mocks have him at No. 1. But with Wiggins in the draft, that's by no means a guarantee, and Parker could slip to third behind Joel Embiid. Like Blake Griffin, who after his freshman year was forecast to go 4 or 5 in the lottery, Parker could come back one more year and be the outright favorite to go No. 1 in 2015.

I'm not sure why I am doing this to myself; apparently I enjoy torture.

I think he's coming back

The more I think about it, the more I believe Myles Turner is not only waiting out Joel Embiid but also Jabari Parker. If Turner were heading to Texas or SMU, he'd have made his decision already, or at least removed from consideration the teams outside of his "home area." No need to wait until the end of April otherwise.

At Kansas, without Embiid, he'd be the perfect compliment at the 5 to Cliff Alexander at the 4. At Duke, Turner would play more of the stretch 4 role alongside Okafor who'd be in the 5 spot. I've always sort of believed that's the position Turner truly wants to play.

If Parker and Embiid both come back, then that's the only way I envision Turner choosing one of the other schools.

Just for fun, IF Parker comes back...

1) Tyus Jones / Cook
2) Quinn Cook / Allen / Matt Jones
3) Rasheed Sulaimon / Winslow / Ojeleye
4) Jabari Parker / Jefferson
5) Jahill Okafor/ Plumlee

Jones and Okafor are locks to start IMO. And right now I am giving Winslow and Allen the nod over Jones and Ojeleye right now, but that could obviously change if neither of them can defend at a high level. I could possibly seeing Ojeleye seeing some time at the "4" also.

Obviously with the possibility of Jabari Parker coming back this team would be really deep. Even without Parker this team will still be deep. Development of Ojeleye/Jones will be huge in the off-season and finding out if Winslow/Allen can come in right away and contribute.


P.S. - UCONN gets so much publicity and gets talked about every game for having two PG's on the floor. That'll be Duke next year.

Still a possibility at this point that Hood returns, though I'm far less optimistic of that as I am of Parker (from the beginning I've felt that at least one would stay, but not both).

Back when Luol Deng was at Duke, before the major surge in OAD guys, I think most Duke fans were not just hopeful but also convinced that he would return for another year, and that confidence was only bolstered by how long it took Deng to decide. Then, just a day or two before the end-of-April deadline, he declared. So not sure where I stand right now.

If Hood leaves, I'm pulling for a starting five of Jones, Sulaimon, Parker, Turner and Okafor. That front court would be nasty.

reclegend22;1602203 wrote:Still a possibility at this point that Hood returns, though I'm far less optimistic of that as I am of Parker (from the beginning I've felt that at least one would stay, but not both).

Back when Luol Deng was at Duke, before the major surge in OAD guys, I think most Duke fans were not just hopeful but also convinced that he would return for another year, and that confidence was only bolstered by how long it took Deng to decide. Then, just a day or two before the end-of-April deadline, he declared. So not sure where I stand right now.

If Hood leaves, I'm pulling for a starting five of Jones, Sulaimon, Parker, Turner and Okafor. That front court would be nasty.

You really think Duke has a shot at Turner?

birddog23;1602217 wrote:You really think Duke has a shot at Turner?

Not especially, but I hold out hope nonetheless. It's obvious that he's waiting to see who leaves (and if Duke is still really on his list, then I think that leaves them and Kansas as the most likely candidates). If both Hood and Parker return, then that eliminates Duke. But if only one comes back, I think there's the possibility that he chooses Duke if Embiid comes back to college (as Alexander and Embiid are starting for the Jayhawks at the 4 and 5).

I'm just hoping, really.

Saw Jahil Okafor briefly on Saturday at the football game, wished him good health and such. Seems like a great kid and is enjoying his time at Duke thus far. Practices are amping up this week and I believe there is an open practice this week that students and fans can attend. I may swing by and give a look. Will provide an update if I do so.

Please do, Swami, if you end up making it over.

Read an early practice report the other day that indicated Quinn Cook is shaping up to be this team's best outside shooter. It's exactly what I was hoping to hear. With Tyus Jones almost certainly the starting point guard from game one, Quinn's most valuable contributions to this team will consist of veteran leadership and perimeter scoring. No longer faced with the sole responsibility of managing the Duke offense, Quinn can focus on his strongest attributes, which are scoring off the bounce from the wing and spotting up to shoot the three. Finally he'll get to display his natural abilities as a two guard.

I want so much to see Semi Ojeleye get some minutes and contribute this year. He is a great kid in every respect and has unbelievable talent. It pains me to see kids like that not be able to crack the rotation for Coach K. I hope he transfers out if he isn't able to get some minutes, maybe to Kansas State or possibly to Missouri. Want nothing but the best for him.

Granted in Duke's two exhibition games they have played teams far superior, but Justice Winslow and Jahlil Okafor have looked pretty damn good. Winslow has been a pleasant offensive surprise. Obviously everyone knows about Okafor.

I am excited to watch the Dukies open up the regular season this Friday.

Duke looked impressive tonight, fellas. This is Duke basketball. I realize Presbyterian is a glorified church league team, but a 70-point victory in D-I basketball is quite the feat nevertheless. What I was most satisfied with tonight was Duke's constant pressure from start to finish. They never let up, continuing to push the pace on both sides of the ball throughout. In recent years, the inability to do that has been one of Duke's biggest detriments. With as good as the Devils look to be defensively this year, the propensity for such lulls appears as if it will be a non-issue this season. Great to see.

Jah Oakafor with 19, 6 and 4 in his debut. The freshmen were just outstanding. Grayson Allen with 18, while Tyus Jones and Justise Winslow dropped in 15 each. Allen has the potential to morph into an absolute stud in two or three years. Kid is a phenomenal athlete with a nasty Euro-style first step and will be hated in every household in America by the time he's an upperclassman.

Despite planning their attack around Oakfor, Duke still quietly netted 16 threes on 31 attempts. This should be Duke's most complete team in over a decade. Really excited for this season.