Here’s a nice highlight reel of 2010 recruit Andre Dawkins. I’d give almost anything if he could get to Durham by this fall.

Share on Facebook

With all the attention Dahntay Jones is getting about his performance in the NBA Playoffs, here’s a classic clip of Dahntay at this best.

Share on Facebook

The season that Gerald had was a joy to watch.  The spectacular dunks, shots in the clutch, and leading the team to an ACC Championship.  The second half of this season was finally when Gerald meet all the expectations we had for him.  However, he had been here for two and a half years prior, and while there were some flashes he never became all he could be till conference play this year.

The worse part of it all is the sour taste in my mouth after the Sweet Sixteen game.  Of course no one else had a great game, but Gerald was the one who could lead Duke to something special.  His final game in a Duke uniform couldn’t have gone worse.  1-14 from the field with 7 points.  Those stats will always be in my mind when I think of Gerald.  Like DeMarcus Nelson the previous year, Gerald couldn’t step up when it counted.  And the worse part of it is, his best friend and classmate was down the road celebrating a championship when Gerald was sitting at home.

So while Gerald leaves Duke for millions of dollars, he also leaves with a bunch of nice highlights and decent career numbers.  However, it will be hard to forget when he didn’t get it done.  While I am happy to see him represent Duke in the NBA, I still think he has unfinished business.  It will be hard to forget 1-14.

Share on Facebook

Check out my book review of Coach K’s new book, “The Gold Standard”. http://dukereport.com/wordpress/?p=269

Share on Facebook

Not too long ago, the good folks at Hachette Book Group were been kind enough to send me an advanced copy of Coach K’s new book, The Gold Standard: Building a World-Class Team. They asked me to read it and review so I figure I would oblige. I would have done this sooner, but my wife took the book away from me and read it before I had a chance to.

First, I should mention that my wife gave this book a big thumbs up. After reading this book, she said she would love to read other books by Coach K. This comes from a person who isn’t really a Duke fan, just a good supportive wife…although she lives for March Madness. This was also the first book written by Coach K that I have read and it won’t be my last.

Basically, this book is the story behind Coach K and Team USA’s three year journey in pursuit of the winning the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. It starts off with Coach K being named Head Coach of Team USA and ends with 12 gold medals around his neck after Team USA beat Spain for the Gold. However, what happens in between is the best part. As the title suggests, he explains what it takes to build a world-class, gold medal winning team. Each chapter starts with a lesson about leadership and a particular step one must take to build a successful team, not just in sports, but in business and life. From there, he goes into greater detail on how he executed each step, using Team USA as the example.

One thing you’ll really love are the “moments” Coach K reflects on in each chapter. You’ll gain a newfound respect for guys like Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, DeWayne Wade, and even Carmello Anthony through these moments. You’ll also read how Coach K established patriotism, selflessness, trust, and respect among twelve of the best basketball players in the world. You’ll read how he set the standard that allowed them to play as a team, not just for each other, but for their coach and for their country. You’ll also read about love and respect those twelve guys had for Coach K because of the methods of leadership he implemented.

As I was reading this book and taking in all the lessons Coach K presented, one name quickly popped in my mind, Gilbert Arenas. I remember he was making some ruckus about not being named to the Men’s National Team. He said he believed he was not given a fair tryout and a groin injury that he had was just an excuse not choose him for the team. Truth is, guys like Gilbert are too selfish understand Coach K’s concept of team basketball. Guys like Gilbert are why we lost the gold in the past. Coach K has too much class to bring up that subject, but it was painfully obvious while reading this book. Gilbert, you may be a great basketball player, but you’ll never be a champion as long as you put yourself above the team.

Ultimately, if you are a fan of Duke Basketball, College Basketball, or the NBA, you’ll love this book. Also, I believe this book should be read by coaches or those who want to become coaches. Coaching goes beyond X’s and O’s and Coach K gives you the blueprint on how to build a world class team. If you haven’t read this book yet, do so soon, you won’t regret it. While this book is a great read, ultimately, I believe this book makes you want to be a better leader and an even better person.

Share on Facebook

…..The New York Post

This column has something that Duke fans will actually like to see.  Lenn Robbins (the writer) lists the teams to watch out for next season.  He  says that Henderson comes back (his opinion, so thats fine) and Paulus is addition by subtraction (I wouldn’t totally think that, but no problem here).  However, then it gets really funny.

DUKE — We think Gerald Henderson stays. Kyle Singler stays. Jon Scheyer stays. Greg Paulus leaves, which is addition by subtraction. Elliot Williams is now a sophomore. The key: Can Andre Dawkins or Tyler Thornton play the point?

While Duke fans wouldn’t mind having these two for next year, he must have got his years mixed up.  We all know that they will be in high school next year, and won’t be able to contribute to Duke.

He also is letting two Carolina kids come in early…..NORTH CAROLINA — Ty Lawson should go to the NBA. Wayne Ellington shouldn’t but he will. Ed Davis is a superstar in the making. Marcus Ginyard (foot) returns. Freshmen Reggie Bullock and Kendall Marshall step right in.

Bullock and Marshall are in the same boat Dawkins and Thornton are in, and they are in the class of 2010.

I really do appreciate his opinion that Duke can be good next year, but I would like to know what he thinks about Duke with the correct roster.

Share on Facebook

For a Duke fan that has to watch a NCAA tournament finish up without them, it is painful.  Add in that their rival is the last one standing, it is like a dagger to the heart.  But no matter what happened at the end, I am just glad it is over.  When Duke got eliminated I just wanted if to be over, and be able to move on to the off season.  But there was still a miserable week in which I couldn’t bear to watch Sportscenter.

Even with the celebrating that Duke fans might have to experience from the other side, we can finally move on to hopefully greener pastures.

Now the list of early entries should start shaking out, and of course all the Duke fans care about is what Gerald will do.  Either way we will know by the end of April.  Even hotter than that topic is the late recruiting Duke is involved in with their point guard situation.  The late signing period ends in mid-May, so Duke fans should truly know what they are looking at by then.

Until then try not to speculate to much over what the desicions are concerning current and possibly future players.  Let it run its course and wait till you hear it from the horses mouth.  And for crying out loud get off the message boards and spend time with your family!!!

It is a long way until November, but at least November will come.  In between lets just hope for some good news out of Durham.

Share on Facebook

By now you have heard the story of North Carolina player, Ty Lawson, winning a nice sum of money at a Detroit area casino.  The reason it is a story, is that the NCAA and gambling have a long history in the fact that the NCAA wants nothing to do with it.

Around the Duke Internet forums it has been discussed, but that is what Duke and Carolina do to each other.  Pick apart any negative story about one another.  Duke fans could care less about this, but we won’t miss a beat bashing him and Carolina about it.  That is simply what we do to each other.

It is an interesting time for Lawson, and I am sure the other Carolina players, to be in a casino.  Just a few days from their Final Four game, with the entire country watching.  What if this would be Vegas, not that the NCAA wants any part of Vegas, and Lawson was seen in a casino with legal sports betting?  Then this story would be a hot topic.  But it simply is not.  I don’t care what they do in their free time.  In fact, I would throw in a $100 to the “Lawson Friday Night Strip Joint Extravaganza”.  And also pay the stripper to keep him out till Saturday morning.  That might slow him down a little.

As a craps lover myself, what I wouldn’t give to be on the other side of the table when Lawson gets the dice.  You would never see a bigger pile on the Don\’t Pass Line.  I can dream can’t I?

Share on Facebook

Instead of doing the typical “this recruit is signing” or “UNC has been eliminated from the Final Four because of steroid suspicion” April Fools Day prank, I decided to purpose a few questions that might simply drive you mad.

As if Duke fans aren’t on pins and needles already this week, I thought I might add to their anxiety.  So if this effects you emotionally in anyway I apologize.

Question 1:

Harrison Barnes or John Wall?
Point blank right now.  You get John Wall for 2009 and that’s it.  Or you get Harrison Barnes for who knows how long in the 2010.  You can’t have both and one trumps the other.  Would you take the title shot next year but miss out on possibly a jersey retiring player in a monster class that could lead to multiple championships?  Or do we just ride next year out seeing what the boys can do, and wait to see the next “Fab ___” in 2010?

Is your head hurting yet?  How about now?

Question 2:
Your son is one of the most sought after recruits in the senior class.  Duke says they would love to have him, but they are full at his position and wish him luck.  The rest of the schools know they can’t get him so they lay off, except for two coaches.  Roy Williams of North Carolina and John Calipari of Kentucky.  As a life long Duke fan can you let your son play for UNC?  Possibly seeing him beat your favorite team?  There is a hall of fame coach, but you obviously can’t stand to hear him talk.  Or do you send him to one of the sketchiest coaches in college basketball?  Not so much caring about the Kentucky part, but consider that every time “Slick John” calls to talk to your son your skin crawls.  No other option.  One or the other.  What is your decision?

Share on Facebook