It is clear that everyone will have their take -away restaurants, see hot takes and see things completely differently about the Duke Open practitioners. After viewing them 3 times in their entirety, I immerse my toe in those waters and add my own takes. Prefaced this by saying that it is Augustus and everything we have seen, not only a grain of salt, but also a whole pillar must be taken. That means both the good and the bad. With the absence of college basketball, we taste on what we have … Always.
After the scrimmage, coach Jon Scheyer said that we now know what we are and where we should go (I paraphrase). You really can’t know that the areas that need to be tackled, early bad habits and even areas you think are on the rise without turning on the lights and placing the team there. I welcome the coaching staff for that, because it invites all the early smoke from that in the media.
I will start with the not so great – what is to be expected again in August:
Must be improved
Turnover
It is the likely result of a new team, still in the process of learning, but some steps were lazy, especially around the circumference. Easily chosen. I think the majority of these mistakes was not because of the Point Guards, but the wings, 4s and 5s. It leads me to the area that I think this team should improve the most, which is a non-point guard. It will be important that Duke’s wings, in particular, become much better threats with the ball, not just to score, but as secondary ball handlers. For a team as young as this, it is to ensure the utmost importance for basketball. You never know the rebound insight of a team before the season, even with boys who are likely to be strong rebounders, so Duke has to keep the assets positive, missing photos is fine – giving up extra assets without even getting a shot is a knight.
Ending on the edge
I saw many plays on the edge where the wings and Bigs were beaten their block and either did not get any good shots, turned the ball or just did not get through the contact. This is a skill that a team is as small as Duke on the circumference and the wing will have to be much better. The goal is to be polluted, but with different playing styles, and referees who postpone to different styles that get inconsistent shots on the edge is crucial if you drive, if not, there must be an intermediate game. I am not here to say that it will be a problem for Duke in the future, just base this from 24 minutes in August, so don’t come for me.
Scotty selection
Everyone is excited to wear fans in the stands and the lights, but I think Duke occasionally took a number of photos that seemed a bit … wild or rushed, some last resort photos much too early in the shot clock. I would credit intense defense, but I think it was probably more guys who just wanted to prove themselves and did not want to see open guys in the first instance to go on. That said, I think you should take pictures that you know you can make, Patrick Ewing Meme in line …
I think with this coaching staff, especially Evan Bradds in the mix, determining the difference between a good and great shot will be something that will get a lot of attention.
Movement of the ball
I didn’t expect anything like a finished product in terms of how the boys move, this looked more like a run than a game, and that’s ok. Some boys have an intrinsic ability to move without the ball, and some have the habit of looking. I would think that this will also be a point of emphasis for the staff, the ball must continue to move like a hot potato. Taking good and fast decisions is a process that requires more practice and much more time together on the field. I think this kind of scrimmage is a good way to cherish instincts and see who knows what and what an emerging skill is in contrast to a skilled.
The good and great
I really like the fact that Cam Boozer was guarded by different positions, from guards to Bigs. He was never rattled, just went to work. It is clear that with a variety of effectiveness, but it seems to be able to score everywhere and his instincts are of the charts. Doesn’t seem to accelerate anything – where for both Boozer brothers, actually. I noticed that with how aggressive he is when he gets the ball, he is going to shoot a lot of free throws for Duke. The only thing about his aggressiveness is that it is not reckless aggressiveness. He assesses the situation and makes the right decision. In addition to his work in the paint, Cam, who raises the ball, will cause a lot of damage to opposing defenses and creating opportunities for everyone.
Pat Ngongba played, but it seemed clear to me that he is still working his way back – having said that, he was still effective. His natural power is just great to look. Pat has incredible hands and feeling. His IQ for passing is outside the charts and he makes bag cards as a professional. For a big one to be able to read defenses and cuts from teammates, just as fast as he is in his career, a game change can be, provided that Duke can keep him healthy. His ability to shoot this season can also be a huge plus for the Blue Devils, he has that power, and it can be a wrinkle for Duke to exploit this next season.
Speaking of shooting, Darren Harris may have the fastest release in college basketball. He just needs a little time to get a really good shot. I think he can get this next season with a better shooting percentage than Evans did last season (around 40-41%). Smart is a man who can get into this rhythms, but I think his release is a little slower (literally a bit) than Harris’, I saw a few shots of smart where it took a second to realize that he was open and he rushed in the shot. Harris, I feel that there is not someone who needs the second adjustment. Duke is blessed with both boys on the wing with talent. It also seems that Evans has worked extensively on what happens on the field if you are in the 3-point marker, it seems to be more effective in the middle range than a year ago and in the post. It is still to be seen how effective he will be there, but it is clear that he has worked on that part of his game. As far as Harris is concerned, when he learns to use his body on the edge (he has a very solid foundation), he can be a very well -completed player. We know what he can do 22 feet from the basket, I am much more interested in how it was developed from 2 to 4 feet distance.
I really loved the little bit of lady that we saw. Dame Sarr is a unique basketball player. There is a lot to be found there. We know that he can shoot the ball well, we know that he has the opportunity to end up on the edge, and perhaps even more importantly, we know that he can be a nightmare for opposing guards with his height. He covers the ground and is self -evident for so long that he should be able to monitor multiple positions with relatively ease. I think SARR, more than anyone else, this season outside the season, needs the attention of the staff. His adaptation of international game to what Duke is trying to do is one of the most important storylines for the Blue Devils that will start this season. If I would choose Tent Piles for Duke this season, the integration of Dame would be one of them. The distance at the university ball is different, it moves at a different speed and if SARR can get there, go to where he doesn’t have to think, but just do it – this team will be something. When he looked it, and he will – incrementally, it is a pleasure to look.
Finally, the most important thing that I saw that Duke has 2 -point guard has options with different skills. You could tell a lot that Cayden Boozer will be good for Caleb Foster, and that Caleb Foster will be good for Cayden Boozer. Their work against each other, iron will, as it were, will sharpen, will be the difference for me in what this team pushes to a good run after the season or only a decent season. Caleb is a natural scorer and Cayden is a man with a view to running the attack, if both can steal a bit of the game of others, this team makes a considerable jump from good to great.
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