Coach K needs to use Baker .

[acc hoops]

Baker needs to watch film of JJ Redick and especially Duncan Robinson getting open for shots. Granted Duke has not tried to set screens for him to get him free but Baker needs to constantly be in motion when he is playing offense. Miami uses floppy sets, pin downs and screens to get Robinson open. I would like to see Baket get at least 5 three point shots a game. I believe he will average making 2 and Duke should get at least 1 of the 3 rebounds on the missed shots. Have Moore going for offensive rebounds and setting screens.
‘I would like to see Duke play a 2 guard lineup limiting the minutes of Goldwire and Moore on the court at the same time.
Baker’s defense has improved. Give him a chance and get him some shots.

 

[VaBlueDevil33]

And here we go again

 

[timo0402]

I don’t hate it. Thought Baker played well the last Couple outings in limited minutes. Defensively not too bad, certainly no worse than some others. He has no plays run for him and is probably the best shooter on the team. It sure as shit couldn’t hurt giving him a few looks. Him standing in the corners doing nothing doesn’t help us.

 

[christophero]

It might help if his teammates passed him the ball.

 

[acc hoops]

He was open a few times last night and Steward did not pass it to him.
‘For many years Duke has the talent to create their own offense But that is not the case this year. It may be too late but Duke needs to run a structured offense like UVA or Wisconsin. To do that they have to cut back on turnovers.

 

[sheyduke]

After last night I’m all for him getting some shots. Like stated couldn’t be no worse and I’m not buying the whole of you don’t play defense you don’t play for K. Because over half the team is lost on D

 

[durhamgolfer]

I don’t hate it. Thought Baker played well the last Couple outings in limited minutes. Defensively not too bad, certainly no worse than some others. He has no plays run for him and is probably the best shooter on the team. It sure as shit couldn’t hurt giving him a few looks. Him standing in the corners doing nothing doesn’t help us.

The problem is that he has been missing so much that it has really effected his confidence. There were a number of times where he turned down an open look at a three pointer or took a step inside the three to get rid of his defender and then decided against shooting. He may need to get out of his own way.

 

[durhamgolfer]

After last night I’m all for him getting some shots. Like stated couldn’t be no worse and I’m not buying the whole of you don’t play defense you don’t play for K. Because over half the team is lost on D

The defense issues are frustrating, especially since the defensive team has shown up in the second half. It is almost as if they need to see what the other team is doing for a half before they come together and do what they need to do. Young team with only a few games under their belt. Hopefully with a few more games, we will see real progress. Or not. I still really like this team, warts and all.

 

[kingbluedevil]

He has become hesitant on offense. He needs to be our Cone when he comes in the game. Let it fly and if he is hot he could really give a boost. I played in a church league one year and the coach told me to shoot it every time I got the ball. He may not want to do that. 😂

 

[christophero]

He has become hesitant on offense. He needs to be our Cone when he comes in the game. Let it fly and if he is hot he could really give a boost. I played in a church league one year and the coach told me to shoot it every time I got the ball. He may not want to do that. 😂

My dad was a high school coach and told me a story about a kid whose uncle gave him a dollar every time he shot. He said something like "they don't give scholarships for playing defense"

 

[geddoughton23]

Baker is a good passer. He is particularly adept at getting the ball to Hurt in good position. Baker has a nice shot, but he thinks too much. I would tell him that he will play 22 minutes as long as he shoots with confidence every time he is open. If he passes up a shot, he doesn't play at all

 

[timo0402]

The problem is that he has been missing so much that it has really effected his confidence. There were a number of times where he turned down an open look at a three pointer or took a step inside the three to get rid of his defender and then decided against shooting. He may need to get out of his own way.

But he really hasn’t been missing. He hasn’t had looks. In the last three games combined he’s 2-3 (1-1 from 3). The most Amount of shots he’s taken in a game is 4. It’s such a tiny sample size. I’ll agree he’s passed on a couple borderline but that doesn’t seem to be the glaring issue. The issue Is he’s not getting good looks. Part of that is on him and part of that is on the coaching staffs use of him. IMO we have nothing to lose by figuring out ways to get our best shooter some more looks. It would help spread the floor for our slashers.

 

[AlanInNJ]

But he really hasn’t been missing. He hasn’t had looks. In the last three games combined he’s 2-3 (1-1 from 3). The most Amount of shots he’s taken in a game is 4. It’s such a tiny sample size. I’ll agree he’s passed on a couple borderline but that doesn’t seem to be the glaring issue. The issue Is he’s not getting good looks. Part of that is on him and part of that is on the coaching staffs use of him. IMO we have nothing to lose by figuring out ways to get our best shooter some more looks. It would help spread the floor for our slashers.

Agree 100%. If Baker is there to be primarily a spot up three point shooter, why not run some screens for him to get open for a couple shots towards the end of the VT game? Instead we had two players who have not shot the ball well recently jack up threes late in the game. One nearly broke the backboard.

I think we have to give Baker some credit on the D side of the ball. He has made some solid plays recently. He's shown some hustle too on both ends. He's earning his time. I just wish he could get a few open looks a game.

 

[kingbluedevil]

Agree 100%. If Baker is there to be primarily a spot up three point shooter, why not run some screens for him to get open for a couple shots towards the end of the VT game? Instead we had two players who have not shot the ball well recently jack up threes late in the game. One nearly broke the backboard.

I think we have to give Baker some credit on the D side of the ball. He has made some solid plays recently. He's shown some hustle too on both ends. He's earning his time. I just wish he could get a few open looks a game.

I agree after Moore shot his 3 point brick if I was a ref I would have stopped the game and checked out that backboard.

 

[jwill133]

Baker was REALLY bad up until the past 2 games IMO, he was unplayable. I don't think K has been unfair with Bakers minutes the past 2 games. However, I do think Baker has earned more minutes with his defense (crazy to think), sometimes you just need to be tall and long, and Baker has that (more than our guards). He has been staying in good position and isn't making any mistakes.

The offense will come for him, we need to find a way to get him open for 3 more. He's never gonna be great off the bounce, he throws some wild passes/shots when he attacks the lane. He isn't turning the ball over at an alarming rate when he's in either unlike AOC last year.

 

[HuffyJB]

I am with the consensus in that I don't recall seeing anything run at any point to try to get Joey a look. I guess that doesn't mean it hasn't happened though.

 

[lyonhawk]

Baker strikes me better as a stand still spot up shooter. Someone who stands on the wing/corner and gets kick outs from drivers. I’m not sure he has the quick release of someone like JJ or Klay who runs people off 1000 screens and then drops the first shot he gets with three inches of space. He would also benefit from a post presence like Carey who could collapse the D and then kick it back out. Having him drop the ball into Hurt on the block and being ready for the kick out when his man doubles down is something we should be doing a lot more.

 

[loadedquestion]

whatever Baker is or isnt I convinced he's better than our "captain" Wendell who misses jump shots 4 inches to the right and passes the ball to the thiird row. can we just give the kid some consistent minutes without fear of the hook to see what he is or isnt???

 

[hart2chesson]

can we just give the kid some consistent minutes without fear of the hook to see what he is or isnt???

Thats the key I think for Joey. That K short leash on Baker has a pretty tight grip from K....OFC

 

[Liftee]

Coach K has had a short leash for those he doesn't trust forever: Nolan Smith, Quinn Cook, AOC, etc. Whereas Paulus had the longest leash in history. It takes a special player to play through that. AOC couldn't , Nolan and Quinn could. Let's see with Baker.

 

[acc hoops]

Wish he would tell him “ I am putting you in the game at first timeout and you are not coming out until the under 12 TO. I want you to get off 3-4 shots. If you don’t you won’t play anymore in the game.
I think we would see a different Joey

 

[hart2chesson]

Wish he would tell him “ I am putting you in the game at first timeout and you are not coming out until the under 12 TO. I want you to get off 3-4 shots. If you don’t you won’t play anymore in the game.
I think we would see a different Joey

I like it! OFC

 

[Duke1783]

Watching film of JJ is one thing, actually doing it is a whole other story

 

[skysdad]

Watching film of JJ is one thing, actually doing it is a whole other story

I always like watch film of JJ Redick or watching him play on television in the NBA or his time at Duke. To me his form and release was perfect. Don't know if we will ever have another shooter like JJ Redick. OFC

 

[Duke1783]

I always like watch film of JJ Redick or watching him play on television in the NBA or his time at Duke. To me his form and release was perfect. Don't know if we will ever have another shooter like JJ Redick. OFC

I don’t think so either.

 

[AlanInNJ]

At nearly double Zion's age, JJ's has been an incredible career. He's arguably one of the best pure shooters to ever lace 'em up. It's so awesome to see, and it was incredible to have him at Duke for 4 years. His shot form is a thing of beauty. Every shot looks like its going in!

 

[kingbluedevil]

Watching film of JJ is one thing, actually doing it is a whole other story

The games that I attended that JJ was playing he was the first player out for either team for warmups. In the ACC championship one year against NC State he took the game over last 10 minutes. I had a tarheel fan with me and he was cheering for him like everyone else in the coliseum.

 

[skysdad]

There is only one JJ for Duke. Wish fans would stop referring to Jalen Johnson as JJ. It's like a few years back when Gerald Henderson was being called G-man. Mike Gminski was G-man. OFC

 

[timo0402]

The games that I attended that JJ was playing he was the first player out for either team for warmups. In the ACC championship one year against NC State he took the game over last 10 minutes. I had a tarheel fan with me and he was cheering for him like everyone else in the coliseum.

One of the games i rewatch the most is that ACC Championship his freshman year. I can’t help but rewind to watch that pump fake dagger three he hit, leading to a state time out. Running down the court, Duhon jumping all over him in celebration.

 

[christophero]

Baker is like JJ if JJ made one out of every 10 shots and scored every other game. That said I think Baker is way better than he has showed.

 

[kingbluedevil]

One of the games i rewatch the most is that ACC Championship his freshman year. I can’t help but rewind to watch that pump fake dagger three he hit, leading to a state time out. Running down the court, Duhon jumping all over him in celebration.

I've been to a lot of ACC tournament games over the years but that come from behind win against the Wolfpack was the best. I think JJ scored 16 in a row towards the end of the game. State had played great the whole tournament but ran out of gas. JJ was awsome to watch pregame for anyone that likes to see a great shooter. He made about 10 3 pointers in a row off the glass.

 

[bleediteveryday30]

Hard to pick a favorite JJ moment. Of all the kids that have come down the pipeline he and Sheldon are the two I wish had hung a banner more than any others I believe. Many Duke fans are sore the most over '99. Not me, '04 is the one that stings the most in my book. '01 really took care of '99 for me. The '03 ACC championship game is one of the all time great JJ and Duke moments though. That team overachieved big time that season. All the talent they lost from the '02 team to come back and win the ACC Championship and be within a couple of possessions of beating Kansas and going to an elite eight was remarkable in my opinion.

 

[bleediteveryday30]

Also, in regards to the thread title, yes...we should be using Baker more. That said, his defense and energy off of the bench of late has been outstanding.

 

[kingbluedevil]

Need Baker to step up along with Moore and Johnson to beat Pitt.

 

[BlueDevilStop]

Need Baker to step up along with Moore and Johnson to beat Pitt.

Would be great to see a big game from Baker. He's due for a game where he hits like three 3 pointers.

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

There is only one JJ for Duke. Wish fans would stop referring to Jalen Johnson as JJ. It's like a few years back when Gerald Henderson was being called G-man. Mike Gminski was G-man. OFC

I thought it was just G...

 

[HuffyJB]

I was at that 2003 ACC Championship game. A lot of fun, and definitely JJ's coming out party in a lot of ways. Duke was down like 15 with ten minutes left, and he just took over and hit everything down the stretch. You were just kind of on the edge of your seat whenever he touched the ball.

 

[kingbluedevil]

I was at that 2003 ACC Championship game. A lot of fun, and definitely JJ's coming out party in a lot of ways. Duke was down like 15 with ten minutes left, and he just took over and hit everything down the stretch. You were just kind of on the edge of your seat whenever he touched the ball.

That's probably when all the Carolina and Maryland fans starting hating him

 

[skysdad]

That's probably when all the Carolina and Maryland fans starting hating him

They hated him when he committed to Duke. OFC

 

[VaBlueDevil33]

They hated him when he committed to Duke. OFC

100% true

I was at his high school game the night after he committed to duke and they were all over him from the warm-ups and stayed on him till the final buzzer...oh yeah he scored about 40pts that night too lol