The past game thread got me thinking, who would you put on a Duke version of Mt. Rushmore. The top 4 don't have to be the best players or coaches Duke has ever had, it would be the most influential members the program has ever seen. Put up your four and add a reason why.
Vic Bubas - Duke's first great coach and the reason Duke was a sustainable program in an atmosphere where a private, academic school in the giant ACC would have a tough time. Bubas laid a foundation that the coaches after him (Foster, Waters, Krzyzewski, etc.) could call upon when speaking of tradition and excellence when visiting a young recruit's living room.
Mike Krzyzewski - I mean do I need to explain? Greatest college basketball coach of all time and in the discussion of greatest basketball coach or even just coach of any sport.
Johnny Dawkins - The recruit that laid the groundwork for Coach K's exceptional career. Without Johnny, there may not have been a Laettner, Ferry, or Hill. K's job may not have been saved either.
Christian Laettner - Christian had a career most guys couldn't even dream of having. Widely regarded as a top 10 all-time collegiate player, you know Laettner's specs. Post-Dawkins, his teams kept the momentum the '86 and '87 classes built further cementing Duke's latest run of excellence. Laettner seems like an obvious choice here.
Vic Bubas - Duke's first great coach and the reason Duke was a sustainable program in an atmosphere where a private, academic school in the giant ACC would have a tough time. Bubas laid a foundation that the coaches after him (Foster, Waters, Krzyzewski, etc.) could call upon when speaking of tradition and excellence when visiting a young recruit's living room.
Mike Krzyzewski - I mean do I need to explain? Greatest college basketball coach of all time and in the discussion of greatest basketball coach or even just coach of any sport.
Johnny Dawkins - The recruit that laid the groundwork for Coach K's exceptional career. Without Johnny, there may not have been a Laettner, Ferry, or Hill. K's job may not have been saved either.
Christian Laettner - Christian had a career most guys couldn't even dream of having. Widely regarded as a top 10 all-time collegiate player, you know Laettner's specs. Post-Dawkins, his teams kept the momentum the '86 and '87 classes built further cementing Duke's latest run of excellence. Laettner seems like an obvious choice here.