Got to have the Chemistry.

[Showenuff]

Once again, we have incredible freshmen and tons of skill. To me, this group will take a little more work on K's part to create that family our last group had. The other team just seemed like one. They were totally together, that's why they won it all. I really hope this crew gets to that point. It takes more than just skill to get to the Final Four. We seem to have a wide range of personalities this time. Kinda concerns me Quinn is gone. He was the tie that bound them. I hope someone else can fill that void. I know K already has a plan working in that direction. It's funny as you get older you recognize more and more about what's really going on with our team and the hurdles Coach maneuvers every season. He truly is a master at molding young men into Champions.

 

[CRAZIE4LIFE]

Quinn was definitely a huge leader and a bond guy, I don't know if any of the upper classmen really that factor about them. All super young men and nothing against them, but I do hope they bond and have that brotherly love impact on one another.

 

[skysdad]

We really need to be patient with this group and let the season flow. I got to leave it Coach Ks hands. I actually think we are a whole lot deeper than last years team but like Show said last year's guys had something special Still feel like last years championship was remarkable . Coach K did it with 8 players and with two of his top players on the bench for an extended period of time during the championship game. When we look back years from now at the 2014-2015 team it's gonna be bigger and even more remarkable. OFC

 

[dukehokie]

As much as I love Amile, and think he can and will be a good leader, I think Derryck is the key to this team's chemistry. Battier was an exception, typically the leader is the man who can make you look good or bad and that's the point guard.

There's a reason he was handed the keys and a reason why Giles, Tatum and some others yet to be named want to play at Duke next year. Derryck has a Quinn personality and can be a good leader. I think he'll garner some major respect in the locker room.

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

I don't know how well the new players will mesh with the returning guys, but K will get the best possible results from it. I feel pretty good about our team as far as leadership is concerned. We did lose Quinn, and we lost a guy with a huge set of stones also, but we've got a really good core of guys coming back. Amile, Marshall, Matt, and Grayson have got a lot to offer. For one thing, they know what it takes to win a championship (no small thing), and they survived a difficult situation concerning Sheed, and what direction their team and season were headed for if a correction wasn't made. A hard decision was made by Coach K (and probably some of the players didn't agree), but it showed that team goals supersede any one player, and that leadership requires the ability to make difficult decisions. These returning players have experienced an incredible high of a championship, but they battled through adversity to get to their goal. That experience will help them anchor this team (and the incoming studs) during rough times. Oh, and we still have the G.O.A.T. We're in good hands.

OFC

 

[dbav]

Good post Show. The only part I would differ on is that it will take more effort from K than last season. I'm not sure that is the case. Last year we had a player that seemed to be impacting the chemistry on the whole team and K had to take an unprecedented step to resolve the issue. It is my hope that a situation like that isn't present again.

I think having that wide range of personalities could be good, and if the biggest issue is just finding common ground, then we could be in great shape.

 

[Skeelow22]

This team has the potential to be a deadly team come March. But a lot has to happen between November - March. Last years team was very special. The older I get the more I realize how very very hard it is for a college to win a national championship. We have been blessed as Duke fans. In my 20's I had that mind set Duke should win every year. But as the years go, I see more and more it takes a lot of chemistry, balance, friendship bonds, and luck to win it all. I think this team has the potential to go far.

I agree the 14-15 team was very special. 10 years form now I believe we all will still be talking on here about the 14-15 team!

 

[jamsession3]

You can not measure chemistry...not even a SHIP. I worry about our freshmen believing the other 'players', not coach, are proven. Yes, we did win a Ship, but Quinn was proven in scoring, assist, steals, and let me not forget bad attitude, confrontation, low self esteem, and turmoil. The other 4 witnessed, but Quinn was a part of the Austin, Jabari, Mike G, Sheed, etc... Yes, Quinn will be missed as a leader, but I have faith in Grayson, Marshall, Amile and Matt. Injury, transfers, and confrontations will happen, but its something that can overcome.

 

[jamsession3]

Let me clear up when I say Austin, Jabari, Mike G, and Sheed, its about standing out, wanting to be the man, not playing defense, not putting the team first, believing you should be the first or second option, looking at your stats and not the team.

 

[skysdad]

This team will end up having it's own identity. There are several players who could lead us in scoring. A solid deep front line with experience and talent. Will be interesting to see how Coach K brings them along and how he's rotation pans out. And one more thing. Let's try to refrain from the transfer talk unless it happens. OFC

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

This team has the potential to be a deadly team come March. But a lot has to happen between November - March. Last years team was very special. The older I get the more I realize how very very hard it is for a college to win a national championship. We have been blessed as Duke fans. In my 20's I had that mind set Duke should win every year. But as the years go, I see more and more it takes a lot of chemistry, balance, friendship bonds, and luck to win it all. I think this team has the potential to go far.

I agree the 14-15 team was very special. 10 years form now I believe we all will still be talking on here about the 14-15 team!

Yes, we've been very fortunate, Skee. Before the 1st title I was a little demoralized...thinking maybe it wasn't to be (after all the FF's without a championship. When we won the first one I was so happy...felt like the monkey was off Duke basketball's back. These championships are tough to come by, and I never thought that we would be up to 5 by now.
I'm a very, very happy Duke fan...but I wouldn't mind a bit if another banner or two went up before I depart.

And yes again, I agree that the 2014-15 team was very special...and won't be forgotten.

OFC

 

[crazyduke3]

That Chemistry is a pretty big deal and I doubt next year we will have it as strong. But I do believe we could have the stuff for a FF nonetheless.

 

[skysdad]

That Chemistry is a pretty big deal and I doubt next year we will have it as strong. But I do believe we could have the stuff for a FF nonetheless.

Our experienced leaders like last year will have a lot to do with how the chemistry goes. OFC

 

[df64]

One of my favorite K quotes was in response to a question he was asked before winning any National Titles. Basically, the question was, you have been to a bunch of final fours and haven't won any. Why not? K's answer: "Because it is really, really hard." Even with the best of teams, years, luck, etc., this basic concept is still all too true. I think most sports fans forget this.

One thing this team has, is a lot of very, very hard workers. I like that, in addition to everything else this team possesses.

 

[jamsession3]

Luck... Fans need to have more respect for that word.