Harry Giles

[Danger 35 Zone]

Here is an absolute amazing article on the young man, if you haven't read it. I am so glad he represents Duke University.

http://www.cbssports.com/college-ba...-shadow-of-his-former-self-but-he-sees-light/

A couple of takeaways from the article. First this should end the talking idiots(Even though we know they will still claim it was K's decision) over at THR that think K made Giles play.

"Mike Krzyzewski and his staff did not pressure him one way or the other, Giles said. They presented advice and all the options. Giles’ decision to suit up was based in good part on not wanting to feel like he was “using the program” and getting a scholarship but skating by with not playing, effectively only using the school as a stop-over."

Also an added bonus, read the quotes however you would like but does give me a little hope.

" I can’t can’t miss another season. I can’t really afford that, especially at Duke, and it’s college. Stay one year, two years, you don’t know how long it is. Can’t just sit out and let it blow by.”

"But if he stays, the 2018 draft class is considered weaker than 2017’s, particularly at the top. Giles could get exponentially better and be the healthy focal point on Duke’s team next season. If it happens, he’d likely parlay that into being a top-five pick"

"Giles gives no indications on what’s coming in the spring. It is going to make for one of the biggest and most intriguing NBA Draft storylines."

“I just needed something to make me feel better,” Giles said. “I still have time. It’s only February and there’s still a lot season left and a lot of time left after the season, who knows.”

 

[MyDudeG]

Just seems like such a great kid. I'll say it before and I'll say it again, you could still see flashes of why he was the top ranked player in his class. I'm still of the belief that there's no way he'll risk coming back for another season. He's still a first round pick regardless if he doesn't score another basket all season. I want to see him get his guaranteed money and am going to enjoy the passion and heart he brings to this team for as long as we have him.

 

[dukephysics]

Works his ass off. That guy isn't out there protecting himself - he wants to compete. I'm glad we have him.

 

[dukiejay]

Good article. Great kid.

 

[skysdad]

Come final four time he's going to be a factor. OFC

 

[Mac9192]

Good article. Let's you know a little more about a kid and what is going on in his head. I don't know him but wish him the best and no matter what happens I'm glad he plays for Duke

 

[HeLooks2MuchLikeDave]

Final Four MOP. Wouldn't that be something???

 

[Mpm277]

"Whereas he used to be compared to NBA greats, now he’s compared to a younger, better version of himself."

Sheesh. That's got to mess with your psyche; especially at 18 years old.

 

[dukephysics]

"Whereas he used to be compared to NBA greats, now he’s compared to a younger, better version of himself."

Sheesh. That's got to mess with your psyche; especially at 18 years old.

I'd love to be compared (physically) to a younger better version of myself.

 

[crazyduke3]

I feel bad for the kid. He's clearly forced into lying. After all, THR swears that K held Harry's head under boiling water until Harry swore one year of basketball and his first borns soul or drown right then and there. So this whole "The Duke staff didn't pressure me at all and supported whichever choice I made" can't possibly be true!!!

 

[dukephysics]

It should be criminal that K didn't redshirt him.

 

[LH24ND]

Badly needs to come back !

 

[timo0402]

Badly needs to come back !

For us or him?

 

[HeelsShmeels]

I wonder if someday we will know if the limited minutes he has played this year was " All for the Best", or if another program may have played him 25-30 mpg with no health problems? No way to tell at this point.

 

[timo0402]

I wonder if someday we will know if the limited minutes he has played this year was " All for the Best", or if another program may have played him 25-30 mpg with no health problems? No way to tell at this point.

Huh?

 

[HeelsShmeels]

Has the plan in which Harry's procession this year been the only way to go with him, or would another program had wanted to play him more because they needed his talent? And would that have worked?

 

[timo0402]

Has the plan in which Harry's procession this year been the only way to go with him, or would another program had wanted to play him more because they needed his talent? And would that have worked?

I'd read the article, or read it again if you have because it answers your question of his options and how he weighed them. He was never going anywhere else so it's not really a discussion.

 

[Mac9192]

I'm no doctor and not on the inside but I think Duke has brought him along about as well as you could without risking more injury. Some may be mental with him at this point but I'm not 100% sure

 

[Mac9192]

I'd read the article, or read it again if you have because it answers your question of his options and how he weighed them. He was never going anywhere else so it's not really a discussion.

I think he's asking a what if scenario that if he would have gone to another school

 

[Danger 35 Zone]

I feel bad for the kid. He's clearly forced into lying. After all, THR swears that K held Harry's head under boiling water until Harry swore one year of basketball and his first borns soul or drown right then and there. So this whole "The Duke staff didn't pressure me at all and supported whichever choice I made" can't possibly be true!!!

You also forgot the other theory at THR. That Giles should of been redshirted but if Giles returned it would of F'd up Duke's recruiting class next year. Selfish K, forcing Giles to play, so he might get drafted and doesn't screw up Carters recruitment.

 

[pisgah101]

I feel like he needs to come back for his sake not dukes. He's shown really nothing in terms of pro-potential in over two years. He'll get drafted 1st round but he could do a lot better then where he'll land if he has the potential everyone seems to believe he does..

 

[HuffyJB]

I think there is definitely enough reason for Harry to think about coming back. With a good year he would go from mid/late first round this year to top 5 in 2018. That would mean going from $1.3 million the 1st year of your contract (according to where Draft Express currently has him) to over $4 million. Or from making $1.4 million your third year to $4 to 5 million. That is certainly enough to make one think.

Even so, I think he goes. It might be too much of a risk for a guy with two knee surgeries to stick around another year and not start getting paid. And Duke fans should have no problem with that - he has been a great teammate and an asset to the team, for however long he sticks around. I would love to be cheering for him in Duke blue next year, but I'll cheer for him in whatever professional colors he wears as well.

 

[Duke It Out]

I really feel that Harry is closer to his old self than he has been able to let on. At this point, I think it is 70% mental and 30% physical. Not saying he doesn't trust his knees, but rather he just isn't back into form yet. He has a lot of rust to shake off and it takes time. He isn't trying to be a good YMCA player, he is trying to be good at high- level basketball. That level of play doesn't just come back in one or two months time after what he has been through. Barring re-injury, he will still be a hell of player.

 

[jcdevilfan]

OP, good post and story. I think the best thing to do concerning Giles is let this season play out. He is really coming on and getting his confidence back, and if he stays healthy, there's no telling what he might do. What we saw from Giles at Virginia was not just a "flash in the pan", it is a beginning of what's to come! He could still shoot up in the draft if he can stay healthy for the remainder of the season, and I for one, think that is exactly what's going to happen. He's seems to be a really nice young man with a good head on his shoulders, and good things usually happen to someone like that.
Oh yeah, and let's not forget, he has the best support in College, and "K" will do his best to advise and take care of him. The best of Mr. Giles might be coming in March.
Go Duke!
OFC

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

It's been a painful process for Harry, but you can see the flashes of greatness. Harry is getting better, Duke is getting better, and that's not just a coincidence. The confidence is growing, and that's the biggest part of the equation imo.

As far as coming back to Duke, I don't think so, and I wouldn't either. As DJ says, you can rehab, or get in shape in the NBA and get paid for it. If Harry comes back, and has another major injury (especially knee) his pro prospects are severely diminished, or over.

But before making that decision, there are a lot of games left to leave a good impression. We saw that Grayson elevated his stock in his freshman season by his late play (even though he didn't leave). If Harry has a few really good games (and I look for it to happen), or makes some game changing plays, the GM's won't be able to help themselves (considering how good Harry was before all this happened) and he could very well end back up in the lottery. It's a what have you did for me lately world, and how you finish up is what is remembered.
Go Harry, and go Duke!

OFC

 

[TRU CANE]

He's getting better and better IMO. If Harry goes off for like 20 pts 10 rebounds, even if just one game during ACC or tourney play, I think his stock will be back where it was originally projected. Look at Joel Embid and how Philly managed that situation, now kid is paying dividends. Harry just needs to stay healthy and keep this steady improvement going. If he explodes one night soon or in March it's icing on the cake for him and for Duke.

 

[HeLooks2MuchLikeDave]

Harry Giles will be a top 10 pick, mark it down.

 

[pisgah101]

Harry Giles will be a top 10 pick, mark it down.

This year?

 

[Dukesince90]

Harry Giles will be a top 10 pick, mark it down.

I agree. He's making progress each game. When I saw him dive for the loose ball the other night, I thought that was a great sign. It showed that he's starting to get over the mental part of being injured and he's reacting and not thinking. I think we will see him come into form these next 6 weeks.

 

[youngman42]

I suspect how he plays the next month (hopefully, month and a half!) and in those NBA pre-camp scrimmages as well as projections K gets for the draft will determine his decision.

I think that he'd do well to stay another year. Look at Wake's John Collins (who is killing us today).

Freshman: 14.4 mpg, 7.3 ppg., & 3.9 rpg. to ...
Soph: 25.5 mpg. 18.5 ppg., 9.4 rpg.

If Giles did something like that or showed that capability as a sophomore (and I think Giles is more versatile than Collins) he would be a top 5 if not top of the draft choice.

 

[youngman42]

I feel like he needs to come back for his sake not dukes. He's shown really nothing in terms of pro-potential in over two years. He'll get drafted 1st round but he could do a lot better then where he'll land if he has the potential everyone seems to believe he does..

I agree that he should come back. If he were drafted in the 1st round I could only see it being a team that is already a consistent winner and has a long term horizon.

Personally, I think he's undraftable in round 1. Round 2 definitely (but then it's not a guaranteed contract and I can't see him making an NBA roster otherwise next year).

Look at the Wake game today. He didn't even play in the 2nd half. If you can't get on the court in an entire half because you just aren't competitive - then how does that translate at all to the NBA?

But, he is a really good kid from all that I've read and rooting for him. I do think it's best for him to come back, get 100% healthy, Lord willing, physically and mentally, and show his skills to the NBA.

 

[MyDudeG]

I agree that he should come back. If he were drafted in the 1st round I could only see it being a team that is already a consistent winner and has a long term horizon.

Personally, I think he's undraftable in round 1. Round 2 definitely (but then it's not a guaranteed contract and I can't see him making an NBA roster otherwise next year).

Look at the Wake game today. He didn't even play in the 2nd half. If you can't get on the court in an entire half because you just aren't competitive - then how does that translate at all to the NBA?

But, he is a really good kid from all that I've read and rooting for him. I do think it's best for him to come back, get 100% healthy, Lord willing, physically and mentally, and show his skills to the NBA.

The NBA drafts on potential. It's the same reason Luke Kennard could be one of the top players in the nation, but will not be considered as a lottery pick. Harry Giles is coming off serious injuries and has a lot of question marks around him, but he was still considered one of the best prospects in recent years and someone will take a chance on him in the first round.

 

[dukiejay]

He's not coming back.

 

[Jake1985]

And from what is being said now is Luke is 60/40 going too

 

[Duke It Out]

The current climate just isn't as fun as it once was. One of the best aspects of CBB is being able to see players grow over and develop over time. I know guys still develop in the NBA, but I am not a avid NBA fan. The NBA game doesn't have the emotion and effort level of a CBB game. There isn't as much pride in putting on a jersey you are paid to where versus one you chose to wear.

I know we aren't going to be able to keep those elite one and done talents, but when we start losing talent like Kennard after 2 years, what is it coming to? I'm not knocking him, he is a hell of player, but he is the type of player that in years past would be around for 4 years.

This is bad for college basketball and it is bad for the NBA. Both entities were offering a better product in the 80's and part of the 90's because there wasn't this huge focus on potential. The NBA was also a man's game then versus being a young man's game now.

That's my rant for today. If we don't retain Luke or Grayson it will be extremely disappointing.

 

[pisgah101]

And from what is being said now is Luke is 60/40 going too

And what have you heard?

 

[DukeDenver]

The current climate just isn't as fun as it once was. One of the best aspects of CBB is being able to see players grow over and develop over time. I know guys still develop in the NBA, but I am not a avid NBA fan. The NBA game doesn't have the emotion and effort level of a CBB game. There isn't as much pride in putting on a jersey you are paid to where versus one you chose to wear.

I know we aren't going to be able to keep those elite one and done talents, but when we start losing talent like Kennard after 2 years, what is it coming to? I'm not knocking him, he is a hell of player, but he is the type of player that in years past would be around for 4 years.

This is bad for college basketball and it is bad for the NBA. Both entities were offering a better product in the 80's and part of the 90's because there wasn't this huge focus on potential. The NBA was also a man's game then versus being a young man's game now.

That's my rant for today. If we don't retain Luke or Grayson it will be extremely disappointing.

The NBA's product is at an all time high. College basketball is turning into a recruiting showcase.

 

[QC Dukie]

I would rather watch south conn st vs eastern Idaho play than an NBA game. That's just me. Not an NBA fan at all.

 

[timo0402]

The NBA's product is at an all time high. College basketball is turning into a recruiting showcase.

Wrong.

 

[DukeDenver]

Wrong.

Which part? The NBA is blowing up right now and going international.

The college game has become a recruiting spree.