ADVERTISEMENT

Slow Starts

dukeblue77

Recruit
Gold Member
Mar 15, 2024
37
8
8
Duke as consistently had slow starts and I feel that they are always climbing from behind in the early minutes... first half. Thoughts?
 
Considering stats against UK, AZ, KU, Aub, and UL in the first 6 minutes:

Opponents 3FG%: 76% on 21 attempts.

And appears to be consistent. UK was 5/5, UL 3/4, KU 3/4, Auburn 3/4 and AZ 2/4.

For reference, Duke 3FG% in the first 6 minutes if you take Tyrese out of the equation: 25%

My $0.02 - we are testing/falling in love with the 3 ball too early and for whatever weird reason our opponents are catching fire until about the first media timeout.
 
I think part of it is playing Maluach, which let me be clear, we need Maluach to be a title contender. However, he currently has no low post game and teams don't guard him past the foul line. It results in the lane being totally clogged and we then are forced to settle for 3 pointers.

Defensively we are fine and it's too small of a sample size to say our defense is a problem the first few minutes of these games, just have been a bit unlucky.
I don't know if Jon is to blame for this or if we can point to starting 3 freshman as the cause for this, but this can't keep happening. Once the game gets into a flow, we are always the better team.
 
Considering stats against UK, AZ, KU, Aub, and UL in the first 6 minutes:

Opponents 3FG%: 76% on 21 attempts.

And appears to be consistent. UK was 5/5, UL 3/4, KU 3/4, Auburn 3/4 and AZ 2/4.

For reference, Duke 3FG% in the first 6 minutes if you take Tyrese out of the equation: 25%

My $0.02 - we are testing/falling in love with the 3 ball too early and for whatever weird reason our opponents are catching fire until about the first media timeout.
We seem to be chasing instead of guarding shooters in the first half/first part of first half. I don't understand why we do that.

Anyway - I think there are times when other teams have a fast start which gives us the appearance of a slow start. Lot of teams come out with a lot of energy because they are playing Duke (mostly the lower tier of Division 1 teams), and Duke plays without fouling during the storm and grinds the team down.

Now that is not always but it is a factor IMO.
 
I think part of it is playing Maluach, which let me be clear, we need Maluach to be a title contender. However, he currently has no low post game and teams don't guard him past the foul line. It results in the lane being totally clogged and we then are forced to settle for 3 pointers.

Defensively we are fine and it's too small of a sample size to say our defense is a problem the first few minutes of these games, just have been a bit unlucky.
I don't know if Jon is to blame for this or if we can point to starting 3 freshman as the cause for this, but this can't keep happening. Once the game gets into a flow, we are always the better team.
I’m having a hard time understanding how anyone can say he has no low post game when Duke plays five out . When he catches a lob ( very rarely thrown to him) he’s hit all except I think for one . If you look when he rebounds on offense he’s looking to lock out to open shooters . Teams know this and will exploit it . Proctor and Foster and Akon for that matter starting to drive more has opened up for easier three point shots . But if your just gonna jack up three’s and miss the easiest defensive plan would be to clog the lane to stop drives or slack off perimeter shooters until they hit shots . If Duke comes out and hits their three’s out the gate teams would have to be more spread on defense . I think one fix to the slow starts is for Duke to look in side or drive before starting to jack up three’s . When Duke started attacking last night instead of settling for three’s the offense opened up because Louisville couldn’t recover to shooters in time from trying to stop penetration.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bullcity gamer
I’m having a hard time understanding how anyone can say he has no low post game when Duke plays five out . When he catches a lob ( very rarely thrown to him) he’s hit all except I think for one . If you look when he rebounds on offense he’s looking to lock out to open shooters . Teams know this and will exploit it . Proctor and Foster and Akon for that matter starting to drive more has opened up for easier three point shots . But if your just gonna jack up three’s and miss the easiest defensive plan would be to clog the lane to stop drives or slack off perimeter shooters until they hit shots . If Duke comes out and hits their three’s out the gate teams would have to be more spread on defense . I think one fix to the slow starts is for Duke to look in side or drive before starting to jack up three’s . When Duke started attacking last night instead of settling for three’s the offense opened up because Louisville couldn’t recover to shooters in time from trying to stop penetration.
I believe he has no low post game (currently) because we have yet to run a post up for him all season.
IMO him catching lobs is a product of us playing 5 out because it opens up the lane for him to come soaring in for a dunk.
 
Last edited:
Its not a problem as long as we win. But just based on the eye test it seems teams come out more fired up. But it is a marathon not a sprint.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bullcity gamer
Teams are coming out like rabid dogs when they see a Duke jersey on the floor this year and are scorching the Devils from 3 and trying to play super physical. I’m sure the Flagg hype is a big component in their minds and who likes the Duke shot selection during these slow starts? (Their opponents for sure) With the game yesterday, you just had a feeling that eventually Louisville would finally run out of steam as they simply don’t have enough players and no one is going to keep shooting like that but that can’t be the strategy.

The Duke coaching staff needs to put these guys in the best possible position for them to be successful and it just feels like something’s off.
 
I believe he has no low post game (currently) because we have yet to run a post up for him all season.
IMO him catching lobs is a product of us playing 5 out because it opens up the lane for him to come soaring in for a dunk.
But he’s only caught like five or rather been thrown five or six . And we wouldn’t know if he does or doesn’t . Duke has not attempted to throw it in the post unless Flagg is there . We don’t even throw it into Brown down low . Last lob thrown was from Foster. I don’t believe Duke has anybody that can make the entry pass. Every lob he’s caught has been when he’s already around the basket .
 
But he’s only caught like five or rather been thrown five or six . And we wouldn’t know if he does or doesn’t . Duke has not attempted to throw it in the post unless Flagg is there . We don’t even throw it into Brown down low . Last lob thrown was from Foster. I don’t believe Duke has anybody that can make the entry pass. Every lob he’s caught has been when he’s already around the basket .
Agree. We have very little low post game. If we would utilize it a little, the opportunities open up for our shooters too.
I know Maluach is raw, but it’s hard to not think lob attempts are there for him if we’d look to do that a little more.
 
Agree. We have very little low post game. If we would utilize it a little, the opportunities open up for our shooters too.
I know Maluach is raw, but it’s hard to not think lob attempts are there for him if we’d look to do that a little more.
Yes I don’t think anyone is saying twenty a game but give him a little more and Duke also needs to drive more and give him and Brown chances for put backs . I doubt we see alot of Flagg or Brown tomorrow night so it would be a good time .
 
It's one thing for the opposing team to be psyched up, but that doesn't explain making 80% of their 3rd pointers. If anything you'd think they would shoot poorly because the other team is so stoked.
 
Not a fan of the offensive slow starts either. Hopefully the offensive slow starts are a thing in the past by February.

The great news is Elite Defense can always travel and Duke has Elite Defense.
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT