The Unheralded

[bleediteveryday30]

Who would be your starting five of Duke guys who you don't think get enough respect outside of our fanbase? Or even within our fanbase.

PG: Chris Collins
SG: Jon Scheyer
SF: Chris Carrawell
PF: Mark Alarie
C: Alaa Abdelnaby

I picked this five because I don't hear enough people talk about what they all mean individually to this program. Collins and Scheyer both carried the load in different ways. Chris had to come in after one of the most successful tandems in College Basketball had truly ended or was coming to an end in his sophomore season. I know there are some shots he'd love to have back from the '94 title game. I saw the kind of fearless competitor he was throughout that whole season. His play in the '96 season saved our program. SAVED IT. Some of the younger fans don't truly know how lucky we are to have had a guy like that literally save our program in the time he was there.

Scheyer was a part of one the most scrutinized groups of Duke freshmen in history. the lack of success they had coming into his senior year was something they were all tired of hearing and we had just watched Carolina win their second title in 5 years. When K switched him to the point in the later part of '09 it was a genius move that is one of the main reasons that led to a national championship the next season in 2010. Which is till my favorite Duke title team. Certainly not the best, but I loved watching that team play.

Carrawell was one of the three guys, along with Battier & James, who showed up after the '99 loss, K's hip surgery, and the mass exodus promising to dedicate himself to K and Duke. The 2000 could've been a tough one without those three. Carrawell is usually forgotten because he graduated and wasn't a part of the '01 title team. But his senior season and leadership laid out a foundation for our guys returning in '01. Broke my freaking heart watching him lose to Florida in the sweet sixteen.

Alarie and Alaa are often afterthoughts. I mean, Mark played with Johnny and Tommy. Two of our best players. But he was a part of that same first big class that Dawkins and Bilas were a part of. And his stroke has largely been forgotten throughout the years. I loved watching him play on the defensive end of the floor as well. The dude was a warrior. And Alaa is the center everyone ignores. I hated hearing how Duke never develops good big men. Thankfully that has went away now. Does anyone not remember Alaa? This mofo was a damn machine down low. Blocking shots, fighting for loose balls and rebounds, and powering his way to the hole. Just feel like both of these are rarely mentioned and I loved their commitment to the defensive end of the floor.

All of these fellas had no quit and a love for the four letters on the front of the jersey like many others who have played before them and after. I guess I just don't see enough about how much they were important to our sustainable success. I mean, the entire 2010 team that played deserves a spot here really. Z and Thomas are everything you would want out of senior role players who turned into starters. Plus, 82-50

Anyway, sorry for the long rambling post. Go Duke.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

Those are all great choices. I think putting Chris Collins on the list is a bit of a stretch, but it’s understandable. He was probably K’s first true 3pt marksman, but man he was so dang inconsistent. He was god-awful in the tourney Grant’s senior year. I believe that was Collins’ soph season.... Scheyer would be in my starting 5 but since you already chose him, I’m going to pick 5 different players.

PG: Seth Curry — If he was surrounded by more talent, I think he’d be a more decorated guy. I can’t blame K for keeping senior and champion Nolan in the game vs Arizona in ‘11 but man he sucked that game. Kyrie and Kyle needed help and I wish Curry would of gotten a fair chance.

SG: Trajan Langdon — Lights out shooter. I’m not going to say he could shoot better than JJ, but I think it’s debatable. Redick passed him because he shot the ball more, let’s just leave it at that.

SF: Thomas Hill — He was our glue in the early 90s and I bet half of the people on this board have no idea who he is. Completely overshadowed by Hurley, Laett, G Hill, etc. Didn't have the star-power in him, but his effort is unmatched. Excellent defender, incredible role player.

PF: Amile Jefferson — I think he’s the best player we’ve “quietly” ever had. His value to Duke can be easily noted by looking at the 15-16 year when he was hurt. You’d never think he meant as much as he actually did. His defense played into our ‘15 national title and it’s almost like I can’t even remember him being on the floor.

C: Cherokee Parks — I like the hustling, hard workers. He’s the epitome of that. He was a big part of our ‘94 run to the final with Grant Hill. It’s just a shame his senior year was that ‘95 season we all want to forget about.

 

[bleediteveryday30]

Those are all great choices. I think putting Chris Collins on the list is a bit of a stretch, but it’s understandable. He was probably K’s first true 3pt marksman, but man he was so dang inconsistent. He was god-awful in the tourney Grant’s senior year. I believe that was Collins’ soph season.... Scheyer would be in my starting 5 but since you already chose him, I’m going to pick 5 different players.

PG: Seth Curry — If he was surrounded by more talent, I think he’d be a more decorated guy. I can’t blame K for keeping senior and champion Nolan in the game vs Arizona in ‘11 but man he sucked that game. Kyrie and Kyle needed help and I wish Curry would of gotten a fair chance.

SG: Trajan Langdon — Lights out shooter. I’m not going to say he could shoot better than JJ, but I think it’s debatable. Redick passed him because he shot the ball more, let’s just leave it at that.

SF: Thomas Hill — He was our glue in the early 90s and I bet half of the people on this board have no idea who he is. Completely overshadowed by Hurley, Laett, G Hill, etc. Didn't have the star-power in him, but his effort is unmatched. Excellent defender, incredible role player.

PF: Amile Jefferson — I think he’s the best player we’ve “quietly” ever had. His value to Duke can be easily noted by looking at the 15-16 year when he was hurt. You’d never think he meant as much as he actually did. His defense played into our ‘15 national title and it’s almost like I can’t even remember him being on the floor.

C: Cherokee Parks — I like the hustling, hard workers. He’s the epitome of that. He was a big part of our ‘94 run to the final with Grant Hill. It’s just a shame his senior year was that ‘95 season we all want to forget about.

Thanks for the heads up. Getting old, haha I remember reading in The Legends Club by John Feinstein, that K said Collins hit a shot as big as Bobby's in the UNLV game in one of our earlier regular season games in '96. I think we started 0-4 in ACC play and were playing State. Honestly, I don't remember the game all that well. Anyway, the game came down to him hitting a shot for the win that everyone in the building knew he was going to take. He hit it. We won. And it kind of saved the season. Even though we finished 18-13 it laid the groundwork for the future. K said without that shot and win he doesn't know what happens the next few years. Also, good list. Jefferson is one of my all time favorite Duke players. Without him we don't cut the nets down in '15.

 

[christophero]

Scheyer. Senior year he was so steady. Almost never turned the ball over and could get his shot. Carrawell was one of my favorites as well. Had a big time rep in high school(first team on Street and Smith if memory serves), got injured and then had to become more of a perimeter player.

 

[dopeshop23]

Love this topic.
PG: Tommy A.
SG: Vince Taylor
SF: Kenny Denard
PF: Mark Alarie
C: Sheldon Williams
This would be a nightmare line up for a typical front line to have to match up against. Two skilled athletic 6-8 guys who can pull your big away from the bucket and abuse them at 17 feet, and leave Williams under the basket to clean up misses...please...would be fun to watch! And Vince Taylor with a 3 point line, Yes!

 

[hart2chesson]

Thanks for the heads up. Getting old, haha I remember reading in The Legends Club by John Feinstein, that K said Collins hit a shot as big as Bobby's in the UNLV game in one of our earlier regular season games in '96. I think we started 0-4 in ACC play and were playing State. Honestly, I don't remember the game all that well. Anyway, the game came down to him hitting a shot for the win that everyone in the building knew he was going to take. He hit it. We won. And it kind of saved the season. Even though we finished 18-13 it laid the groundwork for the future. K said without that shot and win he doesn't know what happens the next few years.

Never, EVER forget that shot from outside the 3 pt arc just in front of the Duke bench.It bounded up high, hit all sorts of the sides of the rim and somehow dropped thru! State BARELY missed a runner at the buzzer that would have won it after Collins improbable trey. Collins shot was from almost the hashmark!

Because of THAT WIN, our season was saved, and I have no doubt it propelled us into the Big Dance! K was right! Two years in a row not making the tourney could have really sent the program reeling and wayward for a while...

OFC

 

[skysdad]

I agree with all that have been mentioned.Way too hard to pick 5.OFC

 

[BNM79]

Those are all great choices. I think putting Chris Collins on the list is a bit of a stretch, but it’s understandable. He was probably K’s first true 3pt marksman, but man he was so dang inconsistent. He was god-awful in the tourney Grant’s senior year. I believe that was Collins’ soph season.... Scheyer would be in my starting 5 but since you already chose him, I’m going to pick 5 different players.

PG: Seth Curry — If he was surrounded by more talent, I think he’d be a more decorated guy. I can’t blame K for keeping senior and champion Nolan in the game vs Arizona in ‘11 but man he sucked that game. Kyrie and Kyle needed help and I wish Curry would of gotten a fair chance.

SG: Trajan Langdon — Lights out shooter. I’m not going to say he could shoot better than JJ, but I think it’s debatable. Redick passed him because he shot the ball more, let’s just leave it at that.

SF: Thomas Hill — He was our glue in the early 90s and I bet half of the people on this board have no idea who he is. Completely overshadowed by Hurley, Laett, G Hill, etc. Didn't have the star-power in him, but his effort is unmatched. Excellent defender, incredible role player.

PF: Amile Jefferson — I think he’s the best player we’ve “quietly” ever had. His value to Duke can be easily noted by looking at the 15-16 year when he was hurt. You’d never think he meant as much as he actually did. His defense played into our ‘15 national title and it’s almost like I can’t even remember him being on the floor.

C: Cherokee Parks — I like the hustling, hard workers. He’s the epitome of that. He was a big part of our ‘94 run to the final with Grant Hill. It’s just a shame his senior year was that ‘95 season we all want to forget about.

Regarding curry against az in 2011. I think he got hurt in the first half. It forced k to play Irving more minutes that game than I think he was planning and as awesome as kyrie was offensively that game. His defense really hurt duke (some of this could have been conditioning since hurt)

 

[bleediteveryday30]

Never, EVER forget that shot from outside the 3 pt arc just in front of the Duke bench.It bounded up high, hit all sorts of the sides of the rim and somehow dropped thru! State BARELY missed a runner at the buzzer that would have won it after Collins improbable trey. Collins shot was from almost the hashmark!

Because of THAT WIN, our season was saved, and I have no doubt it propelled us into the Big Dance! K was right! Two years in a row not making the tourney could have really sent the program reeling and wayward for a while...

OFC

You're memory is better than mine! If you haven't read, The Legends Club, pick it up. One of my all time favorite sports books. Feinstein is a helluva writer. That said, a box of tissues will be needed because there's some tough moments in the book.

 

[hart2chesson]

Thanks bleed- may pick it up! No question per your reference it was a pivotal moment in Duke mens hoops history. You're right about Feinstein.

Despite all the talk about K and El Deano getting close at the end, there was no love lost on court. I remember in one of Feinstein's books after a testy exchange w/Dean and Lenny Wirtz at Chapel Hill, K returned to the Duke bench. He told his staff "if I ever start acting like him (Dean), shoot me."

All that bs respect garbage we hear amongst Duke and UNC coaches is just that, BS!

OFC

 

[Quavarius]

Thanks bleed- may pick it up! No question per your reference it was a pivotal moment in Duke mens hoops history. You're right about Feinstein.

Despite all the talk about K and El Deano getting close at the end, there was no love lost on court. I remember in one of Feinstein's books after a testy exchange w/Dean and Lenny Wirtz at Chapel Hill, K returned to the Duke bench. He told his staff if I ever start acting like him (Dean), shoot me."

All that bs respect garbage we hear amongst Duke and UNC coaches is just that, BS!

OFC

Bahahahahaha!

 

[hart2chesson]

Bahahahahaha!

Lol, Q its really true- didnt blame K one bit as a LONGTIME ACC follower. Dean practically ran the conference,...OFC

 

[Quavarius]

Lol, Q its really true- didnt blame K one bit as a LONGTIME ACC follower. Dean practically ran the conference,...OFC

That’s why I was laughing at K’s comment.