Duke Crews

[therickbol]

I'm probably Duke's biggest critic, but I think he will get a lot better with time. Before ever seeing him play, I envisioned him having more quickness, better ball skills, and a decent jumper.

But Duke's really not that type of player. He's more of a PF trapped in a SF's body. I would love to see him model his game after Ron Slay or Charles Barkley. He needs to get stronger, develop better post up moves with his back to the basket, get more crafty with ball fakes to create open shot/pass opportunities, and work on his positioning for rebounds (which often lead to easy put-backs). I don't think he'll ever develop Slay's long-range shot, but Duke has a nice shot. It's not like his jump shot resembles Shaq's or anything. I could see him knocking down 10-12 footers with regularity if the PFs guarding him give him space.

I think it will come for him in the next few years. It's just tough watching him now, because you see the potential -- the execution just isn't there yet. He will be very solid in his Jr./Sr. seasons.

Excellent assesment. Right now, against the level of SEC talent he is facing, he is not prepared. He has very little touch around the basket. His back to the basket moves are still developing. He is not knocking down mid-range jumpers. So, at this point all he is getting are dump offs for dunks and offensive putbacks. The good thing is that the athletically ability that he has cannot be taught. The post moves and mid-range jumpers can develop. I do not know if he will ever develop good touch around the basket.

 

[DowntownVol]

I'm probably Duke's biggest critic, but I think he will get a lot better with time. Before ever seeing him play, I envisioned him having more quickness, better ball skills, and a decent jumper.

But Duke's really not that type of player. He's more of a PF trapped in a SF's body. I would love to see him model his game after Ron Slay or Charles Barkley. He needs to get stronger, develop better post up moves with his back to the basket, get more crafty with ball fakes to create open shot/pass opportunities, and work on his positioning for rebounds (which often lead to easy put-backs). I don't think he'll ever develop Slay's long-range shot, but Duke has a nice shot. It's not like his jump shot resembles Shaq's or anything. I could see him knocking down 10-12 footers with regularity if the PFs guarding him give him space.

I think it will come for him in the next few years. It's just tough watching him now, because you see the potential -- the execution just isn't there yet. He will be very solid in his Jr./Sr. seasons.

That, sir, is dead on the money.

Sadly, Crews is going to have to continue to play PF at least through the end of next year, barring some sort of unexpected signing of a true center out of high school who can start immediately.

 

[jessiej86]

This might not be the place, but while we're on the Freshman subject: I have been impressed with the improvement of Ramar Smith. He seems like a totally different player than he was earlier in the year. Pearl has done a good job with him, he has caught up with the speed of the game, or both.