Duane Wilson

[MUfan12]

He'll be on the court (see the other thread...), but I would be shocked if he was taking Derrick's minutes with all the time he has missed.

Even if he was 100% healthy and practicing this whole time, he wouldn't be taking Derrick's minutes. He might spell him a bit instead of Jamil, but Duane isn't a pure point. His time would have, and will come, off the ball.

Like I said above, he'll get a chance simply because he can make shots.

[Otule's Glass Eye]

They are probably looking for stats.

As for me, I'd like to see him be more assertive on offense, i.e. look for his shot more.  It seems to me that opposing defenses play him to pass the ball and are almost always right.

This. I think Juan can be a solid offensive player, he just needs to be more aggressive. I've seen many instances where he has hesitated on taking shots we all (or at least some of us) know he can make.

[wadesworld]

Even if he was 100% healthy and practicing this whole time, he wouldn't be taking Derrick's minutes. He might spell him a bit instead of Jamil, but Duane isn't a pure point. His time would have, and will come, off the ball.

Like I said above, he'll get a chance simply because he can make shots.

I'm not sure about that. While I agree with you that he isn't a "pure" point guard, he is not someone that needs to play off the ball. He is a playmaker and can score the ball, but he can also create shots for others (very important for a point guard and the most concerning part of Derrick's game to me). Derrick and Duane were guarding each other at Madness. I assume Derrick was slated as the starting point guard going into the season and Duane was slated as his backup. Had Duane impressed, he could've taken some of Derrick's minutes.

[Freeport Warrior]

I think people need to lower their expectations on Duane.  Let's not forget that JJJ was doing everything Duane was in high school against higher level talent (the highest division in Memphis compared to D3 WIAA).  JJJ clearly has his moments where we see what he is capable of, but he's a freshman and just isn't ready to give us that every night.  Add to that the fact that Duane as practiced twice this year while everyone else is 2 months in and he has a lot of making up to do.  He'll be on the court (see the other thread...), but I would be shocked if he was taking Derrick's minutes with all the time he has missed.

While I agree with most you note here about expectations, school ball and what divisions you play against/in has little to do with anything anymore. Duane played AAU spring/summer schedules against the best competition out there, just like JJJ. AAU is where you make your name and develop. High school teams get 25 games a year in a 3 month season versus AAU 50+ games over 5/6 months. Dekker played Div 5 against nobodies for 4 years; it's irrelevant. Either you're ready, or you're not. I'm hoping Duane works himself into shape and it ready to go by February.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Are you serious?  Our guard play is awful.  If it isn't upgraded soon we can kiss the season good bye.

[bilsu]

The poll question was not about expectations for Duane. I was trying to gauge, who people would have him replace. I did not expect many people to pick Juan, but I included him because Buzz likes to play a three guard offense. The decision would most likely be based on whether you want two three point threats on the floor with Thomas and Duane or do you want two ballhandlers on the floor with Derrick and Duane?