Duane in crunch time

[mu03eng]

Stewed on this a little bit today, and finally decided to start a thread on it. 

Hypothesis: Duane in crunch time is still a bit of a mess and he got really lucky with last nights win.

Question: Is this an area of concern or do we assume that most times Duane won't be the critical scorer at the end of a tight game?

Duane has had some well recorded bone headed late game plays (ASU, LSU, IUPUI) but they have been largely forgotten especially given the game winning bucket last night. However, that bucket was a fluke (IMO) and the better play was a pass to the wing in Haanif. Additionally, the previous play or two he had an out of control drive in the lane that led to a turnover and what should have be a close out for PC.

Am I crazy or just unusually pessimistic after a likely season turning win?

[BM1090]

Stewed on this a little bit today, and finally decided to start a thread on it. 

Hypothesis: Duane in crunch time is still a bit of a mess and he got really lucky with last nights win.

Question: Is this an area of concern or do we assume that most times Duane won't be the critical scorer at the end of a tight game?

Duane has had some well recorded bone headed late game plays (ASU, LSU, IUPUI) but they have been largely forgotten especially given the game winning bucket last night. However, that bucket was a fluke (IMO) and the better play was a pass to the wing in Haanif. Additionally, the previous play or two he had an out of control drive in the lane that led to a turnover and what should have be a close out for PC.

Am I crazy or just unusually pessimistic after a likely season turning win?

He also had a very tough finish against Georgetown to keep us in the game with about 2 minutes left. And a great move/finish in OT vs. ASU.

He has a ways to go but he's made some positive plays in crunch time in addition to the obvious negatives.

[Stretchdeltsig]

I think we are fortunate this year that all five players on the court can score.

[Goose]

He wants the ball in his hands at crunch time that is a gift. I will take a guy who wants the ball and not afraid to make a play any day of the week. Last year Carlino wanted it and prior to that Vander did. Most guys run from the ball.

[MerrittsMustache]

Duane has had some well recorded bone headed late game plays (ASU, LSU, IUPUI) but they have been largely forgotten especially given the game winning bucket last night. However, that bucket was a fluke (IMO) and the better play was a pass to the wing in Haanif. Additionally, the previous play or two he had an out of control drive in the lane that led to a turnover and what should have be a close out for PC.

The best play was the play that won the game. Duane made it.

[brewcity77]

The best play was the play that won the game. Duane made it.

That feels like a cop out answer. Like launching a 28 foot contested three would be the best play if it goes in even of you're down by one with your best scorer wide open under the hoop.

[LAMUfan]

He reminds me a little bit of a young Jerel McNeal, a little reckless, doing WTF things at times, but he turned out OK 

[mu03eng]

The best play was the play that won the game. Duane made it.

That's the ends justifying the means. It's a great result but I wouldn't say it's a great play

[CAGASS24]

my take is he is a guy that performs best when he doesn't have to "think about it" - by definition that kind of means he will do some very boneheaded things because he will not be fully cognizant of time/score/momentum/personnel/scheme etc - but will also lead to him performing great acts in the face of overwhelming odds based on the same 'ignorance' - its what I like to call faux clutch - or the difference between being brave and courageous - its just like Vander IMO - and, again IMHO, speaks to just a bit of a lack of BBall IQ that cant be learned at this point - he's a baller that will go up against anything -

you live and you die by it because he's a captain and maybe HE or Cheetham right now are the only other late game options

[mu03eng]

Maybe approach this another way, where would all of our scorers ranking in terms of who you want with the ball with a shot to win the game?

For me:
1. Henry
2. Luke
3. Haanif
4. Duane
5. JjJ
6. Sandy
7. Traci

[KampusFoods]

Maybe approach this another way, where would all of our scorers ranking in terms of who you want with the ball with a shot to win the game?

For me:
1. Henry
2. Luke
3. Haanif
4. Duane
5. JjJ
6. Sandy
7. Traci

Henry
Duane
Haanif
Sandy
JJ
Luke
Traci

Luke's recent string of missing no-footers puts him low on my list. Toyed with putting him at 7.

[forgetful]

Maybe approach this another way, where would all of our scorers ranking in terms of who you want with the ball with a shot to win the game?

For me:
1. Henry
2. Luke
3. Haanif
4. Duane
5. JjJ
6. Sandy
7. Traci

For me:
1.  Henry
2.  Duane (he's scrappy)
3.  Haanif (really really close between him and Duane)
4.  JJJ
5.  Sandy
6.  Traci (he's likely to find the right guy)
7.  Luke (he travels too much and struggles to finish against bigs.  He may get the final big bucket, but it will be delivered from Henry, Duane, Haanif, JJJ, Sandy or Traci).

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

1.  Henry
2.  Duane
3.  Haanif

Everything else is a broken play and relatively equal

[MerrittsMustache]

That feels like a cop out answer. Like launching a 28 foot contested three would be the best play if it goes in even of you're down by one with your best scorer wide open under the hoop.

Yes, a play that wins the game is the best play, regardless of whether a "better" play could have been made.

That's the ends justifying the means. It's a great result but I wouldn't say it's a great play

I never said it was a great play. I said it was the right play because it won the game. What play would have been "more right" than one that wins the game?

[MerrittsMustache]

Maybe approach this another way, where would all of our scorers ranking in terms of who you want with the ball with a shot to win the game?

Whoever is going to make it 

[keefe]

He wants the ball in his hands at crunch time that is a gift. I will take a guy who wants the ball and not afraid to make a play any day of the week. Last year Carlino wanted it and prior to that Vander did. Most guys run from the ball.

Spot on, Joe. Leadership is a rare commodity.

[g0lden3agle]

Yes, a play that wins the game is the best play, regardless of whether a "better" play could have been made.

I never said it was a great play. I said it was the right play because it won the game. What play would have been "more right" than one that wins the game?

Evaluating any game time decision based on the outcome rather than the other options that were available at the time is pretty short sighted.  The "best" play in any situation is the one that yields the highest opportunity to score, regardless of the outcome of the decision that was made.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Maybe approach this another way, where would all of our scorers ranking in terms of who you want with the ball with a shot to win the game?

For me:
1. Henry
2. Luke
3. Haanif
4. Duane
5. JjJ
6. Sandy
7. Traci

1. JJJ
2. DW
3. HC
4. HE
5. SC
6. LF
7. TC

I dont believe in giving it to a big for the last shot unless they are right next to the hoop unguarded. JJJ and DW get nod over HC because of experience.

[KampusFoods]

1. JJJ
2. DW
3. HC
4. HE
5. SC
6. LF
7. TC

I dont believe in giving it to a big for the last shot unless they are right next to the hoop unguarded. JJJ and DW get nod over HC because of experience.

Henry got the nod for me because 1) he's our best player and 2) he can pretty much always get a shot off and not get blocked. Honestly, I'm totally cool with a Henry mid-range J with a hand in his face. I also think our guards miss the rim on way too many layups.

[MerrittsMustache]

Evaluating any game time decision based on the outcome rather than the other options that were available at the time is pretty short sighted.  The "best" play in any situation is the one that yields the highest opportunity to score, regardless of the outcome of the decision that was made.

So, a better play would have been Duane kicking it to an open man and having the ball go through that guy's hands out of bounds?

[CTWarrior]

Evaluating any game time decision based on the outcome rather than the other options that were available at the time is pretty short sighted.  The "best" play in any situation is the one that yields the highest opportunity to score, regardless of the outcome of the decision that was made.

A lay-up is a pretty good opportunity to score, and with the defense moving to challenge penetration it opens up the possibility of an offensive rebound.  I thought his final play was fine.

[rocky_warrior]

Surprised by lots having Henry 1st.  JayBee teaches us one thing, eFG% rules, so going with that order...

1. Haanif
2. Luke
3. Sandy
4. Duane
5. Jajuan
6. Henry
7. Wally
8. Traci

[barfolomew]

Surprised by lots having Henry 1st.  JayBee teaches us one thing, eFG% rules, so going with that order...

1. Haanif
2. Luke
3. Sandy
4. Duane
5. Jajuan
6. Henry
7. Wally
8. Traci

Despite what some say, not all made baskets during a game are equal.
Pressure to perform plus referee tendencies to swallow whistles at game ends would lead me to have it in the hands of the best guard who is a leader and scorer. That would be Duane right now, but could be Haanif soon.

[MU B2002]

This is why we can't have nice things.

[dgies9156]

Lucky, Duane was hardly lucky. I watched the play several times this morning and here's some of the things I saw:

1) Duane probably fouled 32 on Providence. The arm and elbow were extended to protect Duane against penetration. As Duane turned the corner, 32 was trying to draw the foul and went up and arched backward drawing attention to himself for the referees benefit.

2) Number 3 was faked out of his jockeys and failed to see what was happening, giving Duane an opening.

3) Duane released late on his shot -- should have been released at the top of his arc. He was probably a half second late.

4) His quickness really paid and thank God we have someone who wants to drive the basket!