It’s official now, Duke gets John Wall, or they can kiss any title run goodbye next season. Yes, he’s that important.
Today, point guard Eric Bledsoe, picked the Kentucky Wildcats, leaving John Wall the last solid point guard still uncommitted. A while back, we talked about whether the Duke coaching staff was making a mistake going after one-and-done Wall over Bledsoe (assuming he could qualify). Sure Wall is a lot better and can step right in and make an impact, but Bledsoe ain’t half bad either.
The 6-1 point guard from Alabama is a pass-first guard, who knows how to get into the lane (something Duke clearly needs now). He nearly averaged a triple-double in high school; 20.3 points, 11.5 assists and 9.4 rebounds per game. Whether he could have led Duke to a championship this season is surely questionable, but it would be hard to argue against the fact that he would have been the best point man from day one.
This leaves John Wall. Obviously, there are concerns about his recent run-in with the law, but trust me, it’s not a big deal. It appears he and some friends entered a vacant house, looking for a place to hang out with some ladies.
While I think Bledsoe to Kentucky helps the Blue Devils in the John Wall recruiting saga, my personal opinion has always been that wherever Calipari landed, that’s where Wall would end up…and that hasn’t changed.
Sadly, I can see Calipari convincing Bledsoe that a year on the bench, behind Wall, would be good, allowing him to take over the point guard duties in 2010 after Wall leaves for the NBA. I can see Coach Cal convincing Wall of this scenario as well. I hope I’m wrong. I really do, but after seeing Duke get burned by top-notch talent the last few years, I’m not confident the coaching staff can close the deal.
Having said that, I still believe that it would be a smart thing for John Wall to come to Duke. First, he’ll start from day one for a veteran team and he’ll get to compete for the title now. Second, he’ll be on television nearly every game. Third, there is no better uniform to wear to improve his slightly battered image.
Let’s hope and let’s pray, because if Henderson decides the NBA is the right way (That’s where I’d put my money), Duke will have no TRUE point guards next season, and only three guards total (Scheyer, Smith and Williams).
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First: If he goes to UK he’ll start from day one on a veteran team that also has a few young studs and he’ll compete for the title now.
Comment by B-ryan May 6, 2009 @ 3:24 pmSecond, he’ll be on television nearly every game, national that is, he’ll have 24k at Rupp plus at least 1mill watching the preseason games on the BBN. Third, there is no better uniform, period.
Go to Duke Wall and you will be forgotten because Duke hasn’t been that down. Go to UK, and take them to a FF, you will be a legend forever. I’m sure the Lex PD will even help find you a vacant house to chat w/ the ladies.
Dear Duke Grad,
Since I’m impressed that you didn’t mention academics in your story (e.g., Bledsoe couldn’t get into Duke anyway), I really hate to point out your faux paux but what the hell. “[T]here is no better uniform to were [sic] improve his slightly battered image.” Despite the misuse of the term were, is Duke’s brand really that squeaky clean that somehow putting on the jersey would magically make people believe that Wall couldn’t have gotten into trouble. It must be the intolerance for wrongdoing by the administration that makes you suggest such drivel (e.g., when the DUKE Lacrosse team was tossed aside based on allegations of wrongdoing). Perhaps, the team didn’t actually rape anyone in which case the administration was wrong and your theory still holds water. But what about the fact that a DUKE team was hosting keg parties and paying strippers to come entertain them? All that is missing is a foreclosed house and Wall’s image would be completed secured! You might want to step outside of your glass house before throwing stones at every other NCAA institution. I’m certain Vanderbilt and Northwestern would like to argue their ability to cleanse Mr. Wall’s rep as well.
Comment by John Wall May 6, 2009 @ 3:37 pmDo I really have to respond to this from Kentucky fans?
Yes, putting on a Duke uniform helps Wall’s image. Do I really need to argue this point? Does hate really make you blind too?
In reality though, Wall’s imagine isn’t all that bad. He was hanging out in an empty house. I’ve committed worse crimes this week alone than that. Hell, Sheldon Williams was involved in a rape investigation when he was in high school. You don’t think his time as Duke helped his image?
Anyhow, this is not a knock on Kentucky. If anything, it’s a knock on Calipari. He’s a good coach and a great recruiter, but he’s not known for keeping his player’s noses clean (just go back and check out the Memphis’ rap sheet). The rewards he can bring to your school could be great (despite the fact he’s never won a title), but there are risks. If I was a Wildcats fan, I’d be extremely happy and I would have no problem with the risk/reward factor.
I just got two words for you all…Christian Laettner.
Comment by robioland May 6, 2009 @ 3:52 pmWow! How did I see the Laettner shot coming? Funny how you remember that. I seem to remember 1998….Ring a bell? Hey wasn’t Duke up by 18 in that game? Remember Wojo? I got some words for you too!…….Padgett, Mills and Turner.
Comment by Jake May 6, 2009 @ 4:40 pmrobioland,
Maybe I am blind…
“Yes, putting on a Duke uniform helps Wall’s image. Do I really need to argue this point? Does hate really make you blind too?”
I would love it if you would ‘argue this point.’
Comment by Ray Charles May 6, 2009 @ 4:34 pmNope. What is this 1998 you speak of? Never heard of it.
I got three letters for you…N.I.T. Home of Kentucky basketball since…well, a long time.
Comment by robioland May 6, 2009 @ 5:02 pmOne name and one number for you.
Jack Givens
Comment by UK Wildcat May 6, 2009 @ 5:37 pm41
Nice, the man pulls out a ’78 reference. That one will be tough to beat.
Come on, Kentucky fans, why all the sweat? You should be excited. Two months ago, you looked like you would be competing for another N.I.T. trip. Now you’re a top-five team.
Comment by robioland May 6, 2009 @ 5:41 pmAnd we want Wall. Someone already pointed out that the reasons Wall should go to Duke are equally valid if you list them as reasons Wall should go to Kentucky. You could have left your first comment alone, but you added a Laettner reference to turn this into a pissing contest.
Comment by UK Wildcat May 6, 2009 @ 6:06 pmA pissing contest? That’s how you solve all issues in Kentucky, right?
Okay, that was wrong. Sorry.
Comment by robioland May 6, 2009 @ 6:08 pmrobioland u are amazing kentucky fans are just wetting their pants at a thought of an ncaa appearence i cant remember the last time we werent in the tourney if duke gets him he could drive and kick outside all day but if he goes to kentucky he will be a failure with a team of ballhogs[see demarcus cousins] and how does he have a good season when hes driving into a lane filled with bigs [cousins,orton,patterson] and if he comes to duke the lane will be open cause we dont have a bigtime post im not biased just think about it
Comment by dukeownskentuckyanyday May 6, 2009 @ 6:25 pmPeriod anyone? I’m not biased – just think about it.
Comment by jbt36 May 7, 2009 @ 2:04 pmI honestly can’t picture a scenario where Wall goes to Kentucky especially after the signing of Bledsoe. When was the last time two top pgs from the same class signed with the same school? I can’t remember a case when that’s happened. Plus he’s only going to be in school for a year and I don’t think he likes Lexington, KY as much as he liked Memphis, TN when Cal was the coach there.
Comment by Ace May 6, 2009 @ 6:31 pmAs you might have heard Bomani Jones state, there are two consistent truths about John Wall. The school he has always wanted to play for, and the coach he has always wanted to play for. North Carolina is that school, and John Calipari is that coach. Considering UNC isn’t recruiting him, it seems like a no-brainer.
Comment by UK Wildcat May 6, 2009 @ 6:41 pmFirst of all, I thought Meeks and Patterson were going to the NBA, that is the only part of this Kentucky team that was worth their weight last year. He will have a few young recruits and that is all beside him in Kentucky.
Second, Kentucky didn’t get on TV much at all this year. I watched every Duke game on National TV.
You also mention a past reference that is so far back, who is the winningest team of the decade? Who actually won their Conference tourney and has most of their foundation plus a couple of good recruits (Plumlee is a solid big and Kelly is another outside shooter to come off of the bench for this year). I have a feeling Henderson would come back if John joins Duke meaning this is a solid Final 4 team. He isn’t ready for the NBA yet since he only drives one way and faded in his biggest moment (although he could do well in the draft). Imagine how big it would be for Wall if he could manage to be the star of a team that already has a great prospect like Henderson on it. Kentucky couldn’t even win the NIT with two pro prospects this year (Patterson and Meeks are both gone).
Finally, you say if he wins it HE will be a legend, but that isn’t the case, John Calipari will be the legend in Kentucky if that happens. John Wall will just be one of the bevy of players that was on his first team.
Comment by gabriel May 6, 2009 @ 6:34 pmBledsoe has stated that Patterson told him that he and Meeks were coming back, and when Meeks was talking at an award’s show at UK, he said that he would probably be back.
Yes, Kentucky was on CBS or ESPN almost every game, more often CBS, which reaches a bigger audience. You obviously don’t know what “National TV” is, because no school is on National TV for every single game.
Kentucky is a team that gets its foundation back, we only graduated 1 senior, who provided no contribution last season. You seem to think that Duke will return Henderson if Wall comes. That doesn’t make sense at all. Why would Henderson come back if he would be playing behind Wall, who you have stated would be the star of the team.
I find it funny that you think you are in-tune with who becomes a legend at UK. If Wall is the starting PG when UK goes back to a final four or a championship, he will be a legend.
Comment by UK Wildcat May 6, 2009 @ 6:49 pmFavorite school? Who cares? These kids don’t think about that. Bobby Hurley grew up a North Carolina fan his whole life. He was recruited heavily by UNC, but he picked Duke. Eric Bledsoe loved the Blue Devils his whole life.
Kids pick schools their schools based on what benefits them, not who they cheered for growing up.
Comment by robioland May 6, 2009 @ 6:50 pmI never said anything about Wall not picking a school because they aren’t his favorite team. I just said that it’s obvious he has wanted to play for them, but they aren’t recruiting him.
Comment by UK Wildcat May 6, 2009 @ 6:57 pmJohn Calipari has said repeatedly that his style of play (“the dribble drive offense”) is the primary attraction to these top players. John Wall can flourish under this style of play and showcase his talents. You have to keep in mind that he is only going to play college b-ball for 1 year, and this style unleashes players. John will be able to put on a show on national TV for almost every game. (especially with Calipari bringing all the national exposure and attention to UK, and the NEW ESPN TV contract which will put even more UK games on national TV).
Kentucky has been down for awhile, and they are about to return to the top (UK already has the #1 recruiting class even without Wall). It has happened before and this is no different. These things are cyclical, and happy days are going to be here again and will remain as long as John Calipari is running the show.
Comment by UKShawn May 6, 2009 @ 7:07 pmUK Wildcat, you’re missing the point. There’s a reason why guys like Xavier Henry and John Wall, both who are excited to play with Cal at Memphis, seemed to taper down when he went to Lexington. Heck even the Henrys bought a house in Memphis. Once Cal left for Kentucky, Xavier Henry canceled his visit and bolted off to Kansas and Wall, who beforehand declared Memphis as the leader, suddenly had no leader. Both guys had no intentions of following Cal to Lexington…why?? Because Lexington is a completely different city than Memphis, both culturally and demographically. Memphis, home of the blues and Elvis Presley, etc, has a 60% African American population. Lexington, KY, on the other hand, has a 13% African American population…at University of Kentucky, 88.5% classify themselves as whites and only 5.1% are blacks. Now let’s look at Duke and Durham in particular. Duke prides itself on academic achievement, athletic excellence, and cultural diversity . Only 51% classify them as white and 10% (double that of UK) call themselves African Americans. In fact it’s the 12th best school for African Americans and 5th in terms of non historically black schools in the country…
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0771723.html
University of Kentucky wasn’t even in the top 50.
43% of residents of Durham are African American which falls right in line with Memphis’ population.
Comment by Ace May 6, 2009 @ 7:10 pmSo, for a recruit, the number of African-Americans at a University is the most important factor in deciding what school to go? That is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. Eric Bledsoe (also an african-american) said that part of the reason he chose Kentucky was the city of Lexington. He said that after previously visiting Memphis.
Henry had narrowed his list down to Kansas and Memphis before choosing Memphis. Calipari leaves Memphis for a team that Henry was never considering, and that team automatically jumps into the top two for his services. To you, does that sound like he had no interest in following Calipari. Wall hasn’t been considering Kentucky for a while, and he had never committed to Memphis. Calipari leaves for Kentucky, and Wall automatically puts Kentucky in his list. Most experts have stated that Kentucky is one of the top, if not the top school on his list. Does that sound like Wall had no interest in following Calipari to Kentucky? I seriously doubt that the academics of a school are going to be a factor in Wall’s decision. He will never graduate from whatever school he attends. It is a foregone conclusion that he is a one and done player.
Comment by UK Wildcat May 6, 2009 @ 7:43 pmWow, I haven’t seen UK fans this excited since the days when Billy Clyde signed on to save the program. That was what, 3-4 weeks ago? The only true sign of desperation is not the recruitment of Wall but the hiring of Calipari. It was on his watch that UMass ran into trouble with the NCAA and it was on his watch when Memphis basketball dealt with multiple arrests and allegations of improper relationships with player reps. The once proud program of kentucky has lowered it’s standards and will pay the price in the long run.
Wall can go to Duke and play for an experienced team that just went to the sweet 16 or go to kentucky and play for a team with NIT experience. Wall or not, kentucky is not a contender without meeks and Duke is a contender even without Wall. Duke offers a coach who was chosen to coach the best players in the world at the Olympics or go to kentucky who just hired a coach who was recently chosen to coach memphis. Remember Memphis before Cal? I don’t either. I get it. If I were a consistent NIT team, I’d hire Cal. He has a track record of improving NIT caliber teams and making them relevant again.
My favorite post is the 2nd one from a “John Wall” In an attempt to sound snarky and educated, he uses a [sic] to indicate the “misuse of the term were”. Then he goes and misspells faux pas. You state school guys are too funny. Classic.
Comment by JP4Duke May 7, 2009 @ 12:05 amJohn Wall closer to decision….www.uksportsinfo.com
Comment by John May 7, 2009 @ 1:06 am[...] Wall do or die for the [...]
Pingback by Morning Newspaper for May 7th, 2009 | MrSEC.com May 7, 2009 @ 11:21 amIf it is Wall or nothing then my guess is it will be nothing.
Comment by Dave May 8, 2009 @ 2:32 pmI think coach K is great but I don’t see he and Wall hitting it off.
Probably will end up at UK or Miami.
About the above comment regarding cultural population percentage at schools, yes it DOES matter. I can speak from experience, this notion may be foriegn to you, but not to others. Besides that, Henderson would never have to play “behind” Wall because they play different positions & any help Henderson got during his senior year toward a title would be enough to entice him back…NBA or not, a chance at a college title is huge..I mean its not like you’re guaranteed a shot at an NBA ring just for being drafted. Even if Wall is a “1 & Done”, I can’t see Kentucky being that stacked for next season.
Comment by Tony Stark May 10, 2009 @ 4:36 pmAccording to the latest news, looks like nothing.
Comment by Aging Disgracefully May 19, 2009 @ 10:06 am[...] It’s ‘Wall’ or Nothing [...]
Pingback by Big Duke Balls May 20, 2009 @ 12:56 am[...] Like last year, Duke’s problem is at the point, where we don’t have a point guard, which is pretty sad considering we have what seems like 85 McDonald’s All-Americans on our roster . Of course if John Wall picks Duke, PG is not an issue and the Devils are ranked preseason No 1 this fall. Without him (and Henderson), we have some issues. [...]
Pingback by Black & Blue Tuesday | Sports Fan Goods May 20, 2009 @ 4:21 pmI don’t think Duke would have been the pre-season No. 1 with Wall.
Comment by Aging Disgracefully May 21, 2009 @ 10:57 am