Three positives to keep Duke basketball fans happy
By Matt Johnson
Third positive about Duke basketball: THE TEAM HAS SOME FIGHT
Like any other profession, college basketball is a result-based industry, and I understand that this next sentence will seem hollow to a fanbase expecting brilliance. But this team has the fight, real moxie, as the old school boxing announcers would say.
It would be very easy for the young group of guys Duke has to get dejected and stop trying when they get into early holes. But these guys have guts. They have fortitude. And that is something past Blue Devil championship teams have had.
ALSO READ: Ranking the first 40 Duke teams under Coach K
I firmly believe that the offensive execution will come, and when it does, it pays to be the person in the fight who actually wants to be there. With the previously mentioned Jordan Goldwire-led defense, this team keeps clawing.
Getting into early deficits against Michigan St. and Illinois is a prime example of that. Granted, the Blue Devils should never get themselves into those chasms. Yet rough starts can happen, and I’m happy to know that this young squad can stay in games and at least keep it interesting.
I realize this is little consolation to us as Duke fans, but I have to keep reminding myself to trust the plan. Trust that Mike Krzyzewski knows what he’s doing and that no matter what happens via COVID, our leader will be able to scramble and get this ship into calmer waters.
The haters are hating right now across social media. Coach K dared to show concern for his team and wonder what the plan is for navigating this new landscape with cancellations and postponements of games abound.
The coyotes are circling and having themselves a good laugh thinking the boss only wants to reconsider playing because Duke lost two games. But remember, coyotes can’t hunt for themselves. They can only eat garbage and gang up on wounded animals until the bigger animal comes back to send them running.
This world will straighten itself out, and when it does, the game’s all-time wins leader will remember all the mud being slung at him right now.
Coach K will fight like hell, and having a team that comes ready-made to swing like Clubber Lang is going to be worth its weight in gold. I know times are tight right now, folks, but stick by your Blue Devils. They will fight and be great again.
And greatness, no matter how it comes or what it’s for, is always something worth watching.
Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more Duke basketball news and views.