Swan Song

[CameronBornAndBred]

I have no idea when Mike Krzyzewski is going to retire from Duke. I had a very strong inkling that this (2016-17) was the year that he would say goodbye after the season. I still think that is possible, but, after one more defection, I have solid doubts that we are about to witness a swan song. I think the stage is being set, though.

Today, Luke Kennard declared for the NBA. He joins one and dones (OADs) Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum. Chase Jeter has packed his two year baggage as well in search of more playing time. For the first time in a long while, the end result of this season's non-deep NCAA run is that Coach K's teams is facing a large number of defections, as opposed to a number of players walking away champions. We have no idea what Grayson will do, so there may be more to come. (This post continues with the assumption that Grayson Allen wants to prove his mettle and worth of being a great in Duke Basketball lore.)

Think of being Mike Krzyzewski. You are home from another Olympic gold medal. Your recruited team is the expected and announced number one team in the country. You are on top of the world, and you are going out on top. And then...it all tanks. Injury. Injury. Injury. Tripping. Injury. Redemption. ACC four in four...and then poof. Season up in early smoke. What to do?

And then, to add insult to injury, injury, injury...you get defections. Some expected, some not. End result is a team depleted, but it is a team of guys that you recruited because they are very good at the game they play, and you are very good at coaching it. That is an amazing opportunity, and one which I believe Coach K would love to go out on, win or lose.
We still have a whole offseason to fret over who he and Coach Capel bring to Cameron to fill the vacancies, but I believe this is the classic type moment that our 5 time champion coach lives for.

One more season. I am going to relish it. I think it is our last before a new adventure begins.

[Bob Green]

Great post! I feel for the folks who do not take the time to stop and smell the roses. Coach K will be retiring sometime in the near future.

We are going to be fine next season. There are a few decisions left before we know the team. In my priority order:

1. Grayson Allen. Hopefully he stays as a healthy, focused Allen is a juggernaut.
2. PG Trevon Duval - the most important recruit left to decide because PG is the most critical position. Plus, he has to come to Duke so he can be next in a long line of players whose name gets constantly misspelled on DBR.
3. Wing/PF Kevin Knox and C Mohamed Bamba. I predict Knox to Duke and Bamba to somewhere else. He isn't coming with Bolden staying.

So a potential line-up is:

C - Bolden
PF - Wendell Carter
SF - Knox (If Knox comes he will spend a lot of time at PF as well just like Tatum and Ingram before him)
SG - Allen
PG - Duval

With Jackson and Gary Trent the first two subs off the bench. Hopefully, Vrankovic sees increased minutes.

[Very Duke Blue]

Thanks Chris and Bob for your insight. I have high hopes for next season.

[YmoBeThere]

Okay, I've now listened to Led Zepplin's Swan Song 3 times since seeing this thread.

Agreed, the end of an era is nigh.