Reactions to Duke's win over China on Thursday

So, I got the chance to watch the second game for Duke in China vs. the Chinese Junior National Team. 

Here are my reactions –

Austin Rivers –

You can tell he is super talented; the kid is going to be amazing and will be battling Seth Curry for the spot as the “leader” of the team.  I think right now Curry is the leader, but you can see that Rivers is used to being the leader and may take that role over after some games.  Today Rivers didn’t play great, he turned the ball over 7 times and 2-3 of them came as Duke was trying to hold onto their double digit lead with only a few minutes left.  I think Coach K will get in his ear tonight, as he did today during the game, and hopefully Rivers will correct this wildness.  Can’t wait to see Rivers continue to grow under K this year, he will be amazing once he learns to harness all of his talent.

Ryan Kelly –

I said he is my vote for most improved from last year, and in the first two games in China the kid hasn’t done anything to make me rethink this.  Yesterday Kelly had a double double with 14 pts and 13 rbs and today he put up 20 pts with 8 rebounds on 9-11 shooting.  ESPN’s Doug Gottlieb pointed out many times that Kelly has shed 10-15 lbs this off season and you do notice him being more agile on the court.  Kelly mixed in the three point shot, mid range game, pull up off the dribble, left hand sweeping drive and back to the basket in this game.  If Kelly’s confidence continues to grow, much like his new beard, he will be very tough to stop at 6’10 with ball handling skills and able to score from anywhere on the court.

Andre Dawkins –

Looking much more confident in today’s game from last year.  He looks like he knows his role and is ready to take it and run.  He started the game with Seth Curry and Austin Rivers in the backcourt and from the start was aggressive on the drive and with no fear of pulling the trigger from three.  While is shot was off today from downtown (2-7), we all know the kid can shoot and that shouldn’t worry anyone.  It is more the aggressive drives and style of play that should bolster Duke fan’s hopes of a huge year out of the junior.

Alex Murphy –

Ok, we get it he is a Kyle Singler type player, but wholly crap does he also need to wear #12 and look exactly like Singler from a distance on the court (especially in the disgusting ESPNU non-HD broadcast, c’mon ESPN get HD for ESPNU already).  Murphy looks like a nice player and once comfortable will be a nice weapon off the bench for Duke at 6’9 with an inside outside game…well…much like Kyle Singler’s.

Defense –

As a team, Duke fought through the horrible calls all game by the international (and in fear of being jailed for life by the Chinese government) refs.  They played great defense and kept the Chinese scoreless for much of the first quarter.  Yet again the free throw discrepancy was +20 with the Chinese shooting 32 and Duke 10, yesterday it was 40-15.

Miles Plumlee –

Miles had a great second half of this game today.  He had TWO count ‘em TWO post moves that were actually successful!  If you have watched Miles through his career you know what an accomplishment this is.  As was mentioned during the telecast, Duke is hoping for a “Zoubek like light bulb moment” from Miles in his senior year and the second half was hopefully the start of that.

Not too much to speak of from this game.  I will be giving you breakdowns of what I saw in the remaining two games on Aug 22 and Aug 25^th for Duke on their overseas trip.