Blue Devils in the NBA: Season Recap
It was another terrific year for Blue Devils in the NBA. Here are a few of the highlights:
It was another terrific year for Blue Devils in the NBA. Here are a few of the highlights:
• Mike Dunleavy, Jr. had a breakout season with the Indiana Pacers that saw him set a new career high in scoring of 36 points and then match it four different times during the course of the season, including once in back-to-back games! The Oregon native averaged 19.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.5 APG and 1.0 SPG (one of only 10 players to average at least 19 points, 5 boards, 3.5 assists and 1 steal per game).
• Carlos Boozer made his second NBA All-Star Team in the ultra-competitive Western Conference and earned All-NBA honors, then once again lead his Jazz team to the playoffs and into the second round. The Duke All-American ranked 18th in the NBA in scoring (21.1 PPG) and eighth in rebounding (10.4 RPG), and was one of only four players in the league to average at least 21 and 10 on a nightly basis.
• Shane Battier became one of the faces of an historic NBA winning streak, as the Houston Rockets rode team defense and selfless play (both Shane’s specialties) to an unbelievable 22-game winning streak, the second longest in NBA history.
• Elton Brand was forced to sit out most of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon, but came back as strong as ever to average 17.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.9 blocks in his eight games back from injury.
• Corey Maggette stepped in as the go-to guy for the Clippers while Elton sat out with his injury and had a career year, averaging 22.1 points (11th in the NBA), 5.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.
• Grant Hill finally recovered fully from his ankle problems to play almost the entire season for the Phoenix Suns, drawing rave reviews from coaches, teammates, and fans and showing everyone that he still has a lot of great basketball left in him. The seven-time NBA All-Star became the third straight Blue Devil to win the NBA’s Sportsmanship Award (Shane Battier finished second behind Grant).
Those are just a few of the bright spots for the Blue Devils this past NBA season, and with a busy off-season ahead of us, expect to see more headlines in the future.
Boozer Looks Ahead to Olympics
After once again leading the Utah Jazz deep in the Western Conference playoffs this season, Carlos Boozer is on the short list of players vying to make the 12-man U.S. Olympic Basketball Team. Having already won an NCAA Championship with Mike Krzyzewski in 2001, Carlos hopes he and Coach K can work together to bring home another championship this summer… the Olympic Gold Medal.
Blue Devils Could Be On the Move
Several of Duke’s NBA players could be putting on a different uniform next season. Elton Brand and Corey Maggette each have the option of opting out of the final year of their contracts with the L.A. Clippers to explore the opportunities as unrestricted free agents. Brand’s current deal would pay him over $16 million next year, making him one of the highest paid players in the NBA, but the two-time All-Star could have other attractive options as well. Maggette has been a bargain player for the Clippers for several years now, and is expected to opt out to seek a contract more in line with his terrific production on the court.
Two other teammates could also be changing cities over the summer. Chris Duhon is an unrestricted free agent and will likely be looking for a new NBA squad with a less crowded backcourt than the Chicago Bulls. Having proven himself over and over again as a terrific leader, floor general, and defender in the NBA, there should be no shortage of options. Luol Deng is a restricted free agent this summer but is less likely to change teams, given that he is widely considered one of the Bulls’ biggest building blocks for the future. However, since Chicago hit the jackpot last week by winning the draft lottery, there is a lot of speculation about what the No. 1 pick could mean for the current players on the team.
Grant Hill also has a player option for next season with the Phoenix Suns. The Suns are in the process of hiring a new head coach following Mike D’Antoni’s move to New York.
DeMarcus in Orlando
2008 All-American DeMarcus Nelson is one of 64 players participating in this week’s NBA Pre-Draft Camp in Orlando. The camp takes place from Tuesday through Friday as NBA teams look to gain more insight on potential draft selections.
Carlos Boozer Earns All-NBA Recognition
In last season’s NBA playoffs, Carlos Boozer cemented his status as one of the NBA’s elite forwards with a remarkable performance in leading the Utah Jazz to the Western Conference Finals. This season, Carlos has built on that signature performance with a terrific season, averaging 21.1 points and 10.4 rebounds per game en route to his second All-Star selection. Adding to the accolades last week, Boozer was named to the All-NBA Third Team, joining Grant Hill and Elton Brand among the ranks of All-NBA Blue Devils currently in the league.
In last season’s NBA playoffs, Carlos Boozer cemented his status as one of the NBA’s elite forwards with a remarkable performance in leading the Utah Jazz to the Western Conference Finals. This season, Carlos has built on that signature performance with a terrific season, averaging 21.1 points and 10.4 rebounds per game en route to his second All-Star selection. Adding to the accolades last week, Boozer was named to the All-NBA Third Team, joining Grant Hill and Elton Brand among the ranks of All-NBA Blue Devils currently in the league.
Carlos Boozer drives to the bucket May 11th vs. the Lakers
Battier Named to NBA All-Defensive Second Team
As the best defensive player on the best defensive team in the NBA this season, Rockets foward Shane Battier deservingly finished third in the recent NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting, behind only winner Kevin Garnett and runner-up Marcus Camby. Monday, the recognition for Battier’s amazing defensive performance on the season continued, as he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Shane was the top vote-getter on the Second Team, missing a place on the First Team by only four points. Congratulations to Shane on his amazing accomplishments this season.
As the best defensive player on the best defensive team in the NBA this season, Rockets foward Shane Battier deservingly finished third in the recent NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting, behind only winner Kevin Garnett and runner-up Marcus Camby. Monday, the recognition for Battier’s amazing defensive performance on the season continued, as he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Shane was the top vote-getter on the Second Team, missing a place on the First Team by only four points. Congratulations to Shane on his amazing accomplishments this season.
Boozer Breaks Out in Game Three
In the Western Conference Semifinals, the Lakers have focused their defense on slowing down Carlos Boozer on the interior, limiting him to 12.5 points per game through the first two games of the series, both Lakers wins. In Game Three, however, with the Jazz staring at a potentially devastating 0-3 series deficit, Carlos once again put on a signature performance, dominating the L.A. front line to the tune of 27 points and 20 rebounds and joining Karl Malone as the only players in Utah history to record a 20/20 game in the playoffs. Boozer was particularly effective down the stretch, with 11 points and 7 rebounds in the fourth quarter, including a clutch rebound and putback of his own miss at the free throw line to hold the Lakers off down the stretch. Boozer’s big night may have shifted the momentum in the series, as Utah rallied to a 2-2 series tie Sunday night in an overtime win. Carlos was again huge down the stretch, scoring 12 points in the second half, including two clutch free-throws in the closing moments of regulation.
Despite being held below his scoring average against L.A., Boozer has found other ways to help his team, improving on his season averages in both rebounds (12.8 per game for the series) and assists (3.5 per game for the series). The series now moves back to Los Angeles Wednesday night, where a win could put the Jazz (owners of the NBA’s best regular-season home record) one home victory away from a return trip to the Western Conference Finals.
Playoff Updates
Carlos Boozer isn’t the only Blue Devil still alive in the NBA Playoffs. Danny Ferry, the general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers, watched his team tie up their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series against Boston Monday night. In addition, the Orlando Magic and J.J. Redick hope to avoid elimination Tuesday night against the Pistons.
Duke Blue Planet NBA Fantasy League Update
Carlos Boozer took home the top ranking among individual players in this year’s Blue Planet Fantasy League. The All-Star and All-NBA choice averaged 44.0 fantasy points per game, as Duke boasted five of the top 16 performers on the year.
Carlos Boozer took home the top ranking among individual players in this year’s Blue Planet Fantasy League. The All-Star and All-NBA choice averaged 44.0 fantasy points per game, as Duke boasted five of the top 16 performers on the year.
2007-08 BP Fantasy League Sweet 16 Performers
(Average Fantasy Production Per Game)
1. Carlos Boozer (Duke)… 44.0
2. Caron Butler (UConn)… 43.1
3. Antawn Jamison (UNC)… 42.5
4. Vince Carter (UNC)… 41.9
5. Andrew Igoudala (Arizona)… 40.9
6. Paul Pierce (Kansas)… 37.9
7. Rudy Gay (UConn)… 36.8
8. Elton Brand (Duke)… 36.1
9. Corey Maggette (Duke)… 35.7
10. Richard Jefferson (Arizona)… 25.6
11. Gilbert Arenas (Arizona)… 35.5
12. Mike Dunleavy (Duke)… 35.5
13. Emeka Okafor (UConn)… 35.0
14. Raymond Felton (UNC)… 33.7
15. Mike Miller (Florida)… 33.2
16. Luol Deng (Duke)… 32.6
Scoring summary: one point for each point scored, 1.5 point for each rebound, two points for each assist, steal or block, 0.5 points for each 3-pointer made, and -1.2 points for each turnover. Field-goal percentage is included by subtracting 0.2 points for each field goal attempt and adding 0.5 points for each field goal made, which would mean you break even by shooting 40% from the field … NBA Fantasy League Participants (the top seven most productive programs in the NBA) included Duke, Connecticut, UNC, Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Kansas
Scoring summary: one point for each point scored, 1.5 point for each rebound, two points for each assist, steal or block, 0.5 points for each 3-pointer made, and -1.2 points for each turnover. Field-goal percentage is included by subtracting 0.2 points for each field goal attempt and adding 0.5 points for each field goal made, which would mean you break even by shooting 40% from the field … NBA Fantasy League Participants (the top seven most productive programs in the NBA) included Duke, Connecticut, UNC, Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Kansas
Quote of the Week
“I love Coach K’s passion, his intensity for the game. He and I had some conversations when I was in school about the system and the style of play, and I just really found him to be a person that I can get along with, not only on the basketball court, but off the court as well. We just hit it off and I’m very fortunate to be playing for him this summer.”
NBA MVP Kobe Bryant
“I love Coach K’s passion, his intensity for the game. He and I had some conversations when I was in school about the system and the style of play, and I just really found him to be a person that I can get along with, not only on the basketball court, but off the court as well. We just hit it off and I’m very fortunate to be playing for him this summer.”
NBA MVP Kobe Bryant
May 11, 2008
Former Duke All-American Carlos Boozer was named to the NBA’s 2007-08 All-NBA team, earning third-team status after leading the Utah Jazz to a second straight Northwest Division title. On the year, Carlos averaged 21.1 PPG and 10.4 RPG while connecting on 55% of his field-goal attempts.
One of just two players in the league this year to average at least 21 PPG and 10 RPG, Boozer was named a Western Conference All-Star earlier this season as well. He compiled 51 double-doubles (6th in the NBA) and ranked fourth among NBA power forwards in scoring. The Alaska native scored at least 30 points in 11 games, and recorded at least 20 and 10 in 34 of his regular-season games. He ranked eighth in the NBA in rebounding and ninth in field-goal percentage.
The Jazz finished the season with a 54-28 record, including a league-best 37-4 mark at home. Boozer was the team’s leader in scoring and rebounding, while ranking second in steals.
Duke Power in the Paint
Carlos is the second Blue Devil power forward in the past three seasons to earn All-NBA honors, joining Elton Brand (a second-team choice in 2005-06).
Look Back… C-Booz’s Top 5 ‘07-’08 Regular-Season Games
2/13/08 at Seattle (112-93 win)…
22 pts (9-17 FG, 4-6 FT), 11 rebs, 10 assts, 5 stls, 0 TO
11/25/07 at Detroit (103-93 win)…
36 pts (17-20 FG, 2-2 FT), 11 rebs, 3 assts
3/28/08 vs. L.A. Clippers (121-101 win)…
34 pts (16-22 FG, 2-3 FT), 17 rebs, 3 assts, 2 stls
1/25/08 vs. Sacramento (127-113 win)…
33 pts (15-19 FG, 3-4 FT), 10 rebs, 2 assts
3/15/08 at New Jersey (117-115 loss)…
41 pts (15-19 FG, 11-13 FT), 9 rebs, 2 assts
Carlos Boozer Quote Board
“His game is something we don’t have much on that roster — you know, a power forward with an inside post-up game. We really wanted him last summer. It would have been a great addition. And he just couldn’t do it.”
Team USA Managing Director Jerry Colangelo on Carlos Boozer
“Look at Jerry Sloan, how lucky he is. He had Malone and Stockton. Now he has Malone and Stockton again.”
Golden State Head Coach Don Nelson
“He’s emerged as one of the dominant players every night. He’s become such a force on both ends of the court – and he’s always been a great rebounder and scorer.”
ESPN.com analyst Kiki Vandeweghe, on Carlos Boozer
“One thing about Carlos — he can be a sponge, listen and grasp ideas. He’s an absolutely terrific teammate who cares about the other guys on the team — both on and off the court.”
Utah Jazz VP Kevin O’Connor
5thMay
Chris Duhon Basketball Camp Returns to the Emily K Center
Posted by DBradley under Center of the Universe
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For the third straight year, Chris Duhon has partnered with the Emily K Center to host a camp for Durham-area kids. The five-day camp, slated for July 21-25, is open to boys and girls aged 7-14. It promises to be a week of fun and good instruction!
For more information or to register for the camp, download the 2008 brochure or visit www.chrisduhon21.com. You can also contact the Emily K Center at:Emily Krzyzewski Center Phone Number: (919) 680-0308
Fax Number: (919) 680-0309 Thanks for your interest! Chris can’t wait for camp to get started!
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