An Argument For Jack White

Over at the Duke Chronicle, Jason Atwood suggests starting Jack White (instead of Marques Bolden) alongside RJ Barrett, Zion Williamson, Tre Young and Cam Reddish.

He has an argument but there are a couple of things to consider.

First, the games in Canada were not much to go by. Bolden didn't play well, that’s true, but we’ve all seen him at times when he was aggressive and effective. There’s no reason to assume he can’t play that way in the fall simply because he didn’t during a week in August.

We also don’t know why he didn’t play well and that’s important. He’s much better than he showed. Why did he play poorly? Injury? Emotional concerns? Fitness? Who knows?

We’re pretty sure he’ll do better in November.

On a different note, one of the most interesting things about following Duke closely is that inevitable game in December when someone unexpected starts. It could be White, it could be Alex O’ Connell. For all we know it could be Justin Robinson.

Something will change and it could happen again later and then later still until a different dynamic emerges.

This is an underappreciated key to Mike Krzyzewki’s success at Duke - his willingness to constantly tinker with his lineup to get the best results.

Start Bolden and you get inside strength. Start White and you get shooting, defense and rebounding. Start Javin DeLaurier and you get speed, defense and intensity.

You can’t count on anything other than constant refinement but if you pay close attention, that’s one of the most fun parts of any Duke season.