Summer 2009

Good Lord, but if there ain't a ton to talk about.

First of all, the bad news. Gerald Henderson is officially gone. He has signed with an agent, and that, as they say, is that. Currently, there are a few mock drafts that have Gerald being taken as high as 10th by the Milwaukee Bucks. (On a side note, I was surprised earlier this year to find out that Milwaukee still had an NBA franchise.)

This disturbs me as a fan of Gerald Henderson because he had just come into his own this year, only beginning to realize his potential and to act with confidence and swagger in mid-January. If Gerald went another year under the Duke coaching staff, he could solidify his game and leadership and walk out as a potential top five pick.

But it disturbs me more as a fan of Duke basketball, given that an improved Gerald Henderson and a seasoned supporting cast returning next year, could easily have given Duke another ACC Championsip, and perhaps a trip to the Final Four.

What Duke loses in Gerald Henderson, is someone who can create points. Duke will, it seems, always rely heavily on the long-ball. But stretches of 0-12 behind the arc are more easily weathered when you have a dribble-drive penetrator who can finish. Gerald was that guy. Now, who does Duke turn to? Or do they have an incoming freshman who can do the job?

We'll take a look at the remaining Blue Devils for 2009 in upcoming posts.