Picking Duke’s Best Players Ever Is Not Easy
And very few people will get the same roster
Over at ESPN, Myron Medcalf took a whack at picking Duke’s best players ever. Here’s who he came up with:
- Jason WIlliams
- Christian Laettner
- Grant Hill
- Zion Williamson
- Cooper Flagg
Reserves
- Shane Battier
- Johnny Dawkins
- JJ Redick
- Bobby Hurley
- Elton Brand
Medcalf rightly says it’s just about impossible since there has been so much talent that you have to leave great players off. For instance, even counting his honorable mentions, he leaves out Mike Gminski, Art Heyman, Jeff Mullins and Jack Marin.
However, given his list, we would have to take Bobby Hurley over Jason Williams. Why?
Because of Hurley’s insane success, fueled by intensity. Williams was more talented, but Hurley won two national championships and still holds the NCAA assist record. More to the point, Williams sometimes lost focus. Hurley never lost focus.
We’d also have to consider Battier over Flagg. Flagg was superb this season, but Battier had a four-year career and emerged as one of the toughest, best leaders Duke’s ever had. He was also one of the very best defenders ever to pass through Cameron.
Like Hurley over Williams, Flagg has more talent and if he stayed for longer, he might be right behind Laettner and Hill.
But he didn’t, so we’d have to give the edge to Battier.