Wofford & General Non-Conf Reaction + Reunited and it Feels So Good (With Ray Holloman) (2019-20, Ep. 11)

Duke Basketball Corner

Duke Basketball Corner

Wofford/General Non-Conf Reaction + Reunited and it Feels So Good (With Ray Holloman)

2019-20, Ep. 11

10-1 (1-0)

A bit of background on on the structure of this epside:

Ray Holloman is my guest on the ep, but I don't even like calling him that considering he was for a while as close as I've ever come to having a permanent co-host. Long story short, his job and family life just didn't give him the abililty to consistently record, and when we were able to arrange time, it usuall occured late at night, like really late, and ended up wrecking havoc on our sleep schedule after each, more so him than me since I don't need much sleep in general.

While scheduling could be and mostly was an issue during the DBC Ray era, the ep you're about to hear reminded me of of exactly what is so great about recording with him and what's also frustrating for me, because the thing is, Ray and I love to talk Duke, like looooove to talk Duke, and we love all the details and stories and context of it.

I've never been a natural play-by-play guy, always more of a color commentator, so while I've become used to playing both roles at the same time over the years, I was always tested more handling the play-by-play aspects with Ray, because I find every story he tells about something Duke-related to be worthy quality and great entertainment. The issue is the length, which coming from me is funny. Often our recording sessions would be marathons, and we'd just keep chatting after it was officially over. Often I'd have to edit out 75% of each ep's material, because I'm not going to post a four hour episode each week, whether it's split up or not.

So overall, I always found it tough to cut him off and eliminate topics and do whatever I could to trim time, because if I didn't, we'd just keep going. If it sound like I'm blaming him consider the fact that I equaled out to 50% of the people recording, and I controlled the topics, so I'm not blaming anyone, and am holding myself accountable.

So to sum it all up, since I cover everything current as far as news, notes, analysis, and projects each week, I just wanted him on to chat about Duke, and hopefully others would find our conversation interesting. I wanted the topics based around current Duke (and hopefully a 2010s decade ep we'll record next weekend) but more free-flowing. Basically I dind't want to get in the way.

So what happens? We record for 45 minutes veering off into all sorts of territory before actually being able to focus on the first current topic, which is Wofford haha.

While Ray and I do discuss key topics such as Joey Baker's role as well as the major team factor I promised last ep, I'd actually say the first 45 minutes or so is peak Ray and I, which I couldn't love any more. I'm hoping others enjoy that as well, because I recognize it's a big change of pace as far as the format.

It was originally intended to give an overview of nonconference and talk about moving foward, It's not worth listing all every minor detail I had to leave out because of time, but do want to give a shoutout to my favorite overall type of shot so far this season, a shot which has existed in as pure a form as now since the day he arrived at Duke, he sunk one in Canada summer of 2018. and that's Joey Baker's shot face, one dribble, rise and fire. I need to specify, I think I mentioned Baker had played in 18 lineups from Georgia State through Wofford. I was actually talking about his 18 most played. Overall he's been in 42 different lineups and 35 filtering out garbage time, much more than 18. I was strictly referring to Duke’s 18 *most played* lineups during the time period involving Joey Baker. I stated last ep Jack White would be my choice for most underrated Duke player, then proceeded to barely talk about him, and don’t even think I mentioned him for more than a sentence on this episode. Perhaps he wouldn’t be as underrated and/or under the radar if folks like me consistently would give him more shine. Shame on me.

Last thing, which I actually talked about in-depth with Ray before than I somehow blanked while recorded, I've mentioned Tre's completely re-worked form and release constantly. It's nuts to imagine how much work he put in over the summer to re-work it to such an extent. I'm done telling people what I'm going to write or hoping to write. It's been a struggle to find time and motivation, but it’s worth stating that the Tre feature is the one article I mentioned over and over, plus even offered to send anyone who requested via emial a video I’d completed showing his made non-layups during the season. It really does blow my mind that the centerpiece player of Duke completely re-worked his form and release and it’s not only not being showcased and highlighted, it’s [from what I’ve seen and heard] not even being acknowledged. Duke deserves the highest quality coverage imo, and it’s a shame the type of coverage which ends up occurring instead is focused on lazy clichés, narratives, and generalities. Feel free to email me if you’re the type who enjoys reading, because it doesn’t take much motivation to get me going if I feel like there’s a demand for it.

Okay, I've rambled long enough. Hopefully everyone enjoys the holiday season doing or not doing whatever makes you happy. Hopefully you'll also get another ep in a week with Ray and I giving thoughts on the 2010s decade. If there's anything you'd like included, email Duke basketball corner. Co-host inquiries, email duke basketball corner at gmail. Keep in mind I put in the time to make this pod the best option anywhere for Duke analysis, and that includes every platform both paid and unpaid. All I've ever asked for is a bit of promo. Writing a review takes 30 seconds at most. RTing a pod post on twitter or writing your own tweet promoting the pod takes 30 seconds at most. Thanks, and enjoy the episode.

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