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Krzyzewski on Rivers: 'He's got to change'

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08:14 AM ET 07.11 | After losing so much production over the previous two seasons, Mike Krzyzewski, in the eyes of some, had to hit a recruiting home run in 2011. It appears the Blue Devils have done that with a class led by Winter Park, Fla., guard Austin Rivers. ... Publicly, at least, Krzyzewski is keeping expectations for Rivers from getting too high. Rivers said recently that he needs to strengthen his skills and body and develop a defensive mindset, and Krzyzewski seems to agree. "He's got to change," Krzyzewski said. "He's got to learn to become a complete player. For any freshman coming in, there's a huge difference in playing with older guys, more physical. It's a whole different thing." Others are less cautious about predicting Rivers will have an immediate, significant impact at Duke.

The News & Observer

Mike Krzyzewski, Getty Images

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July 11, 2011 08:37 AM ET

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The k-rat is setting the stage to show subzero that he should stay in derm beyond his frosh season. Hopefully my Tar HEELS will make his time there difficult to bear. Ball-hogging is big in the NBA.

darrell4868

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July 11, 2011 08:38 AM ET

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Being called out publicly about your ability to improve is never a good thing.

Home Theater Guy

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July 11, 2011 08:40 AM ET

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at least he is a son of a coach

ClevelandGuy

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July 11, 2011 08:43 AM ET

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The kid is at least saying the right things....

"Rivers said recently that he needs to strengthen his skills and body and develop a defensive mindset, and Krzyzewski seems to agree."

...but talk is cheap, doing what you say is better. We'll see.

Deep Creek

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July 11, 2011 09:16 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:40 AM ET 07.11 by ClevelandGuy

at least he is a son of a coach

@ UNC we had a son of a coach and he was a cancer on the team. Hoping for the same kind of thing in dook's locker room in H.I.S.

darrell4868

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July 11, 2011 09:21 AM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:38 AM ET 07.11 by Home Theater Guy

Being called out publicly about your ability to improve is never a good thing.

That's got to be one of the most uneducated quotes I've ever seen on here. People thrive on this...it's what PJax did all the time with his players. It doesn't take a person with an advanced degree in psychology to tell you that this was a comment made to motivate the new kid; don't stop working, get ready to take your game to another level, and let's see what you got - in essence.

ukes124

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July 11, 2011 09:21 AM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:38 AM ET 07.11 by Home Theater Guy

Being called out publicly about your ability to improve is never a good thing.

ukes124

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July 11, 2011 09:29 AM ET

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Ok... the kid has one hand and is a poor defender.

Rivers was never going to be a "one and done"... He is going to wear dookie blue for four years while he improves. This was the plan the ENTIRE time.

The Action Brown

New York , NY

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July 11, 2011 09:58 AM ET

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QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 09:43 AM ET 07.11 by .5 47-7

If he works on his game he could be a 1 and done..But unlike others, he comes from a background where he can stay 2/3 years to work on his game

McDonald's All Americans tend to regress after 2-3 years at dook. subzero will continue this curse.

darrell4868

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July 11, 2011 09:59 AM ET

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QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 09:43 AM ET 07.11 by .5 47-7

Drew is a product of his dad... and he sucked..He shouldnt have even had a scholly to play at NC..Rivers has the skillset and Doc IMO is not the type to coddle his kid

Drew is a weak individual who will always get by on his father's back.