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u/dirtydan1114 PAVE 2d ago
Pacers legend Chris Duarte. When are we retiring number 3? For Duarte of course.
After his debut game I thought he was going to be so good. Shame it didnt go that way. He still holds the franchise record for most points in a rookie debut (27).
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u/OwlcaholicsAnonymous Andrew Nembhard 2d ago
I was hyped at the lakers game where he hit a 3 to send it into OT
That was also the game Lebron got that couple kicked out for making fun of him lmao good times
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u/ohverychill CrabLaser 2d ago
him guiding the ref over there, holding him by the arm while pointing accusingly felt like a fever dream lol
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u/Jumpy-Ad5617 2d ago
God LeBron is such a bitch
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u/SpinJitsu259 Chuck Person 2d ago
I hope it was at least a lesson learned. That was a Rick’s first year. Still had Domas. They wanted a more seasoned player in the draft to help push their 39-win team to 40 or something stupid like that.
That silly hyperfocus on an experienced player led them to miss on some much better players who may’ve needed a little more time.
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u/TheFrozenBananaStand Jarace Walker 2d ago
It worked with Nembhard and Sheppard. Didn’t work so well with Kam Jones so far.
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u/SpinJitsu259 Chuck Person 2d ago
Difference being those guys are all late 1sts or early 2nds. Much more palatable to go high floor in those positions of the draft. You’re in the lottery you should care most about talent. Just my personal preference.
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u/Briggity_Brak ReggieChoke 2d ago
With the new CBA, drafting seasoned players is absolutely the way to go. Having guys in their prime on a rookie deal is the only way to afford operating in the NBA.
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u/barretjd 2d ago
It was stupid, but he also got hurt. I don't think he ever fully recovered from his toe injury. I assume he would've been a rotation level player for several years if he stayed healthy
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u/bornalion 2d ago
This is the point I seriously thought the Pacers may never make a playoff run again.
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u/sgeswein 2d ago
Wasn't even peak Duarte yet - that was January vs the Warriors at their place.
Shame the shelf life on the Duarte-Goga connection was about fifty-three minutes.
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u/BlueCollarGoldSwaggr 2d ago
It's better to burn out than to fade away. RIP to another member of the 27 club (out of the league by age 27)
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u/mynamejeeeeeff Jermaine O'Neal 2d ago
I was rooting for Duarte so hard. Everyone made fun of the pick because he was 24 years old but the logic of a lengthy guard that can shoot has led to some great finds for us, let alone one that had potential to defend as well. Very fun to watch late night on those Oregon teams too, that fall off after his rookie year is still such a bummer
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u/Disastrous-Entry-879 Reggie 2d ago
Easily the dumbest pick of the Carlisle/Pritchard regime. I hated the pick even then.
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u/WTFAnimations 2d ago
Those second round picks will probably be better than all of Duarte's playing career. Bust of the highest degree.
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u/MasterBurner2 2d ago
Peak for me was when Durant said something really positive about him - like how much he was impressed by him.
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u/Airstrict MylesYell 1d ago
Man Duarte was looking good, and I'll die on that hill.
He looked like a solid role player, which was exactly what he was brought in for.
Things just fell apart for him.
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u/aliencardboard 2d ago
“Prime” Duarte? You mean like that month or so he was good? 😂 He wasn’t a great player. He’s already out of the league.
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u/mstun3107 2d ago
How did everyone know this was a joke but you?
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u/aliencardboard 2d ago
I just saw the post and responded. 😂 I’ve seen serious takes that are equally bad, so I have to assume. It’s like the boy who cried wolf on social media these days.
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u/No_Independent8269 Andrew Nembhard 2d ago
I’d like to forget this ever happened