Dana O'Neil from ESPN wrote an article about the players to watch in the upcoming season and there are two Heels mentioned on this list. Ed Davis and Tyler Zeller are the victims on this list, but this isn't a Madden Curse dealio here. O'Neil mentions that if Zeller can be just an impression of Hansbrough, then the Heels should be in good shape. She says of Davis that Roy will have a hard time selling the "woe is Carolina" line to people because he was projected as a top-five pick in this year's draft.
Now, everybody is excited about Davis because he could be what Marvin Williams was supposed to be before he decided he was too cool for school. Ed Davis is going to be big time and it will be exciting to watch him become an All-ACC First Team performer.
Zeller is a wild card next year. He will not be Tyler Hansbrough, but that's ok with me. He just needs to play in his role. Remember that Zeller has a good offensive game, which would greatly balance out Davis's defensive game (Yes, Davis will be better on the offensive end). The wrist injury really set Zeller back, but I imagine he is hard at work this summer and hopefully gets a little quicker and stronger for this next season.
In all reality, I think Zeller will be around for his 4 years (3 1/2 if you want to be technical) and I believe Davis will be gone after this year, but you never know. Bottom line is that UNC will have the best front court in the nation. BOO-YAH!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Is that a Pen Name?
Roy Williams is writing an autobiography? Yes, yes he is. It's release is sometime in November, so we'll have to wait until then to read it. I think this would be a great read, especially if he talks about learning under Dean Smith and winning his last two national championships. That would be really special.
Since we're talking abut books here, here's a book that I have enjoyed throughly. It's written by Wes Miller and Adam Lucas about Wes Miller's senior year at North Carolina. It's called The Road to Blue Heaven and here's a link if you want to check it out. Great book that gives some good insight into what goes on behind the scenes of a North Carolina team. As a fan, I love this book because it brings me that much closer to the action. I would encourage you to at least read it if you are a fan and buy it if you are a huge fan.
Since we're talking abut books here, here's a book that I have enjoyed throughly. It's written by Wes Miller and Adam Lucas about Wes Miller's senior year at North Carolina. It's called The Road to Blue Heaven and here's a link if you want to check it out. Great book that gives some good insight into what goes on behind the scenes of a North Carolina team. As a fan, I love this book because it brings me that much closer to the action. I would encourage you to at least read it if you are a fan and buy it if you are a huge fan.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Look Out World!
Two posts in two days. I'm making a comeback on the blogging world.
First let's congradulate Dustin Ackley. He was the second overall pick in the MLB draft and will probably be the next best hope for the Seattle Mariners. Also, he is in his fourth College World Series and now is the all-time hits leader in the College World Series. He now has 27 hits in 14 games after going 5-6 yesterday. I know this blog is mostly about basketball, but I do try and follow the Heels on the diamond as well.
Second, we have some new top 25s in the college basketball world. Fox Sports has the Heels at #5; Sportsline has them at #4; Andy Katz has them at #5 and Pat Forde has them at #4. So things are looking pretty good for the Heels, but this is all on paper and has no real relevance until March. But it gives the writers something to write about and it gives the fans something to think about - and believe me, I am thinking about next year. I'm so ready to see this team in action. I like what Pat Forde said about the Heels:
"Carolina has become recession-proof."
I like reading that statement. It makes me feel good. So until next time...
First let's congradulate Dustin Ackley. He was the second overall pick in the MLB draft and will probably be the next best hope for the Seattle Mariners. Also, he is in his fourth College World Series and now is the all-time hits leader in the College World Series. He now has 27 hits in 14 games after going 5-6 yesterday. I know this blog is mostly about basketball, but I do try and follow the Heels on the diamond as well.
Second, we have some new top 25s in the college basketball world. Fox Sports has the Heels at #5; Sportsline has them at #4; Andy Katz has them at #5 and Pat Forde has them at #4. So things are looking pretty good for the Heels, but this is all on paper and has no real relevance until March. But it gives the writers something to write about and it gives the fans something to think about - and believe me, I am thinking about next year. I'm so ready to see this team in action. I like what Pat Forde said about the Heels:
"Carolina has become recession-proof."
I like reading that statement. It makes me feel good. So until next time...
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
So that NBA Draft Thing...
I Know it's been awhile. It has been rather busy around this side of the blogosphere, so I apologize.
Here's some info on where the Heels are projected at:
Tyler Hansbrough
Draft Express - #20 to the Jazz
NBA Draft.net - #20 to the Jazz
SI - #24 to the Blazers
Fox Sports - #20 to the Jazz
Ty Lawson
Draft Express - #17 to the 76ers
NBA Draft.net - #25 to the Thunder
SI - #14 to the Suns
Fox Sports -#25 to the Thunder
Wayne Ellington
Draft Express - #28 to the Timberwolves
NBA Draft.net - #19 to the Hawks
SI - #26 to the Bulls
Fox Sports - #19 to the Hawks
That's all I can get because I don't have ESPN Insider. Danny Green was not included because he is a second round pick and most sites don't project that deep. Here are my thoughts on these players and their future careers:
Tyler Hansbrough has been criticized by NBA people since the dawn of time. He is too slow, then not tall enough, not explosive, etc. Well here’s my opinion on him at the next level. At worst, he will be a rotation player. He has a high basketball IQ and can shoot, rebound, and defend. He’s not going to be buried on the bench. Best case scenario is that he becomes a Carlos Boozer. Yes, I did just mention a former Duke player, but when Boozer was drafted, I said adamantly he would amount to nothing because he was too short, not fast enough, etc. Well last time I checked, Boozer played on the Olympic team, makes more money than he should and has been an all-star at least once, if not more. I believe Hansbrough will have a fruitful career and look forward to following him (not watching him though because the NBA is stupid.). Even if he does get picked late in the first round, that would be better for him because he will be playing on a good team and can probably step in right away.
Ty Lawson is who I thought would have been drafted first for the Heels, but I'm not sure anymore. His stock has dropped considerably so I'm not sure what to tell you He has been mentioned as a lottery pick or mid to upper 20’s pick. It’s hard to tell where he will land, but I do see him similar to the last North Carolina point guard drafted – Raymond Felton. Felton has been up and down it seems, but his learning curve is on the better end than it was last year, but Ty Lawson could be very similar in the fact that he is a back up or occasional starter to eventual full-time starter. I think Lawson is better than Felton because it seems Lawson’s shot is more accurate and Lawson can get in the lane any time (at least on the college level). Lawson’s ¾ court sprint time seemed slow, but he is still amazingly fast. I've read articles that say that Johnny Flynn is way better than Lawson, but there’s no way. Flynn is good and I have enjoyed watching him play, but he is no way better than Lawson. Flynn relies on the three too much and has way too many turnovers. I know the critics say they worry about Lawson's shot being released low, so he's easy to block, but it's hard to block shots when you're double teaming someone else.
Wayne Ellington is hard to figure out where he could land. His draft measurements were interesting (who would have known he has a higher vertical that his buddy Gerald Henderson? And where was it during the season? We want to see some slam-a-jamas!), but I don’t know where he is going to go. I’ve heard as high at late lottery and I hear that he may not be drafted until the second round. My guess is that he is a late first rounder – somewhere in the 20’s - which might be the best thing for him because he’s not a superstar, but can be a viable option of the bench or maybe as your fourth or fifth scorer. If he does go the Bulls, that could be a really good fit because Ben Gordon will probably be gone and Ellington can step in and take his place.
Danny Green is questionable to make a team, which I’m sorry to say. No way is he a first round pick. If we could compare him to a former Tar Heel, he would probably be like David Noel, who was a glue guy, but was drafted in the second round. Noel did play for the Bucks for awhile, but now I think he is in the D-League. Danny Green could follow the same course, but I think he stands a much better chance than Noel because Green is more versatile. Time will tell with Danny Green.
That's the information I have, so thanks for reading. Again, sorry it has been so long, but keep tuning in and I will make up for it.
Here's some info on where the Heels are projected at:
Tyler Hansbrough
Draft Express - #20 to the Jazz
NBA Draft.net - #20 to the Jazz
SI - #24 to the Blazers
Fox Sports - #20 to the Jazz
Ty Lawson
Draft Express - #17 to the 76ers
NBA Draft.net - #25 to the Thunder
SI - #14 to the Suns
Fox Sports -#25 to the Thunder
Wayne Ellington
Draft Express - #28 to the Timberwolves
NBA Draft.net - #19 to the Hawks
SI - #26 to the Bulls
Fox Sports - #19 to the Hawks
That's all I can get because I don't have ESPN Insider. Danny Green was not included because he is a second round pick and most sites don't project that deep. Here are my thoughts on these players and their future careers:
Tyler Hansbrough has been criticized by NBA people since the dawn of time. He is too slow, then not tall enough, not explosive, etc. Well here’s my opinion on him at the next level. At worst, he will be a rotation player. He has a high basketball IQ and can shoot, rebound, and defend. He’s not going to be buried on the bench. Best case scenario is that he becomes a Carlos Boozer. Yes, I did just mention a former Duke player, but when Boozer was drafted, I said adamantly he would amount to nothing because he was too short, not fast enough, etc. Well last time I checked, Boozer played on the Olympic team, makes more money than he should and has been an all-star at least once, if not more. I believe Hansbrough will have a fruitful career and look forward to following him (not watching him though because the NBA is stupid.). Even if he does get picked late in the first round, that would be better for him because he will be playing on a good team and can probably step in right away.
Ty Lawson is who I thought would have been drafted first for the Heels, but I'm not sure anymore. His stock has dropped considerably so I'm not sure what to tell you He has been mentioned as a lottery pick or mid to upper 20’s pick. It’s hard to tell where he will land, but I do see him similar to the last North Carolina point guard drafted – Raymond Felton. Felton has been up and down it seems, but his learning curve is on the better end than it was last year, but Ty Lawson could be very similar in the fact that he is a back up or occasional starter to eventual full-time starter. I think Lawson is better than Felton because it seems Lawson’s shot is more accurate and Lawson can get in the lane any time (at least on the college level). Lawson’s ¾ court sprint time seemed slow, but he is still amazingly fast. I've read articles that say that Johnny Flynn is way better than Lawson, but there’s no way. Flynn is good and I have enjoyed watching him play, but he is no way better than Lawson. Flynn relies on the three too much and has way too many turnovers. I know the critics say they worry about Lawson's shot being released low, so he's easy to block, but it's hard to block shots when you're double teaming someone else.
Wayne Ellington is hard to figure out where he could land. His draft measurements were interesting (who would have known he has a higher vertical that his buddy Gerald Henderson? And where was it during the season? We want to see some slam-a-jamas!), but I don’t know where he is going to go. I’ve heard as high at late lottery and I hear that he may not be drafted until the second round. My guess is that he is a late first rounder – somewhere in the 20’s - which might be the best thing for him because he’s not a superstar, but can be a viable option of the bench or maybe as your fourth or fifth scorer. If he does go the Bulls, that could be a really good fit because Ben Gordon will probably be gone and Ellington can step in and take his place.
Danny Green is questionable to make a team, which I’m sorry to say. No way is he a first round pick. If we could compare him to a former Tar Heel, he would probably be like David Noel, who was a glue guy, but was drafted in the second round. Noel did play for the Bucks for awhile, but now I think he is in the D-League. Danny Green could follow the same course, but I think he stands a much better chance than Noel because Green is more versatile. Time will tell with Danny Green.
That's the information I have, so thanks for reading. Again, sorry it has been so long, but keep tuning in and I will make up for it.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Wall could block Heels' march to all-time win mark
Read that title again. One player is single handedly going to stop UNC from eclipsing the all-time win record for college basketball. I’m sorry, but I respectfully disagree.
But that’s what Robbi Pickeral from the Charlotte Observer things. Now, I know the article is not just single handedly about John Wall and that other factors obviously play into this (like the fact that Kentucky now has a plethora of talent), but we’re talking about a lot of things that have to go Kentucky’s way this year.
I think this upcoming Kentucky team (I’m assuming Jodie Meeks is back, for the record) is comparable to the first UNC team that Roy Williams coached. That team had a lot of talent, but what did they do with it? Not much.
So Kentucky will be a team of talent, but what are they going to do with that talent? This team has to do the following in order to succeed: 1) Buy into the coaches system, 2) gel together as a team, 3) refrain from any controversy (like academic problems. Hello Memphis!) 4) stay healthy. I’m sure there are others, but those stick out right now.
Let’s take the first two. Buying into Calipari’s system. Think of the upperclassman on this Kentucky team, this is their third coach in 4 years. That’s a lot of different offenses and defenses and lingo to pick up from a coach. Now some of these players are going to be fine right away, but you’re going to have some head cases that are harmful to the team. One of the biggest reasons why that 03-04 UNC team struggled and played poorly was because they did not buy into Roy’s system. The next year they did and the rest is Championship history.
Now the second point: gelling. Patrick Patterson, Jodie Meeks, and John Wall all seem like big time players, but are there enough shots to go around? What happens when Wall comes down the court and shoots the ball 5 times in a row without giving Patterson a look? This team as talented as it may be will be young and won’t have played much together. That’s plain and simple fact.
Robbi Pickeral says in the article that Kentucky now has the talent to become a 30-win team, while North Carolina will probably be somewhere between 23-28. Both of those are realistic numbers, but let’s not declare Kentucky champs yet. They still have to play the game. Just like the talking heads were toying with the idea of North Carolina being undefeated this past year.
The point of this is that I am of the opinion that this race will be close all year. I don’t look at John Wall as being the superman who is single handedly going to keep UNC at #2. If North Carolina does pass Kentucky, it’s hard to envision more than being 3 or 4 wins ahead of them by the end of the year. It may not be this year, but North Carolina will pass Kentucky and that will be super cool. And when the two play head to head this upcoming year, I’m going to go ahead and give the nod to UNC. Then it will be three more to tie!
But that’s what Robbi Pickeral from the Charlotte Observer things. Now, I know the article is not just single handedly about John Wall and that other factors obviously play into this (like the fact that Kentucky now has a plethora of talent), but we’re talking about a lot of things that have to go Kentucky’s way this year.
I think this upcoming Kentucky team (I’m assuming Jodie Meeks is back, for the record) is comparable to the first UNC team that Roy Williams coached. That team had a lot of talent, but what did they do with it? Not much.
So Kentucky will be a team of talent, but what are they going to do with that talent? This team has to do the following in order to succeed: 1) Buy into the coaches system, 2) gel together as a team, 3) refrain from any controversy (like academic problems. Hello Memphis!) 4) stay healthy. I’m sure there are others, but those stick out right now.
Let’s take the first two. Buying into Calipari’s system. Think of the upperclassman on this Kentucky team, this is their third coach in 4 years. That’s a lot of different offenses and defenses and lingo to pick up from a coach. Now some of these players are going to be fine right away, but you’re going to have some head cases that are harmful to the team. One of the biggest reasons why that 03-04 UNC team struggled and played poorly was because they did not buy into Roy’s system. The next year they did and the rest is Championship history.
Now the second point: gelling. Patrick Patterson, Jodie Meeks, and John Wall all seem like big time players, but are there enough shots to go around? What happens when Wall comes down the court and shoots the ball 5 times in a row without giving Patterson a look? This team as talented as it may be will be young and won’t have played much together. That’s plain and simple fact.
Robbi Pickeral says in the article that Kentucky now has the talent to become a 30-win team, while North Carolina will probably be somewhere between 23-28. Both of those are realistic numbers, but let’s not declare Kentucky champs yet. They still have to play the game. Just like the talking heads were toying with the idea of North Carolina being undefeated this past year.
The point of this is that I am of the opinion that this race will be close all year. I don’t look at John Wall as being the superman who is single handedly going to keep UNC at #2. If North Carolina does pass Kentucky, it’s hard to envision more than being 3 or 4 wins ahead of them by the end of the year. It may not be this year, but North Carolina will pass Kentucky and that will be super cool. And when the two play head to head this upcoming year, I’m going to go ahead and give the nod to UNC. Then it will be three more to tie!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
