University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels In The NBA, Nov. 6
November 6, 2013 | Men's Basketball
NOTE: This article originally appeared in the Nov. 5 issue of CAROLINA: The Magazine.
Compiled by Andrew Tie, GoHeels.com
Box Score of the week
Vince Carter continues to defy Father Time and turn back the clock on his career. Though he can't dunk over any 7-foot-2 French centers anymore, he still finds ways to be a valuable asset off the bench for the Mavericks.
In the first game of the season, Carter had 21 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal. He shot 9-16 from the field, 2-5 from 3 and 1-2 from the free throw line. Not bad numbers for a 36-year-old swingman off the bench.
Player of the week
Ty Lawson continues to put up big numbers and show off the ability that has made him of the top point guards in the NBA. In his first game of the year, Lawson put up 20 points, eight assists, five rebounds and two steals. He didn't shoot particularly well from the field (33.3 percent), but he did go 2-4 from long distance.
Lawson followed that up with another great showing. This time, he had 21 points, six assists, five rebounds and a steal on 43.8 percent shooting from the field. He also went 2-5 from three. Though it's early, he's putting up numbers well above his career averages right now, but he's got a lot more responsibility now with Andre Iguodala gone.
Player on the rise
John Henson was pretty much a player on the rise all of last season, but a congested frontcourt limited his playing time. In the offseason, the Bucks brought in Zaza Pachulia and got rid of Samuel Dalembert, so there's still a logjam up front.
Still, Henson has made the most out of his time on the floor. In three games, he has averaged 10.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals. He's 14-22 from the field, good for an amazing 63.6 FG percent. If he can continue to put up these numbers and increase his rebounds, which is low in a small sample size, it'll be hard for the Bucks to keep Henson off the floor.
Upcoming game to watch
On Wednesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers will take on the Milwaukee Bucks in a game that features former UNC big men Tyler Zeller and John Henson. Zeller is still working his way back from an appendectomy, so he's not quite 100 percent yet, but these two formed one of the best frontlines UNC's seen in the last decade.
Friday night will see the Golden State Warriors travel to San Antonio to take on the reigning Western Conference champions. Warriors SF Harrison Barnes is still nursing a foot injury but may be able to suit up for this game. This game will already be a great game for basketball fans, but from the UNC perspective, it would be great to see both Barnes and Spurs guard Danny Green, who we last saw making three after three in the NBA Finals, in the same game.
Statistics from Tar Heels
Reggie Bullock, Los Angeles Clippers SG - 1 ppg
Vince Carter, Dallas SG - 12.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.67 apg
Ed Davis, Memphis PF - 2.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.3 bpg
Wayne Ellington, Dallas SG - 5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1 apg
Raymond Felton, New York PG - 13 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 7 apg
Danny Green, San Antonio SG - 3.3 ppg, 0.7 apg, 1 rpg
Tyler Hansbrough, Toronto PF - 6 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.3 bpg
John Henson, Milwaukee PF - 10.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.3 bpg
Ty Lawson, Denver PG - 20.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 7 apg
Tyler Zeller, Cleveland C - 2 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.3 bpg
