University of North Carolina Athletics
Lucas: NBA Storylines
October 31, 2014 | Men's Basketball, Featured Writers, Adam Lucas
Here's a storyline to watch for each of the Tar Heels in the NBA this year...
Harrison Barnes, Golden State: New Warriors coach Steve Kerr is a longtime Barnes fan, and moved the third-year pro into the starting lineup in the season opener in place of Andre Iguodala, who has moved into a sixth man role. The Warriors exercised their fourth-year option on Barnes this week. One of his preseason highlights was a return to Iowa for a preseason game:
Reggie Bullock, LA Clippers: The second-year pro had multiple injuries to deal with during his rookie season, and looks at this year as a do-over of his rookie year. Bullock just had his third-year option picked up by the Clippers, and he's hoping to sneak into the rotation.
Vince Carter, Memphis: Carter is in a good spot in Memphis, where he's playing the wise veteran role while also still being one of the best players on the roster. The key question for the now 37-year-old: is he going to start or come off the bench? His perimeter play will be important for the Grizzlies.
Ed Davis, LA Lakers: Mitch Kupchak's signing of Davis this summer didn't get much attention, but Davis now has a chance for a big year because of the season-ending injury to Julius Randle. He's going to get a much bigger chance than he received in Memphis, and now he'll have a chance to show if he can translate the per-minute efficiency he's shown in limited minutes to a larger role.
Wayne Ellington, LA Lakers: Ellington had to deal with a preseason concussion, but he recovered in time to score 13 points in his season debut on Wednesday. The Lakers don't appear to be very good this year, but Ellington was an early bright spot.
Raymond Felton, Dallas: Felton was eager for a fresh start in Dallas, but is having trouble getting that fresh start started. A high ankle sprain in the preseason had him on the shelf when the season began. It looks like he's at least a week from returning, and when he's healthy, he'll have to serve his four-game suspension for off-court issues.
Danny Green, San Antonio: Green started the year exactly like he finished it--by knocking down his three-pointers. He had 13 points, including three three-pointers, in the win over Dallas.
P.J. Hairston, Charlotte: The rookie didn't get off the bench in Charlotte's season-opening win, but he knows his time will come. The Hornets need three-point shooting and Hairston can shoot. There's a good chance he finds a niche before the season is over.
Tyler Hansbrough, Toronto: The Raptors opened the season with a win over the Hawks, and optimism is high. Observers think Hansbrough might be part of a Toronto bench that is the best in the franchise's history. In this piece, he's called a revelation in training camp--it's a very good story with some on- and off-court insight into Hansbrough.
Brendan Haywood, Cleveland: Most importantly, Haywood is back healthy again after missing all of last season with a foot injury. He's dealt with some soreness in the preseason but otherwise is available.
John Henson, Milwaukee: It looks like the Bucks plan to use Jabari Parker primarily at power forward, which will affect Henson's minutes. He played just 12 minutes in the opener against Charlotte, scoring five points. He does appear to have a second career hosting Bucks' videos (and Kendall Marshall has a cameo):
Ty Lawson, Denver: A sore hamstring slowed Lawson at the end of the preseason, and he didn't look full speed in the opener against Detroit. Never one to be predictable, Lawson recently did an AMA on Reddit. He's on Slam's list of the top 50 players in the NBA.
Kendall Marshall, Milwaukee: Like Hairston, Marshall didn't play in the season opener in Charlotte. But he's already had good news, as the Bucks guaranteed his contract for this year despite a somewhat crowded backcourt. Milwaukee is back on the court tonight in the home opener.
Marvin Williams, Charlotte: Great debut for Marvin with Charlotte, as he had 19 points and was the X-factor in the Hornets' comeback win. Charlotte is counting on Williams for three-point shooting. If he's consistent, that lessens their need for Hairston. If he goes through a slump, P.J. might find himself with a chance.
Brandan Wright, Dallas: One of the most sneakily productive Tar Heels in the NBA had a good debut, contributing six points and five rebounds in the opener and following it with 14 points last night in a win over Utah. Wright is part of a solid Mavericks bench that should be a nice problem for coach Rick Carlisle.
Tyler Zeller, Boston: The Celtics seem to like Zeller (coach Brad Stevens came out and said he should've played Zeller more this week) and the team recently picked up his fourth-year option. He'll get a test in the near future, as he'll occasionally draw the defensive assignment on Dwight Howard. This seems like a play Boston fans might see a lot more of this season:
