University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels In The NBA, April 2
April 2, 2014 | Men's Basketball
compiled by Ben Brown, GoHeels.com
Danny Green is becoming a multi-faceted player
After Danny Green set the basketball world on fire last year with his historic shooting display in the NBA Finals, the guard continued to work even harder in order to make himself a more complete player. As Michael Rehome writes, Green has tried to work on driving the lane and finishing at the rim.
Also, for your viewing pleasure, here is a video of the 23 three-pointers that Green hit to set the record for most three-pointers made in an NBA Finals series. This highlight reel is well worth the five minutes:
Kendall Marshall better off in L.A. than Phoenix
Los Angeles Lakers point guard Kendall Marshall was rarely used by the Phoenix Suns after the team made him the 13th pick of the 2012 NBA Draft. But after being traded to and eventually waived by the Washington Wizards at the beginning of the season, Marshall has found a home in Los Angeles where he has a better opportunity to develop.
Nuggets look for Lawson to be more aggressive
The Denver Nuggets have had a disappointing season this year, but one bright spot has been Ty Lawson. The shifty point guard is the heart and soul of the team and is by far the best and most important player. But over the last few games, Lawson hasn't performed at his usual rate, which prompted Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw to say that Lawson needs to be more aggressive.
Vince Carter leaves footprint on Canadian basketball
Some of the best years of Vince Carter's career came while he was a member of the Toronto Raptors, and consequently he became the role model of many Canadian basketball players who are currently making names for themselves in the college ranks. In Dan Wetzel's column he explores the impact that Carter had on Canadian basketball players:
Games to watch
Thursday night is loaded with former Tar Heels playing in huge games that will help shape the Western Conference playoff picture. First up in the nationally televised double-header on TNT when the San Antonio Spurs will face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The game will pit the two best teams in the West against one another in what could be a preview of the Western Conference Finals. Danny Green will have a key role defensively in keeping the explosive duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in check.
Then, after the conclusion of the Spurs-Thunder game, the Los Angeles Clippers will host the Dallas Mavericks. Vince Carter, Brandan Wright and Wayne Ellington will play key roles for the Mavericks in a critical game for Dallas as the team clings to a slim lead for the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs. The first game of the double-header will tip off at 8 p.m. ET with the second game set for 10:30 p.m. ET.
Statistics from Tar Heels
Harrison Barnes, Golden State SF - 9.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.5 apg
Reggie Bullock, Los Angeles Clippers SG - 3.0 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 0.2 apg
Vince Carter, Dallas SG - 12.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.7 apg
Ed Davis, Memphis PF - 5.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.7 bpg
Wayne Ellington, Dallas SG - 3.5 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.5 apg
Raymond Felton, New York PG - 9.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 5.8 apg
Danny Green, San Antonio SG - 8.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.5 apg
Tyler Hansbrough, Toronto PF - 4.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.3 bpg
John Henson, Milwaukee PF - 10.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.8 bpg
Antawn Jamison, Free Agent PF - 3.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.1 bpg
Ty Lawson, Denver PG - 17.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 8.8 apg
Kendall Marshall, Los Angeles Lakers PG - 8.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 8.9 apg
Marvin Williams, Utah PF - 9.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 0.5 bpg
Brandan Wright, Dallas PF - 9.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.0 bpg
Tyler Zeller, Cleveland C - 5.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 0.5 bpg
