University of North Carolina Athletics
Lucas: Tar Heels In Training Camps
September 30, 2014 | Men's Basketball, Featured Writers, Adam Lucas
A complete look around the NBA at a story line for every Tar Heel in an NBA training camp (most of which open today) this fall:
Harrison Barnes, Golden State: Barnes didn't have quite the season some expected of him last year, but it looks like a head coaching change in Golden State could be good for him. New head coach Steve Kerr says he is "a big fan of Harrison's," and a starting role might be in the future.
Reggie Bullock, Los Angeles Clippers: This is a big year for Bullock, who was hampered by an injury and essentially fell out of sight last season. He might get the chance to earn some early playing time.
Vince Carter, Memphis: Carter is no longer the same high flyer he once was, but he's going to play an important role for the Grizzlies, likely coming off the bench.
Ed Davis, Los Angeles Lakers: There's a fairly wide gap in the scenarios for new Laker acquisition Davis. He could fade off the end of the bench, or he could turn out to be a key rebuilding piece. The most likely role: first big man off the bench.
Wayne Ellington, Los Angeles Lakers: Ellington now joins another Philadelphia product, Kobe Bryant, on the Los Angeles roster. It's an interesting comparison. Ellington's contract is partially guaranteed, and the Lakers already have 13 players on the roster, but Ellington's outside shooting ability means he has a chance to earn a spot.
Raymond Felton, Dallas: Like a couple other Tar Heels, Felton will be in a training camp battle to earn minutes. The Mavericks have plenty of point guards, but it does seem like the 2005 national champion fits the Dallas offense well. The best news, though, after a rocky tenure in New York, is that Felton has a clean slate with the Mavs. His new outlook means that if he doesn't start, Felton believes he can handle it.
Danny Green, San Antonio: Green has found a home with the world champion Spurs, and he enters the final year of his three-year contract firmly entrenched in the rotation. This is a great look at how far the North Babylon native has come. He's also going back to his familiar jersey No. 14 this year.
P.J. Hairston, Charlotte: It's been a bit of a rocky summer for Hairston, but there's no question that he fills a need for outside shooting for the Hornets.
Tyler Hansbrough, Toronto: The former National Player of the Year has evolved into a more emotional role with Toronto. He'll have to share power forward minutes with two other players.
Brendan Haywood, Cleveland Cavaliers: The seven-footer missed all of last season with a foot injury, but he's healthy again and has been impressive in the early going with Cleveland. But if he's healthy, where will he play? There's some talk Cleveland might be interested in trading him.
John Henson, Milwaukee: How did the Milwaukee Bucks, of all teams, somehow become potentially the most fun team to watch in the NBA from a Carolina perspective? It's because Henson is now reunited with Kendall Marshall, who found the big man for hundreds of assists in Chapel Hill. While Marshall is battling for playing time, it looks like Henson is going to see plenty of minutes, especially with the coaching change in Milwaukee. Henson could be the starting center on opening night.
Ty Lawson, Denver:
Kendall Marshall, Milwaukee: It's goign to be fascinating to watch the relationship between Marshall and new Milwaukee head coach Jason Kidd. Marshall is facing a logjam (there are four point guards on the roster) in the Bucks backcourt, but there are some observers with high expectations for him this season (scroll down).
James Michael McAdoo, Golden State: After going undrafted, McAdoo signed a one-year contract for the minimum with the Warriors. However, that doesn't mean he's guaranteed to make the team, and Golden State already has 13 players with guaranteed money for this season--and only 13 players can dress. With some intense competition for roster spots, new coach Steve Kerr is looking for players who show maturity, which is a McAdoo strong suit.
Marvin Williams, Charlotte: Not much drama in what was thought to be a battle for a starting spot, as Hornets head coach Steve Clifford announced Monday that Williams will start at power forward. Charlotte is planning to use Williams as a stretch four.
Brandan Wright, Dallas:
Tyler Zeller, Boston Celtics: Now here's a promising pairing, as a trade sends Zeller to Boston, where he'll play under former Butler coach Brad Stevens. Zeller wants to win Boston's starting center job, and Stevens sounds excited about coaching Zeller. There's an expectation that the big man will be a major help to the Celtics offense this season.
