Thrown Away to Worthy

Welcome Back Charlotte Hornets!

The news broke last night that the wheels are in motion for the Bobcats to change their name to the Hornets. This comes as no surprise to anybody. Once New Orleans changed its name to the Pelicans, it just made too much sense.

For just $3 million, Michael Jordan could get a fresh start. He could bury the stigma that comes with the Bobcats name and the jokes that come with it. Gone are the legacies of Bob Johnson, Sam Vincent and Adam Morrison.

The memories of Larry Johnson, Muggsy Bogues, Alonzo Mourning, Dell Curry, Glen Rice, Eddie Jones, Jamal Mashburn and Baron Davis never faded in Charlotte, but now they will be tangibly represented on the court at Time Warner Cable Arena. It might not be the same franchise, but the connection will be there.

On a personal note, my childhood in many ways was defined by the Hornets. Going to games early with my buddy Townes to get autographs (I probably have 50-plus PJ Brown and Baron Davis signatures), sitting with my dad and friends in section 130, row N, seats 1-4 for seemingly every weekend game and listening to Bob Licht on WBT 1110 AM as I fell asleep are cherished memories.

The new Hornets are unlikely to create the same bond as the original version, but when Hugo leads the team out of the tunnel in the fall of 2014 or 2015, I will be there, welcoming a long lost friend home.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love the Bobcats. I will support the new Hornets as much as did the Bobcats. The “Charlotte” portion of the name is what matters most to me.

Also, the team is still the same. Just because the players on the court will don “Hornets” on their chest instead of “Bobcats” does not change the fact that the team won just 28 games over the past two seasons. However, what the name change does is hopefully usher in a new era.

With a boatload of cap space and potentially four first round draft picks over the next two drafts, the Horncats are in position to add to the nucleus of Kemba Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Bismack Biyombo and Gerald Henderson should Charlotte choose to resign him this offseason.

The rebuilding process began over two years ago. The Bobnets slowly acquired assets and the time to turn the corner is almost here. No better time to rebrand than now. It’s a fresh start in the middle of a difficult process that will hopefully bridge the gap between the start of rebuilding to the results of rebuilding.

In the end, a name is just a name. It doesn’t guarantee wins, it doesn’t guarantee better players and it doesn’t guarantee folks will buy tickets. I hope and trust that those who vehemently called for the name change will back it up with support, win or lose, because there will be a couple more seasons of losing before things get better.

For now, this generates excitement about the NBA in Charlotte for the first the Bobcats made the playoffs in 2010. The city that once sold out every game for nearly a decade once again has its team back. The agonizing over draft picks, free agents, wins and losses will come. For now, enjoy the moment and embrace the nostalgia. Welcome back Hornets!

Go Heels Go America!

So, About This Andrew Wiggins Guy…

I hope that in the near future, the very near future, I will get the chance to write a post begging a portion of Carolina fans not to treat Andrew Wiggins the way they did Harrison Barnes.

You know what I am talking about. The nations top recruit (although Barnes was not the consensus No. 1 player like Wiggins is) arrives in Chapel Hill with great celebration and expectations created somewhat by the player, but mainly by the fans who expect 17 and 18 year olds to be the best player in the world not named LeBron James.

I’m not talking about over the course of a season. Some fans expect greatness from the opening tip of the season. Leading the Tar Heels in scoring in back-to-back seasons while making numerous game winning shots, scoring 40 points in an ACC Tournament game and being an ideal representative of the school off the court is not enough.

Despite my passionate disdain for the way some fans treated Barnes, I understand the majority of Carolina supporters appreciated the Black Falcon. Still, I would LOVE to write a scathing warning to fans to be thankful that Wiggins chose UNC and to enjoy his short career in Carolina blue.

On Tuesday, I will find out if I get to write that post.

Wiggins is scheduled to sign with a school around 12:15 p.m. with family, close friends and just one media member present. Unless you live under a rock, or simply don’t follow basketball recruiting closely, which is perfectly normal and probably better for your blood pressure, then you know Wiggins is choosing from North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State and Kansas.

Nobody, at least as of the moment I am writing this, has a clue which school Wiggins will choose. If they say they do, they’re lying and simply guessing. If somebody happens to guess his destination correctly and then parades around saying “I told you so” then I give you my permission to smack them right across the face.

Because everybody else feels inclined to do the same, why don’t I give my best guess as to where Wiggins will play his lone season of college basketball. Hooray peer pressure and being a follower! Again, this is a complete guess and there is no evidence whatsoever that my guess is remotely true. It’s all just words on the Internet.

I think Wiggins will choose Florida State.

Why? Well, I’m not really sure. Just a gut feeling. Based on everything I have read (or not read) about Wiggins I’ve deduced that he is not one to hunt the spotlight. Hence, the lack of any formal announcement on Tuesday, a rarity for a player of his stature. Of the three schools, the spotlight will shine dimmest on Florida State.

I think Wiggins truly struggled making this decision. Each school would be a good fit for him for different reasons and I’m sure he would be perfectly happy playing at any of them. However, Florida State is the original and the one that has been there all along. Both his parents were Seminoles and ultimately I believe Andrew will go where he and the people close to him are most comfortable.

I don’t know, that’s just my personal guess. He might go to Kentucky because he wants to play on the biggest stage in college basketball with an insane collection of talent. He could go to Kansas because he hopes to replicate Ben McLemore’s success this past season. He might sign with UNC because he feels he fits perfectly in Roy Williams’ system and can fill the void left by Reggie Bullock.

I don’t know, but that’s my best shot at it.

Hopefully I get to write that post later this week. If not, best of luck to Andrew wherever he goes. He seems like a humble and respectful kid that just wants to live like a normal 17-year old kid.

The challenge for me is to keep that attitude if he signs with Kentucky.

By the way, if Wiggins does not pick the Heels, basketball will still be played next season and North Carolina will still have a team. A pretty damn good one at that.

Go Heels Go America!

Rookie Camp an Excuse to Talk Panthers Draft

Graduate school is no joke. I am busier than I was in the working world and obviously busier than I was in undergrad at Chapel Hill. At least busier in terms of activity that doesn’t involve beer. DRINKING!!!! COLLEGE!!!!!

Because I seemingly spend all day in the Northwestern newsroom in downtown Chicago, I was unable to put together a timely post in regards to the Panthers draft a couple weeks ago.

I am typically a nice guy, but I’m not going to apologize for my lack of post. I find it pointless to analyze, rate or grade a draft before any of the players have ever stepped foot on the field. Sorry I’m not sorry.

I’m sure plenty of draft-heads said Oakland made a great pick when they chose JaMarcus Russell No. 1 overall in 2007. I’m sure plenty of people said Tom Brady was a wasted selection by New England when the Patriots selected him with the 199th pick in 2000.

My point is nobody knows what is a good draft or what is a bad draft until the players actually strap up and play one, two or three seasons. So as of today, each team’s draft is pretty damn good.

All this being said, I was ecstatic with the Panthers first round selection of defensive tackle Star Lotulelei. I have been chirping for years that the Panthers need a big, mean, run-stuffing body in the middle of the line. Not since Kris Jenkins have the Panthers had such a player. They do now.

The Panthers tried to solidify the defensive line via the draft a couple of years ago with Terrell McClain and Sione Fua. That hasn’t worked out so well. McClain was cut last year and Fua is inconsistent.

To be fair, those two guys are not on the level of Star or even second round pick Kawann Short. With any luck, Star and Short should provide the Panthers an inside 1-2 punch with Star the big run stuffer and Short more of a pass rusher. Their potential combined with the proven ability of Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy on the outside and Luke Kuechly at linebacker could give the Panthers one of the better front sevens in the NFC for years to come. We shall see.

While the defense could be set up front, the secondary is a mystery. And that is not a good thing. The main questions are who replaces the retired Chris Gamble and who starts alongside Charles Godfrey at safety. Lord knows the Panthers have to improve there. Haruki Nakamura isn’t going to cut it.

Carolina drafted no secondary players last week. This surprised a lot of people. However, if you cannot get to the quarterback up front, it doesn’t matter how good the secondary is. You could have Ronnie Lott, Deion Sanders and Richard Sherman back there. It wouldn’t matter. Quarterbacks and receivers always have the advantage if given time. That is the idea behind bolstering the defensive line. It worked for GM Dave Gettleman when he was with the Giants. Might as well give it a shot in Charlotte.

In addition to the defensive line, I think Kenjon Barner adds a potential playmaker to the special teams and offense. Barner will immediately compete with Ted Ginn for kick and punt returning duties and over time could be the heir to DeAngelo Williams. Barner has incredible speed and the read option with him and Cam could be a problem for other teams.

In the end, I am excited about the players the Panthers drafted. Then again, I am always excited after the draft is over. Who knows how these guys will work out? There is no point in judging the draft at this point. Just wait, watch and hope for the best.

Go Heels Go America!

The 2012-13 Bobcats: A success by their standards

I will happily fight anybody who says the NBA playoffs are not freaking awesome! You might hold the opinion that the NBA is just a one-on-one game contested by prima donnas who refuse to play defense. Not only is this completely misguided, but I’d argue professional postseason basketball is possibly the best competitive display of amazing athleticism in the sporting world.

In a word, the NBA playoffs are badass.

While I love the playoffs, I love my Charlotte Bobcats even more. They are not playing in the playoffs. Just barely missed the final spot this year by 20 or so games.

Believe it or not, the Bobcats did make the playoffs in 2010. That is the last time any professional sports franchise in the state of North Carolina qualified for the postseason, which begs the question of what the hell have I been writing about on TATW for the past couple of years?

For the Bobcats, it has been about the “process” and “plan” detailed by Michael Jordan and Rich Cho when they took the reins a few years back. Jordan wasn’t satisfied with being an 8 or 7-seed and getting swept in the first round of the playoffs. Being the competitor he is, he wanted to contend for titles.

Unfortunately, this is easier said than done, especially for a small market team like Charlotte. You must start from scratch and build through the draft, because big name free agents in a star-driven NBA aren’t likely to choose Charlotte. It’s all about promoting individual players in huge markets. Therefore teams like the Cats, Kings, Grizzlies, Timberwolves and others must build through the draft and sign key mid-leve free agents with cap space.

The Bobcats just completed year two of their rebuilding process. From the start, I (and most sane folks) knew it was a 3-5 year process. Anybody expecting the Bobcats to make a run in the playoffs this year literally have no clue how the NBA works. It doesn’t happen overnight for a team like Charlotte. This ain’t Los Angeles, Miami or New York. We got to suck it up and deal with A LOT of dumpy seasons if we want to be successful. Look at Oklahoma City. They were the worst team in the NBA, like the Bobcats, before they began their ascent.

Charlotte managed to avoid the worst record in the NBA this season by winning its final three games to finish at 21-61, one game ahead of the Orlando Magic. The 21 wins is triple the amount as the year prior. Kemba Walker, Gerald Henderson and Bismack Biyombo all showed tremendous growth as well. The average age of the Bobcats starting lineup was younger than that of the Miami Hurricanes this season. Chew on that.

The process is likely to stretch closer to the 5-year range because of the quality of players in the past two drafts. The Bobcats have done their job by picking solid players, but there simply have been no franchise-changers to come out in recent years. Anthony Davis might be one, but Charlotte got screwed out of the first pick in NBA Lottery last year and the Hornets got Davis instead.

Kemba, Biyombo, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and whoever Charlotte drafts this season are either good players or will be good players down the road. However, none of them alone can put the team on their back.

Despite the lack of a star, Charlotte showed tremendous progress this season. Kemba, in my opinion was the most improved player in the league and Biyombo has grown by leaps and bounds in two years. Keep in mind he is still one of the 10 youngest players in the league. MKG is actually the youngest.

Even with the significant increase in wins and the growth of individual players, first year head coach Mike Dunlap was fired. I know the players were not big fans of Dunlap and he couldn’t coach defense for shit, but it was still surprising. It’s not like Dunlap was vital to the future of the Bobcats though. Simply hire another coach who also specializes in player development and keep on keeping on.

When you take a step back and take a look at the long term process, this season was a success for Charlotte. They were vastly improved and actually competitive, they found which players can contribute in the future, they did not frivolously spend money on expensive free agents and they still get a top-5 draft pick. All good things and everything appears to be moving in the right direction.

Going forward, the Bobcats will draft a player this year that hopefully will be a central part of the teams core for years to come. Nerlens Noel, Ben McLemore, Anthony Bennett, whoever. The following year, entering the fourth year of the process, Charlotte will likely have three first round picks in what many are already calling the best draft in years. Combine that with the stacks of cash available for the Bobcats to pursue free agents such as Al Jefferson and it looks like years four and five are when Charlotte should begin a significant rise in the standings.

Of course, this all assumes shit doesn’t hit the fan and Cho stays aboard, Kevin Durant doesn’t express his hidden desire to bring a championship to Charlotte and the Bobcats don’t up and bounce to Seattle. With the Bobcats, you never know, but so far so good. Yes, 21-61 is good.

Go Heels Go America!

Better Late Than Never NFL Draft Preview

Tonight is the NFL Draft. For my money the draft is the most overblown event in all of sports. It’s still better than any baseball game, but the draft remains “maybe I’ll watch if I’m free” television.

The NFL Draft is exciting if you watch it live. However, it is just as exciting to follow along on Twitter. The only benefit of television is you get to check out the ridiculous “suits” the draftees are wearing on stage. Other than that, all that matters is who the teams draft.

I do not need to listen to Mel Kiper Jr. tell me who is good based on what college coaches he is buddy-buddy with and I do not need Jon Gruden tell me every player will be a star. I just want to know who gets drafted where.

Therefore, getting right to the point, here is what I think are the Panthers biggest needs and who the Panthers might draft to fill those needs.

Carolina has four obvious needs: Defensive tackle, safety, wide receiver and offensive tackle.

Dwan Edwards resigned with the Panthers, but he is more of a rush tackle than a run stopper. The loss of Ron Edwards makes it vital that the Panthers find someone who can take the pressure off Dwan as well as ends Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson. Plus, it’d be nice to stuff the run at the line and leave the stellar linebacking core to make plays.

The best tackle prospects are Sharrif Floyd out of Florida, Star Lotulelei out of Utah. If either of them are available at No. 14, the Panthers jump on them immediately. However, it is doubtful either is still around.

The more likely option, and my prediction for the Panthers, is Sheldon Richardson out of Missouri. The 6-foot-2, 294-pound RIchardson has stacks on stacks of talent, but people wonder about his motor. I hate that criticism because it seems like a copout. I’d be perfectly content with a defensive tackle considering I was disappointed when the Panthers drafted linebacker Luke Kuechly instead in the first round last year. Boy was I wrong about that.

Before you ask, I would be happy to see former Tar Heel DT Sylvester Williams in a Panthers uniform. Unfortunately I think No. 14 is slightly too high. If Carolina goes in a different direction in round one, Sly would be ideal if he happened to fall to the mid-second round. Very doubtful though.

At safety, Kenny Vaccaro out of Texas is the obvious choice. Behind Shelton, I think he is the most likely pick for the Panthers. The Panthers secondary is, to be fair, a joke. Vaccaro would start immediately and help sure up a secondary that couldn’t stop me from driving down the field late in the fourth quarter.

Keep an eye on Matt Elam out of Florida as well. There are rumors teams are looking to move up to pick Vaccaro, so maybe the Panthers can trade back a few spots and grab Elam.

Steve Smith is still a Pro Bowl caliber player. However he is not getting younger and it appears Brandon LaFell will be nothing more than a solid No. 2 option during his career. A good player, but not a dominant threat. Tavon Austin, the speedster out of West Virginia, is probably the premiere offensive playmaker in the draft. The small, but lightning quick Austin would be an ideal understudy to Smith. I would not object to this pick, but am not sure Austin will be around at No. 14 and not sure if the Panthers would go in that direction either.

The reason the Panthers might pass on Austin is because of the wide receiver talent that will be available later in the draft. DeAndre Hopkins, Keenan Allen, Cordarrelle Patterson, Robert Woods and Justin Hunter all ooze potential. Some will be gone by the time Carolina picks in the second round. Some will be available. I will be happy with any.

Offensive tackle is a need, but not a pressing need. This might be Jordan Gross’s final year with the team and Byron Bell isn’t exactly a rock on the other side. Pick up a tackle in the mid-rounds that can eventually be developed into a starter. It’s the most important position on the offensive line.

As for the Tar Heels, I see five former Heels being drafted, adding to North Carolina’s rapidly growing presence in the NFL. Jonathan Cooper is a certain first round pick, possibly as high as the top-10 but likely between 10 and 20.

Sly Williams is a late first round to second round pick with Gio Bernard and Kevin Reddick likely to be drafted anywhere from the third to fifth rounds. I also see offensive tackle Brennan Williams’ name being called later in the draft. Panthers maybe? I am cheering for fellow tackle Travis Bond to be drafted as well, but that is not a sure thing.

With no clear cut star in tonights draft there could be a lot of wheeling and dealing for current and future picks. However, all that anybody cares about is who goes where. Wish we could fast forward through all the previews and build up garbage.

Go Heels Go America!

NFL Schedule Release Provides Needed Distraction From Real World

Pardon my French, but what a shitty week it has been. The tragic events in Boston, West, Texas and Cambridge, Mass. are all reminders of how unpredictable life can be.

Hug somebody today. Be nice to people. It’s not worth it not to.

What this week also reminds us is that sports are so far down the pecking order of important things in life. Now if only I could remember that when the Bobcats get jobbed in the NBA Draft lottery in a few weeks.

Sports can also serve as a distraction to the stress and difficulty of real life. You’d go crazy following coverage of the marathon bombings 24-7. Sports are a relaxing break. Suddenly watching the Bobcats is not as humiliating and painful as you thought.

Such a distraction was provided Thursday evening with the release of the NFL schedule. All of the opponents and locations of the games were already known. However, the dates and times were revealed Thursday. Funny that the release of a portion the NFL schedule trumps anything else in the sports world. NFL is just pure domination.

I’m sure everybody will be disappointed to know I am not going to discuss the Kansas City Chiefs or Jacksonville Jaguars schedules. Instead I’ll talk about the Carolina Panthers. Who woulda thunk it?

In true Groundhog Day fashion, the Panthers once again have the hardest schedule in the NFL in terms of the previous seasons winning percentage. It’s actually for the second time in three years, but Carolina had one of the more difficult paths in the league last season as well.

The Panthers play six playoff teams from this past season, including everybody’s beloved New England Patriots on November 18 in Charlotte on Monday Night Football.

Woohoo, the Cats get to be “that other team” that plays the Patriots in primetime. I can hear it now: “Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Bill Belichick and the Pats play on Monday Night Football tonight. Who will they play? Who cares, but find out if you tune in to ESPN at 9 p.m. on Monday.”

The Vikings, Patriots and 49ers will all be coming off bye weeks before facing the Panthers. Good thing for those teams, because Brady and Kaepernick will need all the extra time they can muster to figure out that Panthers vaunted secondary.

It’s hard to say the Panthers got screwed with their schedule. All of the opponents save for two are set years ahead of time. The other two are teams that finish in the same spot as the Panthers in another division. Carolina finished second in the NFC South. That is why the second-place Giants and second-place Vikings are on the 2013 schedule.

Strangely, the Panthers do not play a division foe until week 8 on Oct. 24 when they travel to Tampa Bay for a Thursday night game. Four of the final five games are against NFC South rivals, including two games against the Saints in 15 days. The division champion should be decided late in the season even if the Panthers do the unthinkable and manage not to be 12-0 heading into the final stretch.

The schedule is obviously difficult. However with great challenge can come great greatness?!?! That’s my failed attempt at a Chinese proverb for the night. The point is if the Panthers want to make that next step and make it to the postseason, they might as well do it against the best. Would I prefer to play the Chiefs, Jaguars and Raiders every other week? Absolutely, but I’m not too picky. I just want to see some football!

If you dare, venture back into the real world. It’s scary out there.

Literally during the time I typed this Thursday night, reports of of the manhunt in Watertown, Mass. came out. Geez, man. It’s hard to comprehend all of this.

Now, go give the person closest to you a hug. I don’t care if it is Coach K, Lee Melchionni or that creepy coworker who smells bad. Call your family and tell them you love them.

Stay safe everybody!

Go Heels Go America

So Far, So Good For David Gettleman

I was hoping to have more definitive answers about the future of North Carolina basketball by now, but since there has been no official announcement by P.J. Hairston, James Michael McAdoo, Reggie Bullock or Andrew Wiggins, there seems no point to discussing what the 2013-14 Tar Heels could look like.

Instead it feels like a perfect time to talk about base…err… FOOTBALL!!!

That’s right. With the possible exception of a College World Series run by the No. 1 Diamond Heels or if the entire rest of the NBA quits, leaving the Bobcats needing to play an intra-squad scrimmage to decide an NBA champion, nothing on the field or court matters between now and when football commences this fall. Sure, there is the NFL and NBA Draft, but as far as competitive athletics, baseball is inferior to everything football.

This includes breaking down the Panthers offseason thus far.

In his first offseason as General Manager Dave Gettleman has impressed me and who better to impress than me? He faced a dire salary cap situation and many thought it would be impossible for the Panthers to keep most of their free agents much less add any difference makers to the roster.

However, with the draft less than a month away, Gettleman somehow managed to sacrifice minimal parts while keeping vital pieces aboard and adding playmaking to a Panthers team on the cusp of breaking through.

The whole world knew the Panthers would have to cut a few players to get below the salary cap. Oft-injured, but effective defensive starters Chris Gamble and Ron Edwards were released. Gamble retired soon thereafter.

It was sad to see Gamble go. He was drafted by the organization and has arguably been the best cornerback in franchise history. While nobody wants to see a guys career come to an end, I am happy he joins the likes of Mike Minter and Mike Rucker as lifelong Panthers. Thanks for the memories Chris!

The Panthers also released longtime linebacker James Anderson. One year ago this would have been a huge blow to the defense. However, with the emergence budding superstar Luke Kuechly to go along with a bionically repaired Thomas Davis the Panthers could afford to let go of Anderson. If Jon Beason is able to return from injury, the Panthers could arguably start the best linebacker trio in the league.

It’s never good to see players the caliber of Edwards, Gamble and Anderson go, but remarkably those were the only significant losses for the Panthers.

Many, including yours truly, thought one of DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart had played their last game in a Panthers uniform. However, barring a trade, both appear to be coming back. Same goes for Beason and Jordan Gross. Their huge contracts were seen as potential cap casualties but both are still on the roster and look to be key contributors this fall.

Gross, who is incredibly loyal to Jerry Richardson and the Panthers, restructured his deal to take less money this season and free up space so the Panthers could get below the cap. The restructuring might make 2013-14 his last season as a Panther, but Gross will be damned if he doesn’t do everything in his power make one more run.

Thanks to Gross and the three cuts, Carolina not only was below the salary cap, but also had room to sign additional players.

The Panthers were able to resign backup quarterback Derek Anderson, a key piece in Cam Newton’s development, who was believed to be headed back to Cleveland with Rob Chudzinski.

Ex-49er speedster Ted Ginn Jr. signed a one-year deal with the Panthers, giving Carolina its first legitimate punt returner since a young Steve Smith over a decade ago. He immediately adds speed and experience to what was an abysmal return unit last season.

Carolina also agreed to a one-year deal with former Giants wide receiver Dominik Hixon. Don’t expect Hixon to put up huge numbers in 2013, but what he will do is provide Newton a reliable third option at receiver behind Smith and Brandon LaFell. Louis Murphy signed with the Giants this offseason. I expect the Panthers to add even more weapons at the wide receiver position in the draft.

Chase Blackburn, a linebacker for the Giants the past eight seasons, agreed to a two-year deal. Not only does he help out with the loss of Anderson, but Blackburn should help out on special teams coverage units, which is seemingly a bugaboo for Carolina every year. Blackburn started 15 games for the Giants last season.

Finally, and most importantly, the Panthers reached deals with three of its own free agents. Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and defensive tackle Dwan Edwards signed one-year deals while tight end Ben Hartsock signed a two-year deal.

Hartsock adds much needed depth behind Greg Olsen and is a far superior run blocker.

Munnerlyn might not have many fans, but the Panthers desperately needed some sort of experience at cornerback with the retirement of Gamble. Without Munnerlyn the Panthers would be looking at second-year player Josh Norman as the most experience corner on the roster not named Drayton Florence, who the Panthers signed from the Lions.

Edwards was the biggest signing of the offseason. He is a vital cog on the defensive line, freeing up Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson for sacks as well as Kuechly for tackles up and down the line. He also made plays himself. Edwards recorded six sacks last year, the third most for a tackle in the NFL. Most did not think resigning Edwards was a possibility for Carolina after his play last season.

What makes these signings even better is that they are either one or two year deals. They do not tie up money down the road when Carolina will be trying to lock up other big money players including some guy named Cam. It also gives them as well as head coach Ron Rivera a one year tryout for Gettleman. He’s sending a message that if you do not perform in this, your one guaranteed year, you won’t be back.

All of this before the draft!

Stand and cheer for the Panthers! In their grand ole name! Nothin’ could be finer than to be in Carolina for a Panthers football game!

Go Heels Go America!

Photos courtesy of AP and Getty

McDonald’s All-American Game Stuff

I have the good fortune to cover the McDonald’s All-American Game in Chicago tonight for Inside Carolina. Once again, I am grateful to IC for giving me this opportunity even though I have been off the payroll since I arrived at Northwestern.

Unless you happen to be J.R. Smith, the game itself tends to be worthless. Smith was committed to UNC and seemed destined to enroll until he scored 25 and was named MVP of the 2004 McDonald’s All-American Game. He elected to skip college and was drafted 18th by the New Orleans (vomit #1) Hornets.

However, since the NBA established the “one year out of high school” rule, the game has become even more of a shooting, dribbling and dunking exhibition with little actual basketball value. Hell, James Michael McAdoo was dropping three’s when he won MVP a couple years ago.

Nonetheless, this is the first time many fans get to see future college stars on the court against quality competition so there is excitement. North Carolina has two commits playing in the game tonight. Kennedy Meeks, a pleasantly plump 6-foot-10 big man from West Charlotte High School, and Isaiah Hicks, an athletic 6-foot-8 forward from Oxford (N.C.) Webb High School, will both suit up for the East squad.

Side note: Shout out to coach Freddy Johnson of Greensboro Day. Coach Johnson will coach the East team tonight and it is awesome to see such a successful coach be rewarded with this unique opportunity. North Carolina private schools stand up!

Don’t expect much from Meeks and Hicks in this game. Big men typically are not much of a factor unless they are Shaquille O’Neal or Dwight Howard. Meeks simply isn’t built for a game like this, but look for him to start some fast breaks with his outlet passing. Roy Williams called him the best passing big man he’s ever recruited. Hicks will likely score a few points running on the break, but he’s not much of a shooter so don’t look for him to put up big numbers either.

Meeks and Hicks represent the 65th and 66th Tar Heels to be named McDonald’s All-Americans. That is the most of any school and 10 more than second-place Duke. Even with a record six future Kentucky Wildcats playing tonight (vomit #2), Carolina still has 20 more McDonald’s All-Americans than Kentucky.

In addition to Meeks and Hicks, there are a few names to keep an eye on tonight. Here they are:

Andrew Wiggins: Never heard of him? Well, let me introduce you. Watch the video below and then wipe up your drool. Wiggins is the number one player in the class of 2013 and for good reason. Many have said he is the best high school player since LeBron James. That is debatable, but there is no doubt he is a LeBron-level athlete. His quickness and leaping ability are astonishing. He needs to work on his shot, but maybe Hubert Davis will have a chance to do that. Wiggins has yet to commit to school, but he is down to UNC, UK, Kansas and FSU. If anybody tells you they know where he is going, they don’t. He has been incredibly tight lipped about his recruitment.

Jabari Parker: In almost any other year, Parker would be the top player in the country. In fact, he was before Wiggins reclassified to 2013. Some scouts have said Parker has outperformed Wiggins during practices this week. He is an elite player that does not have any blatant deficiencies. Why should Carolina fans watch Parker tonight? Because he’s going to Duke (vomit #3).

Cat Barber: Not only does Barber have an awesome name, but he rocks the Latrell Sprewell-style braids. Late-90s swag for days. He’s a quick point guard who will suit up for NC State next year. This assuming he does not leave the program like the rest of the Wolfpack roster. He might be playing one-on-five.

Don’t take too much stock in how players look in tonight’s game. It’s a glorified scrimmage. However, it is exciting to see future Tar Heels on the court for the first time. Enjoy and be sure to send good vibes Wiggins way.

Go Heels Go America!

Photos Courtesy of McDonalds

Looking Back on the 2012-13 Tar Heels

It’s never easy to look back at a season the day after it suddenly ends. I assume most Tar Heel fans expected to lose to Kansas on Sunday, but that does not make it any easier when it actually happens. The NCAA Tournament can be cruel like that.

Sports fans, and Carolina fans in particular, can be vicious and harsh as well.

Just ask Harrison Barnes, who was a two-time All-ACC player, led the Heels in scoring twice, hit numerous game winning shots and was a tremendous representative of North Carolina off the court. Yet he was criticized by some for somehow underachieving and not living up to expectations created by others.

Just ask Roy Williams. He’s won 700 games at an 80 percent clip, been to seven Final Fours, won two titles and led Carolina to at least the elite eight in six of his ten seasons in Chapel Hill. While he certainly has his flaws, even Williams is unjustly criticized by many.

What I am saying here is that, there are people behind the machine of Carolina basketball. It does not exist purely for the satisfaction of us alumni and fans. We may stew and sulk for a few days following a loss, but to the likes of Williams and Barnes, it is life. It’s not a distraction from the real world. It is the real world.

Even with the nine-point lead at halftime against Kansas, I was satisfied and proud of the 2012-13 Tar Heels regardless of how the second 20 minutes unfolded. Sure, I was frustrated as the Jayhawks made their run and finally played like a No. 1 seed. I yelled, cussed and sulked, but in the back of my mind I knew this was a satisfying season.

I saw P.J. Hairston put a towel over his head in dispair as the final few seconds ticked off the clock. I listened as Reggie Bullock chocked up when talking about playing with Dexter Strickland for the final time.

All this reminds me that it is too simple to say, “Carolina did not win it all, therefore the season was a failure.” That is shortsighted and ignorant.

On Feb. 9, the Tar Heels lost to Miami 87-61. They sat 16-7 overall and 6-4 in the ACC. Many had Carolina doomed for the NIT. However, the Tar Heels went small and managed to go 6-2 down the stretch with the only losses to Duke. The Heels then won two games in the ACC Tournament and nearly pulled off the upset in the championship game over the same Miami team that throttled them a month earlier. Carolina had come a long way.

The NCAA selection committee did not do the Heels any favors with a No. 8 seed and second round matchup with Kansas in Kansas City, Mo. However, there was nothing Roy, Carolina or the fans could do. They had to play. The Heels defeated Villanova in the first round, winning the 25th game of the season and the 700th in Williams’ illustrious career.

In the end, the Heels fell to a No. 1 seed that started four seniors and a top-3 pick in the upcoming NBA draft. There is no shame in that.

Think about how far the Heels came this season. No player sums it up better than Marcus Paige. People tried to compare him to Raymond Felton, Ty Lawson and Kendall Marshall. Heels fans showed their impatience and lack of understanding by declaring him a bust before the season was half over. However, Paige grew as the season moved along. He hit huge shots down the stretch, including a gigantic three pointer to put Carolina up four over Villanova with 2:04 remaining and is poised to be the next in a great line of Tar Heel point guards.

Like Paige, this Tar Heel team grew as the season moved along. The bazillion point loss to Texas seems like an eternity ago. The team that lost to Kansas on Sunday was not the same team that was demolished by Butler in Maui this past November.

This was not your traditional North Carolina team. There was no big man to center the offense around. Roy Williams has coached the same system for over three decades. First as an assistant under Dean Smith and then in his 25 years as a head coach. Regardless of what those outside the program said, it must have been hard to change things up. If something works for 35 years, why would you change? Nevertheless, Williams did change when he elected to go to the small lineup and it paid off.

2012-13 was one of the most remarkable coaching jobs by Roy in the decade since he came home. The team lost four first round draft picks and still was able to finish third in the ACC and win a game in the NCAA Tournament. Nobody thought that was possible on Feb. 9. Just ask John Calipari how easy it is to win after losing four first round picks.

There is plenty of time to look towards the future of Carolina basketball. Next season depends on the decisions of three underclassmen as well as a high school phenom. Now is a time to look back and appreciate what Roy and the team accomplished. Sometimes years like this are the most rewarding. You get to see a team grow and gel as the season moves on. You can see the future by looking at how far they have already come.

Thanks to Dexter Strickland for four years of exciting play and thank you to Roy and the team for another unforgettable season. It is an honor to be a fan of the greatest college basketball program in the country.

Go Heels Go America!

Photos courtesy AP Photo / Orlin Wagner, Charlie Riedel

On Seeding and Kansas

I’m a little late to this discussion, but I know everybody was waiting with bated breath for my thoughts on the controversial seeding and draw handed down to the Tar Heels by the NCAA selection committee.

One thing is clear. The selection committee does not give a damn about the RPI. If so, the Heels would not have been close to an 8-seed. Carolina finished ranked 18 in the RPI. That is higher than every other 8-seed, every 7-seed and half of the 6-seeds. It makes no sense. Hell, three of the top four teams in the RPI didn’t get a top seed. Duke (1) and Miami (4) earned 2-seeds while New Mexico (2) was saddled with a 3-seed.

So from here on out, I’ll blow a gasket if any member of the selection committee references RPI again. It holds no purpose and they’re lying if they say it plays a role in the seeding process.

That being said, I do not have a huge problem with the Heels seed. I thought we would get a 6-seed with a win over Miami in the ACC Championship Game and a 7-seed with a loss. An eight was somewhat disappointing, but I understand why it happened.

Carolina did not beat anybody of note this season. In fact, they went just 2-9 against teams in the tournament if my in memory serves me correct. The only wins were over the underachieving duo of UNLV and NC State.

It’s not like the Heels did not have their chances even after Roy went to the small lineup though. A win in any of the three combined games against Duke and Miami likely would have bumped Carolina up to a 6-seed. The Heels simply could not break through and get the notable win.

However, it is ironic that UNC is punished for not beating anybody while UVA is relegated to the NIT after beating four top-50 teams. Of course, UNC did not lose to Old Dominion, George Mason and Delaware. But the final two at-large teams to make the tournament (Middle Tennessee and La Salle) combined for just three top-50 wins and lost to the likes of Central Connecticut State, Florida International and Arkansas State.

There simply is no consistency or clarity from the NCAA. However, I understand why UNC is an 8-seed. Doesn’t mean I like it though.

What I really do not like is the potential second-round matchup against Kansas. Do not tell me this was random, Mr. Chairman. If (and this is a big “if”) the Heels beat Villanova on Friday and Kansas sneaks by mighty Western Kentucky, it will mark the third time in five years North Carolina and Kansas have met in the tournament.

That is not random, Mr. Committee Chairman. You say you don’t look at matchups, but we aren’t idiots. The two storied programs had met just three times ever in the tournament in the five decades before the 2008 Final Four. Hmmm… why would the NCAA want Kansas and North Carolina to play so frequently nowadays? Gee, I don’t know. It’s just a coincidence I guess. (BLOGGER NOT SO SUBTLY ROLLS HIS EYES)

I’m just proud of the NCAA for not having the nads to put UNC and Duke together in the same bracket. I’d have to either drink myself in oblivion or glue my eyes and ears shut to handle that game.

All of this being said, it’s tournament time. Despite all its hypocrisy and lies, the NCAA puts on a hell of a show every March. My goal for this year: win a game. Oh yeah…

Go Temple!

Go Albany!

Go Heels Go America!