What started as an exciting day in sports went against my teams today. We’ve heard for months that Dwight Howard wanted to play in Brooklyn. The worst case scenario would be the Nets wouldn’t be able to trade for him at the trade deadline, so they would have an opportunity to sign him in July as a free agent. No one that I can remember actually picked up their own player option and bypass free agency. This could only happen to the Nets. I know will root against Dwight Howard. The Nets picked up Gerald Wallace from the Portland Trailblazers for two expiring contracts and a first round pick next season. I don’t understand why they had to throw in a pick when that is easily going to be in the top 10.
The Nets have to try and convince Deron Williams to stay now which seems like it won’t happen. The sad part is I don’t think the Nets are that bad if they had a healthy Brook Lopez all year but he’s missed all but 4 or 5 games.
In NFL news the top defensive player, Mario Williams, signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills so now the Jets will see him twice a year. I wouldn’t have guessed he’d sign there either. He obviously has no interest in winning and just took the most money.
The NCAA Tournament has been pretty dull so far. The only upset just happened where #12 seed VCU beat #5 seed Wichita State. Is that even considered an upset though? VCU made it to the Final Four last year.
I hope the rest of the night gives us some drama filled games going into tomorrow.
The UNC Tarheels had a very forgettable 2009-2010 season. They missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time under Roy Williams; the only bright side was a run in the NIT that left the Tarheels with a 20-17 overall record. Fans were discouraged but maintained hope coming into the 2010-2011 season.
Williams returned big men John Henson and Tyler Zeller to go along with one of the best recruiting classes in the nation. Harrison Barnes was the big name, ranked as the top freshman in the nation. The class also included Reggie Bullock and Kendall Marshall. While many argue that Marshall fueled the Tarheels turnaround this winter by taking over the point guard position from Larry Drew, Barnes was the Tarheels’ biggest offensive threat. From a late February victory against Maryland through UNC’s tournament run, Barnes averaged 21.5 points per game, including a 40 point outburst against Clemson.
Barnes looks forward to 'special seaon' at UNC
While the Tarheels fell short in the Elite 8 to Kentucky, Barnes boosted his NBA stock and seemed poised to make the jump after his first year of school. With his abilities and size (6-8) Barnes looks like he has the potential for a monster NBA career. On Monday Barnes announced that that NBA career will be put on hold for one more season.
Barnes has decided to come back to UNC for his sophomore campaign and in his words, 'prepare for a special season'. Barnes is joined by the returning frontcourt duo of Henson and Zeller. The team will be identical to last year's elite 8 bunch, the only loss being senior forward Justin Knox. Coach Williams will look to combine this in-house talent with another star class that includes McDonald's All-Americans James McAdoo and P.J. Hairston.
James McAdoo joins an already stacked Tarheel lineup
With news of the big 3 returning to UNC, fans and analysts will no doubt be expecting big things from these Tarheels. While we wait for Friday's declaration deadline to pass, UNC is in position to be #1 overall in next year's preseason polls. Roy Williams will have plenty to work with as he goes for his 3rd national championship as head coach of the Tarheels.
East coast bias. This is what I'm going to use as my reason for not seeing much of Derrick Williams during the regular season. The power-packed Big East made headlines all year, with star and now national champion Kemba Walker leading the way. Nolan Smith and the Blue Devils also had their fair share of the spotlight. Then of course there was Jimmer Mania. Fredette was about as close as I got to the Pac 10 this year. The conference's games were late for us on the East Coast and really their teams just weren't worth my beauty sleep. At least this is what I thought before a certain Thursday night in March.
Williams saw his draft stock soar during the Big Dance
The date, March 24th; the excitement that is March Madness was upon us. I was excited because my Tar Heels were still in the Dance, and I was certainly going to tune in for an opportunity to see Duke lose. I lost hope as the first half progressed. Duke seemed in control and I was debating calling it a night rather than waste my time on another Blue Devil victory. However there was one sign of hope for the Cats; it was this guy I had been hearing pretty good things about. Derrick Williams was lights out, going 5-6 from three point range in the first half including a 3 in the closing seconds that pulled Arizona within 6.
I was still pretty skeptical and was back to considering bed when Charles Barkley convinced viewers that the Wildcats had Duke right where they wanted them. Really Charles? Yes, really. The Cats went on to score 55 in the second half to run Duke out of the gym 93-77. Williams, already a highly touted sophomore, had entered the national spotlight. Scoring 32 points to go along with 13 rebounds, Williams scored from inside and out, showcasing power moves and monster dunks to go along with his outside shooting.
As Arizona's run eventually came to an end, Williams faced a decision, go or stay. His decision was made easier by his performance in the NCAA Tournament; some analysts now projecting he could go as high as #1 overall. On Wednesday Williams formally announced what many expected; he was leaving school and signing an agent in preparation for the NBA draft.
Williams has been compared to the phenom Griffin
The 6-foot-8 Williams seemed a man among boys at times in college. He could post you up underneath or pull it out and shoot a 3 in your face. With the increased size and athleticism of the NBA, it will be interesting to see what kind of player Williams becomes. I've seen some Blake Griffin comparisons while others have written that Williams will be better used as a 6th man. I tend to follow NCAAB more than the NBA, and would be interested to hear what fans from the league think Williams’ prospects are.
With the end of the men's college basketball tournament, fans begin holding their breath for what has become the inevitable. Teams with star recruits with pro potential begin making statements that their young players have decided to forgo their senior, junior, or even sophomore seasons to try their luck in the NBA. While teams wait until this point to formally make the announcements, it is usually a foregone conclusion that certain players are going to be one and done.
The season's first big name player has come out and said that he will be putting his name into this year's NBA Draft. Coach K notified the public that Kyrie Irving will be leaving school early, even after he missed 26 games this season with a bum toe
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