Featured Point Guard
Ty Lawson - University of North Carolina
More mature Lawson can make Heels go.
Sophomore point guard Ty Lawson admits he likes to have fun and be a kid, but he knows that if top-ranked North Carolina is to make a serious run at the NCAA title, it all starts with him.
ROBBI PICKERAL, Staff Writer CHAPEL HILL -
With his SpongeBob SquarePants apparel and prankster personality, it's not surprising that point guard Ty Lawson decided against going to the NBA in the summer because, he said, "I just felt like being a kid for one more year."
But there's the conundrum. Because as top-ranked North Carolina opens its season tonight in Charlotte against Davidson (1-0), the Tar Heels' Final Four chances may depend on just how much Lawson's game has grown up. "It starts with him," said Raymond Felton, who led UNC to a national title three seasons ago. "It starts with the point guard on defense, on offense, in the huddle. If he makes that jump, if he matures his game and he understands what he needs to do ... they've definitely got the team to win it."
Felton, a point guard for Charlotte Bobcats, should know. In 2004-05, also his second year under coach Roy Williams, it was his leap from speedy ballhandler to focused leader that pushed the Heels to the school's fourth NCAA men's basketball title.
Like Lawson last season, Felton always boasted the physical skills to star -- a lightning first step, a powerful dribble, a good shot. But after a full year and offseason under Williams, who was hired in 2003, he said he gained more: comfort with the system, trust in his new coach, and belief that his actions could make his team better.
"Raymond," Williams said, "became a true point guard."
That's something Lawson said he's starting to experience, as well.
"I do feel like I know more of what he [Williams] wants out of me now," the sophomore said, and it has made a difference.
"Last year, we had so many weapons on this team, ... I might have held myself back. I was new, and it might have been a confidence thing. But now, I'm just trying to do more, be more of a weapon, myself -- and be a leader, get more people involved at the same time."
Many coaches, including Williams, think the biggest developmental jump in a player comes between his freshman and sophomore seasons, because after a year, "he knows what we're going to ask of him, he knows what to expect."
But it's never an easy leap.
Lawson, for instance, was thrust into the starting lineup the sixth game of last season, after teammate Bobby Frasor fractured his foot. And while opponents struggled with the 5-foot-11, 195-pounder's speed and ability to penetrate the lane at will, he admits his defense was inconsistent and he sometimes hesitated to shoot at crucial times, particularly at the end of games.
It's a lot to take in for a freshman: learning the offense, knowing everyone's else's positions, realizing that you're not always the best player on the court. It also didn't help Lawson that he disliked practice -- that is, until he was thrown out of a workout in February when he didn't give the effort Williams wanted.
As a result, he did not start in an 84-77 loss at Georgia Tech, and that got his attention. "I learned to accept it [practice] more," said Lawson, who averaged 10.2 points and 5.6 assists as a freshman. "... That for me and the team to get better, my work ethic had to get better."
Practice still isn't his favorite pastime, but knowing he had to build better stamina for a title run, Lawson embraced workouts more during the offseason. He used a personal trainer to build his strength and melt away some of his baby fat, and he also spent extra hours honing his jump shot.
One of the results, teammate Marcus Ginyard said, is that Lawson's team consistently beats everyone else during four-on-four drills -- on offense and defense.
"He has really just gotten to the point where he knows he can take over a game, he can control the game, and I think that's something he just didn't quite feel as much [last season] as he does now."
In addition, Williams said, his on the-ball defense is "180 degrees [better] than it was last year." Thus, he's starting to become the floor leader the Tar Heels lacked at times last season.
"I think he's going to be far better because his preparation in practice is better,'' the coach said. "And I think the respect for Ty has gone up a great deal since last year just like it did for Raymond from my first year, which was his sophomore year, to his junior year."
Oh, the cherub-faced Lawson probably never will be as outwardly intense as Felton, who was so focused during the championship season that he practiced through wrist, elbow and groin injuries.
Lawson, by comparison, still likes to wear cartoon figures on his socks and play tricks on his coach (like waiting until the final minute to board the bus, just to see if Williams starts worrying).
"And that's OK," Williams said, grinning, "as long as he gets on the bus."
Staying a kid, after all, is why Lawson returned to Chapel Hill this season.
"You have to have fun -- playing basketball is fun," Lawson said.
Maturing his game, though, just might key a title. "I'm serious about winning."
robbi.pickeral@newsobserver.com or 919-829-8944 © Copyright 2007, The News & Observer Publishing Company.
Ty Lawson - University of North Carolina
More mature Lawson can make Heels go.
Sophomore point guard Ty Lawson admits he likes to have fun and be a kid, but he knows that if top-ranked North Carolina is to make a serious run at the NCAA title, it all starts with him.
ROBBI PICKERAL, Staff Writer CHAPEL HILL -
With his SpongeBob SquarePants apparel and prankster personality, it's not surprising that point guard Ty Lawson decided against going to the NBA in the summer because, he said, "I just felt like being a kid for one more year."
But there's the conundrum. Because as top-ranked North Carolina opens its season tonight in Charlotte against Davidson (1-0), the Tar Heels' Final Four chances may depend on just how much Lawson's game has grown up. "It starts with him," said Raymond Felton, who led UNC to a national title three seasons ago. "It starts with the point guard on defense, on offense, in the huddle. If he makes that jump, if he matures his game and he understands what he needs to do ... they've definitely got the team to win it."
Felton, a point guard for Charlotte Bobcats, should know. In 2004-05, also his second year under coach Roy Williams, it was his leap from speedy ballhandler to focused leader that pushed the Heels to the school's fourth NCAA men's basketball title.
Like Lawson last season, Felton always boasted the physical skills to star -- a lightning first step, a powerful dribble, a good shot. But after a full year and offseason under Williams, who was hired in 2003, he said he gained more: comfort with the system, trust in his new coach, and belief that his actions could make his team better.
"Raymond," Williams said, "became a true point guard."
That's something Lawson said he's starting to experience, as well.
"I do feel like I know more of what he [Williams] wants out of me now," the sophomore said, and it has made a difference.
"Last year, we had so many weapons on this team, ... I might have held myself back. I was new, and it might have been a confidence thing. But now, I'm just trying to do more, be more of a weapon, myself -- and be a leader, get more people involved at the same time."
Many coaches, including Williams, think the biggest developmental jump in a player comes between his freshman and sophomore seasons, because after a year, "he knows what we're going to ask of him, he knows what to expect."
But it's never an easy leap.
Lawson, for instance, was thrust into the starting lineup the sixth game of last season, after teammate Bobby Frasor fractured his foot. And while opponents struggled with the 5-foot-11, 195-pounder's speed and ability to penetrate the lane at will, he admits his defense was inconsistent and he sometimes hesitated to shoot at crucial times, particularly at the end of games.
It's a lot to take in for a freshman: learning the offense, knowing everyone's else's positions, realizing that you're not always the best player on the court. It also didn't help Lawson that he disliked practice -- that is, until he was thrown out of a workout in February when he didn't give the effort Williams wanted.
As a result, he did not start in an 84-77 loss at Georgia Tech, and that got his attention. "I learned to accept it [practice] more," said Lawson, who averaged 10.2 points and 5.6 assists as a freshman. "... That for me and the team to get better, my work ethic had to get better."
Practice still isn't his favorite pastime, but knowing he had to build better stamina for a title run, Lawson embraced workouts more during the offseason. He used a personal trainer to build his strength and melt away some of his baby fat, and he also spent extra hours honing his jump shot.
One of the results, teammate Marcus Ginyard said, is that Lawson's team consistently beats everyone else during four-on-four drills -- on offense and defense.
"He has really just gotten to the point where he knows he can take over a game, he can control the game, and I think that's something he just didn't quite feel as much [last season] as he does now."
In addition, Williams said, his on the-ball defense is "180 degrees [better] than it was last year." Thus, he's starting to become the floor leader the Tar Heels lacked at times last season.
"I think he's going to be far better because his preparation in practice is better,'' the coach said. "And I think the respect for Ty has gone up a great deal since last year just like it did for Raymond from my first year, which was his sophomore year, to his junior year."
Oh, the cherub-faced Lawson probably never will be as outwardly intense as Felton, who was so focused during the championship season that he practiced through wrist, elbow and groin injuries.
Lawson, by comparison, still likes to wear cartoon figures on his socks and play tricks on his coach (like waiting until the final minute to board the bus, just to see if Williams starts worrying).
"And that's OK," Williams said, grinning, "as long as he gets on the bus."
Staying a kid, after all, is why Lawson returned to Chapel Hill this season.
"You have to have fun -- playing basketball is fun," Lawson said.
Maturing his game, though, just might key a title. "I'm serious about winning."
robbi.pickeral@newsobserver.com or 919-829-8944 © Copyright 2007, The News & Observer Publishing Company.
