What Will Tyler Hansbrough Do For An Encore In The NBA

[Da Boss DJ Jo Corleone]

OK, ok, ok (a little Leo Gets for you), so now that the tournament has been set, I can talk a little NCAA hoops, but for my man Fred I have to first talk about last year’s player of the year, Mr. Tyler Hansbrough. Don’t worry folks we’ll talk March Madness tomorrow.

Standing at 6 ‘9 Hansbrough is currently the ACC’s 2nd all time leading scorer, that in itself says a lot. With players like Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison, Chris Paul, and Michael Jordan (all Tarheels except for Paul,), all being former ACC players just to name a few of the guys to come before him. Hansbrough will be the all time leading scorer, by the time the tournament is over, as he currently trails former Duke Blue Devil J.J. Redick by just 2 points.

Now personally I’m glad Hansbrough stayed in school all four years to sharpen up his game, and even more importantly try to win an NCAA championship. Even being one of North Carolina’s biggest fans, I’ll be the first to admit he was not ready for the N.B.A. in any of his previous years. Despite being only 1 of 3 players in ACC history to have these accomplishments under his belt, The 2008 National Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, ACC Player of the ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player, and the NCAA Tournament Regional MVP.

I could really go on all day about his accomplishments as a college player, but I don’t have the time or the ink to write that long. Oh yes, the Mac Book would run out of on screen ink by the time I was finished. Just click this link and be amazed by what the boy has done http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyler_Hansbrough#All.E2.80.93time_records.

Now after four years he is ready for the Association, but I have to be honest, he won’t dominate the way he did in college. A good point has been brought up many times by my dear friend Fred, and that is at 6’9 he’s nothing more than a small forward and he’s not even close to being as fast as the small forwards that the N.B.A. possesses. True, however he will be strong enough especially as he gets older to play the power forward position.

Sure he won’t be able to handle the K.G.s, the Stoudmires, and Duncans, but who can? He will be a solid guy off the bench mark my words. The kid has heart, works hard, and understands the game. I think of him as being a poor man’s Tim Duncan. And if put into the right system he could be great. Teams like the Jazz, or even the Spurs would be a good fit for him. I mean come on, if Matt Bonner can get it in, you better believe Hansbrough can too.

The NBA is all about the right players playing in the right systems. Look at Allen Iverson, one of the best to ever play, but playing in Detroit hasn’t been so great for him or the team. So after 3 years or so, if he’s in the right system then we can judge him. Realistically he’ll end up getting picked in the late first round anyway, which means he’ll go to a team where he’ll be asked to contribute rather than lead. That will make a world of difference in his development. And speaking of development thanks to the N.B.A.’s D-League, and Summer league he’ll have the time to get ready for the speed and strength that the N.B.A. has to offer.

So to my friend your days of watching Tyler Hansbrough are not over yet, though he won’t be an all star anytime soon if ever, he’ll definitely be a guy that hits the one or two baskets or grabs the big rebound that sends your team home crying. Duke fans I know you can relate.