Roy Williams lost forwards Marvin Williams and Brandan Wright after only one season at UNC to the NBA. Is the Tar Heels coach trying to hide freshman forward Ed Davis from the NBA scouts?
Not based on the LSU game and you'll only see more of Davis going forward.
Interesting, when it came down to brass tacks on Saturday, Williams turned to Davis, who logged 25 minutes in the 84-70 win over LSU. The 6-10 freshman power forward finished with nine points and seven rebounds while starter Deon Thompson watched much of the second half and finished with six points and one rebound in 15 minutes.
It's "go" time, and Williams understands that. Davis emerged as a force during the ACC Tournament, dominating Virginia Tech for stretches, and is playing better than Thompson. He's simply more aggressive with the ball and a better defender.
Ol' Roy's a lot of things but he ain't dumb. Plus, of all the positions Williams can afford to lose off of next season's roster, it's power forward where Thompson and Tyler Zeller return while top prospect John Henson arrives, along with the Wear twins. (You think Ol' Roy over-recruited there by accident?)
UNC fans have been clamoring for Davis, a McDonald's All-American from Richmond, to replace Thompson, a junior, in the starting lineup.
Davis has started two games — Nov. 24 against Chaminade and Nov. 30 against UNC-Asheville — but both while Tyler Hansbrough was injured and out of the lineup (and only after Zeller's wrist injury).
That's two more games than Williams started in his one-year UNC career. There was no such "hiding" with Wright, who started all 37 of his career games during the 2006-07 season.
Davis has made the most of his minutes. The long lefty leads UNC in blocked shots (63) and ranks second on the team in rebounding (6.7 per game).
In 18.9 minutes per game, Davis has produced similar numbers (6.7 to 10.9 in points; 6.7 to 6.0 in rebounds) to Thompson, who averages 25.2 minutes per game.
Like Williams, who left after helping the Heels win the 2005 title, Davis is considered the best pro prospect on a veteran UNC team. Williams went second overall to the Atlanta Hawks in the '05 NBA Draft — three spots in front of guard Raymond Felton.
Mark Heisler, of The L.A. Times, with the help of "NBA people" ranks Davis as the fourth-best prospect in the '09 draft.
The money quote from Heisler's rankings is:
"No one talks about him now, which, as one GM said, 'is how Roy Williams wants it.' "
Junior guard Ty Lawson is No. 28 on Heisler's list, which goes to 30 (the number of picks in the first round). Hansbrough is not on Heisler's list but he makes a point to mention the senior is expected to go in the first round because not all the underclassmen on his list will enter the draft.
Heisler also has Wake's Jeff Teague (7), Wake's Al-Farouq Aminu (10), FSU's Solomon Alabi (15), Duke's Gerald Henderson (19), Wake's James Johnson (23) and Georgia Tech's Iman Shumpert (24) on his list.
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Ed Davis
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 17:02 — jpangellDavis probably is a great prospect and reminds me a lot of Brandon Wright. If he just wants the quick big bucks and has an opportunity then he should consider going. However, he is still very young, skinny, not strong, and may very well end up like Wright at the end of the bench with a poor NBA future. My guess is that another year at UNC would be far more beneficial to his development ( and personal maturity) than sitting on an NBA bench. It certainly would have been for Brandon Wright.
Hiding Davis: You said it
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 15:28 — legend47Hiding Davis: You said it !!! I saw it the first time he played. T.H. was hurt but who did Roy started in his place...T.Z.. Davis block shots, rebounds and scores in getting only a few minute of playing time. T.Z. got 10 point in that game but didn't play defense like Davis. As the yr.went by, Roy just didn't play him enough...until now. If you want to Win, you play your best player on the team and I don't see coach ROY doing that.
I could be wrong...
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 09:41 — bballfan...but as much of an upside as Ed Davis has, he's still a freshman and still learning UNC's system. Most freshmen have to transition to the college game in which the talent level is much better, as well as the physicality. I love his play no doubt but I believe he's been limited in his play due to his foul tendency. I don't know where or how to check whether records are kept on a player's fouls per game average but I'm willing to bet that Big Ed would be averaging almost 3 fouls in the 18.9 minutes of playing time per game. Again, with some additional experience on the collegiate level, his foul's will come down and his playing time will go up. He's a great player!
Very simple
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 07:59 — Guitarman51He'll probably evaluate his draft status after the season. If he's a lottery pick he should probably go. If not another year in college would still be a good thing for him.
If Davis stays in college...
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 07:40 — UNC1998There will be a lot of big forwards, centers on the team. He would have a year in hand, but would still need to earn and keep playing time. If somebody's willing to throw the $ at him, I wouldn't blame him for taking it. All of that will settle out after the season's over.
Only Roy can screw up Davis....and UNC in the ncaa
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 01:35 — unc1dmoThis has not been rocket science for a month now......only ROY BOY makes it an ongoing potential CLUSTERxxxx.....
1. SIT Charmin Soft Thompson's butt on the bench and let him back up with Zeller and Copeland....
2. ED DAVIS.....STARTS and plays 30-35 mins a game....
Get off to a quick start with the horses on the floor.... rather than getting blown off the floor like the LSU 2nd half...
that run LSU made to start the 2nd half with Thompson on the floor..... was xxxxxxxx pathetic .....and UNnecessary
Roy has 19 trips to the ncaa dance and has come home a LOSER 18 times......
-Keep starting Thompson and get blown out at the start of a half (like MARYLAND v Memphis) ...
-Keep having Charmin Soft playing more minutes than Davis.........
and this will end up for ROY BOY as # 19 times a LOSER.
unc1dmo
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 08:41 — cam4UNCIf you are truely a UNC fan you are a sorry one. Just because UNC or Roy Williams doesn't win the national championship doesn't mean they are losers. How many other teams can consistantly go to the tournament and the final four, especially losing freshman and sophmores every year? Its fans like you that make others complain about UNC fans being arrogant.
I agree..
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 10:24 — UNC1998There are a lot of UNC basketball fans. Some of them know nothing but success, and take it for granted. I don't know about anyone else here, but I've never coached a team to a championship, never coached over 500 victories, and am not in the Hall of Fame for my sport. That said, Roy Williams is a lot more qualified than me (and I would guess everyone here) to coach this team as far as it can go. I'm sure I'm echoing a lot of thoughts when I say that's a National Championship.
heisler is an idiot
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 23:56 — saltydawg1ranking al-farouq ahead of johnson and Henderson, is absolutely rediculous......this is typical left-coast crap!!
Re: No Hiding Davis...
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 21:44 — jaylrBefore Brandon Wright's injury, he was getting limited minutes on a less than mediocre NBA team. Would you agree that with his talents and contributions, the Warriors would have more wins if they played him even half a game? It seems at most he was getting 10 min.
The future is bright for Ed Davis and hopefully he is given a chance to prove himself both at UNC and in the NBA. Unfortunately we haven't seen this happen yet with B. Wright but we're still waiting.
The Scouts can
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 16:59 — jeromfitzlook but I don't think they want to touch and grab him. He is good though and can go forward. I'm looking at so many talent should be NBAers in the D-League or abroad that came out of college from UNC. I don't know what's going on but it a difficult market with only two rounds of draft picks. I think they need to create the ABA league on the EAST side of the U.S. because most the games in the D-League over the Midwest, Southwest and West Coast areas. We as fans don't see D-League basketball broadcasts like the NBA. There is a market for NBA-DL, I believe. Davis should stay and break records like Hansbrough has done. It's easier done than said to have a resume with All-American attach. I know Davis is possible lottery pick anyway but I just hopes his success in college with hard work continues to progress. Next year in Carolina uniform he starts every game and in the NBA he may be limited to 15 minutes a game sitting on the bench waiting his turn to play. Those are the choices. Play or sit down in the NBA for a year or two being sent down the NBA-DL for two months or maybe a year if injuried.
In the LSU game
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 16:48 — tarheelfanblogDavis was brought in three mins into the game because UNC was getting killed on the boards. When LSU ran off their 13-3 run to take the lead in the 2nd half it was because Deon Thompson could not stop Tasmin Mitchell from getting to the basket any time he wanted to. Defense and rebounding won Davis his minutes, the points were almost like gravy.
jpg
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 16:28 — Worz4UNCthere may be another factor that influenced the time disparity between ed and deon their last two or three games. i wouldn't expect you to do your homework tho as it is not like you get paid for this dribble
You mean drivel?
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 19:27 — jpg (author)Good call, Worz. Clearly I need your guidance.
— JPG
Doing the right thing
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 15:19 — heelsno1It is simply absurd to suggest that Roy Williams or anyone else could possibly hide the talent and upside potenial of Ed Davis. Why were the Virginia Wahoos so dejected when Davis committed to UNC? His talent was in plain view in Richmond, and that is the reason why UVa wanted him so much! Personally, I think Davis should play more because he helps the team with rebounding and defense. The Heels can outscore any team without many points from Deon or Ed Davis, but can they consistently make the key stops for their stretch run?
Just like Dean Smith before him, Roy Williams will always try to serve the best interests of his players. Why do you think so many of them either graduate on schedule or come back to earn their degrees. Why do so many succeed in the NBA both as professional players and coaches? I think it is beacause you cannot hide greatness.
Go Heels!
state homer
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 16:33 — dkellyuncthe article was written by a state homer so what did you expect??? that's all they can hold on to...hoping that unc loses recruits so that state can somehow be competitive again.
hey jpg, i'm only kidding.
Davis' future is much brighter than that of Thompson but Deon's earned the right to start and Davis' role right now is come off the bench, provide minutes and be a defensive presence inside. unc doesn't need Davis to be the man this year.
I don't believe he leaves this year but next year's a different story. Once he gets Hansbrough's minutes he'll be gone after the season.
Most UNC fans will tell you that they see no problem in leaving early especially if they can get a National Championship.
Minutes
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 18:49 — the_wb91I agree that Deon earned his minutes but poor an uninspired play can make you lose it. This is not something that is permenant. You have to continue to earn the right to start every practice and every game.
hiding davis
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 14:48 — george32if no one talks about him, how did the pro rep know to rate him number 5 in the country. he doesn't start, marvin williams did not start. that year felton ,may and mccants got the bulk of the publicity but it sure did not hurt marvin's draft status. are you trying to suggest roy is not trying to put the players on the floor who give carolina the best opportunity to win.