Random thoughts on Lawson, dunks, and the color green from day one at the NCAAs
Mar 18, 2009
Tags: ACC
Here are a few thing I had running through my head as practice day wound down in Greensboro, some basketball related, some not.
* It appears the economy is too much for even the vaunted "NC-two-A" to overcome. The trademark blue NCAA cups that have been a staple of press row, the interview podium and both team benches for so long, appear to have been replaced by drinking vessels branded with the Vitamin Water logo.
Roy Williams has always clamored for the freedom to have his Coca-Cola cups with him during his postgame press conferences - at least Vitamin Water is a Coke product.
* Ty Lawson should be majoring in statistics with the number of times he gives percentages in his answers to questions. Examples from today include his guess as to how much of a part he will play in deciding if he suits up for Thursday's game, how well he thinks he would be feeling now if he didn't play against Duke, and how long it took him last year to completely get over his ankle injury.
All reasonable questions, all answered with a mathematical touch.
I don't know what he's getting his degree in, or if he will even finish at all, but someone over in Chapel Hill needs to give him one of those honorary diplomas if nothing else - he's earned it.
Man, I'm gonna miss that kid if (when) he goes pro.
* If you are wondering whether or not you should check out practice day at the NCAA Tournament, my advice is do it. It's free to get in, and chances are if Carolina or Duke are in town, you'll be treated to an impromptu dunk contest. Both teams spent the last five minutes of their allotted time on court putting on a serious display.
The winners?
Bronze: Danny Green for his attempt at the Vince Carter between the legs dunk
Silver: Elliot Williams - for his overall nastiness and for completing the dunk that Green tried but missed.
Gold: Believe it or not, it goes to Olek Czyz of Duke - yes, there is a guy named Olek Czyz on Duke's team. He's a freshman, he wears number 13...it doesn't matter. He threw down a 360, between the legs slam that had everyone wondering, man, if this kid could just play basketball, imagine how good he would be.
I wonder if it was embarassing for Greg Paulus to be shooting threes when everyone else was dunking, including Jon Scheyer and Jordan Davidson.
* Who was the person that chose that weird color green for every seat in Greensboro Coliseum? I have nothing witty to add, it's just an honest question.
I only ask because I don't want them anywhere near someone involved with the interior design of my home. OK, that might count as witty...
* Cell phone reception is good, so to those of you that are rooting for a team that's losing, be prepared for constant vibration or ringing as your friends text you to make fun.
