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Bilas: Carolina has leadership in Lawson, just not vocal leadership

Ty Lawson takes the ball to the hoop in the UNC Tar Heels vs. Virginia Cavaliers game at the John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, NC, Thursday, January 15, 2009. Tar Heels defeated Cavaliers 83-61. Photo byTodd Melet.

• Jennings: Who is Carolina's leader?
• Bilas: Lawson leads Heels by example

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Jan 23, 2009

Any sports fan will tell you leadership is a huge factor for great teams.  Most successful teams have one player that others turn to for words of encouragement at critical times. 

But, does a team's leader have to a vocal leader?  Former Duke player and coach Jay Bilas doesn't think so.

"I actually had a chance to work with Ty Lawson when he was in high school..." Bilas told 99.9 FM The Fan on Thursday.  "I actually mentioned to Roy Williams when I saw him right after that, that kid doesn't say boo.  He didn't say a word the whole time, but he was a great leader."

If a player isn't yelling or getting in the face of his teammates, he can still be a leader by his actions.  Bilas believes Lawson exemplifies this type of leadership.

"He led by example, he's always engaged.  But, he's not the type of guy that's going to grab you by the shirt and say come on let's go."

Bilas joins 99.9 FM The Fan each Thursday afternoon.  You can hear his entire conversation with The Insiders by following the link on this page.

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By Coach K is GREAT
Posted Jan 23, 2:19 p.m.

Rank: Pro
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Location: Raleigh, NC

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RE: Bilas: Carolina has leadership in Lawson, just not vocal leadership

yancarrese:

After watching the past few games, Carolina is clearly in trouble. I mean, they haven't won by 30 or more pts. in a long time! They probably should just hang it up for the rest of the season.

They haven't won by 30 in a while b/c the cream puff part of the schedule is over.
Well until you play ST8... ;-)

By yancarrese
Posted Jan 23, 12:48 a.m.

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RE: Bilas: Carolina has leadership in Lawson, just not vocal leadership

After watching the past few games, Carolina is clearly in trouble. I mean, they haven't won by 30 or more pts. in a long time! They probably should just hang it up for the rest of the season.

By demondeacon
Posted Jan 22, 8:34 p.m.

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RE: Bilas: Carolina has leadership in Lawson, just not vocal leadership

Editor Faulkner- proofread is one word! 

- Posted by piller

HA HA HA HA HA TOO FUNNY!!!

By piller
Posted Jan 22, 8:08 p.m.

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Location: Elizabethtown, NC

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RE: Bilas: Carolina has leadership in Lawson, just not vocal leadership

Editor Faulkner- proofread is one word!

By DeathRow-IFeelYourPain-NOT
Posted Jan 22, 7:59 p.m.

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Location: Raleigh, NC

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RE: Bilas: Carolina has leadership in Lawson, just not vocal leadership

At the beginning of the season, Carolina was the overwhelming favorite to win it all. And it was justified. But without Ginyard and Zeller, they have lost that edge. They now are in no better position to win it all than about 6 to 10 other teams. And they aren't even a guaranteed Final Four team anymore. Danny Green can defend another team's best player. But if he needs rest or is in foul trouble, he has to come out. That would have been Ginyard's duty. Hansbrough is great in the middle. But he has to come out sometime, due to needing a rest or foul trouble. That would have been Tyler Zeller's duty. Ginyard and Zeller could start for nearly all D-I Teams. So their loss, even as backups, is HUGE. Carolina has lost their edge. But could still get the job done.