Four-toed Lawson still equals UNC win
Mar 8, 2009
Even on just “four toes.” Ty Lawson showed once again why he is the key to North Carolina marching to Detroit.
The junior guard, who could have been playing in his last game at the Smith Center, was not 100 percent but still managed 13 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in another win over Duke. Lawson was not nearly as explosive as he was in the earlier meeting in Durham; however he was effective enough to keep his record unblemished in the “Battle of the Blues.”
When the ballots are tallied, Lawson should be named the ACC Player of the Year. He has come along the 0-2 start in ACC play and it is no coincidence those were Lawson’s worst two games of the year.
When he is on, so are the Tar Heels. This season Lawson has shown he can beat you so many ways, whether it’s a blow-by drive and strong finish at the rim or with his improved jumper that has bailed the Tar Heels out on several occasions this year.
When healthy, he’s un-guardable. He has also shown to have a real good feel for the game this season. Former Tar Heel point guard Raymond Felton told me earlier this week that he sees that as the biggest sign of maturation with Lawson. Some nights the point guard needs to shot a lot in order to win and other nights it is more about passing. The most important stat for any point guard is W’s.
Certainly the Heels are going to see more games like the last two they have won as they move on into tournament play. The games will be more half-court oriented and less of the fast tempo that the Heels thrive in.
So far they have shown they are up for the challenge and, fortunately for Tar Heel fans, it looks like Ty’s toe will not slow him down enough to keep him leading the March to Detroit.
