Heels in the Pros (NBA) 01/03/12
Unfortunately due to family matters I been a bit absent from posting, but that should have been settled and now I can come back and give you my daily post about the former Carolina players now in the NBA which I call “Heels in the Pros” (NBA) for 01/03/12. In all there were six games on tap last night in the National Basketball Association, of those games half had a former UNC player on their roster. With the new year ranking third in the AP and fourth in the ESPN/USA Todays polls it is nice to see that the present team is following in the shoes of players before them. So, without further ado, let’s get this edition of “Heels in the Pros” (NBA) for January 3, 2012…
In the first game of the night it’s the Charlotte Bobcats (EC ~ Southeast) going north to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (EC ~ Central) in what is the first of three games between the franchises. The game was played in front of 14,173 at the Quicken Loans Arena. For the home team it’s long time pro Antawn Jamison, who starts at the power forward slot and tets a total of 26 minutes. In that time the 16 year veteran scores 19 points (7 for 16 ~ 2 for 5 ~ 3 for 5) to go with six rebounds, two steals, two blocks and an assist while having a +11 points differential. As far as the game went it was Cleveland (3-2, 2-1 at home) beating Charlotte (1-4, 0-2 on the road) by the final of 115 to 101. According to Jeff Sack, at Pro Hoops Central, Irving and Thompson were key in this win. With the W the Cavs second in the conference, half a game behind division leader Chicago.
The second game of the night with a touch of carolina blue is the one that has the Atlanta Hawks (EC ~ Southeast) going to the windy city to take on the Chicago Bulls (EC ~ Central) in what is the first of four game between the clubs. The game was played at the United Center in front of an attendance that numbered 22,166. For the visiting team we have Marvin Williams, who starts at the small forward spot, where he gets 32 minutes in all. In that time frame the seventh year man score 14 points (5 for 10 ~ 0 for 0 ~ 4 for 7) to go with eight boards, two assists, a steal and a TO while having a pts differential of +7. The other former Tar Heel on the team, Jerry Stackhouse, does not play in this one (DNP) due to a coach’s decision. In the end in this one it was Chicago (5-1, 2-0 at home) winning by a duece, taking down Atlanta (4-2, 2-2 on the road) 76 to 74. With the loss the Hawks slide to second place in their division, one game back of division leading Miami.
Finally, in the last game of the night, we havea divisional match-up between the Portland Trail Blazers (WC ~ Northwest) taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder (WC ~ Northwest) in what is the first of four games. The game, played at Chesapeake Energy Arena, had a crowd that numbered 18,203. For the visiting squad we have seventh year pro Raymond Felton, who starts at point guard and plays 36 minutes in all. In that time the floor general scores a dozen points (4 for 11 ~ 1 for 3 ~ 3 for 4) to go with six boards, steals, two assists, a block and three TOs to go with a +7 pts differential. As far as the game went it was Portland (4-1, 1-1 on the road) winning this one by ten, defeating Oklahoma City (5-2, 3-1 at home) 103 to 93. With the W the Trail Blazers are tied for first place with OKC in the division, half a game ahead of Denver.
With ten days gone in the season there are no undefeated teams in the league, and four with one loss, while there is still one team without a win, the Washington Wizards, along with two teams with just one win. In all there are four teams 2.5 games (or more) back of their division leaders. In Hollinger’s NBA power rankings only the Denver Nuggets are a team with a touch of carolina blue in the Top Five. Three more join them, Spurs/Mavs/Trail Blazers, in the Top 10.
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