Brother Phil:The question is a simple one; can Tyler Hansbrough succeed in the NBA? The answer is “YES”. Though I didn’t care much for him at North Carolina, it was mostly because it was North Carolina that he played for.
It’s hard to think that if someone is willing to put in the effort that he seems to be willing to that he wouldn’t be successful. I do however need to put a bit of a qualifier on it. He’ll be successful on the right team. NBA Teams, like teams in other Sports tend to sometimes be fascinated by players whether they fit there system or not. If Hansbrough ends up on a team that doesn’t have a need for someone like him, yeah…he’ll fail. Put him on a veteran team…he may struggle. Put him on a young team and look out. You can quote zillions of examples of players in the NBA, the NFL, the NHL and baseball that have been bad fits on the team that drafts them, many become successful once in the right situation.
To put it simply, you want a guy that will give 1000% every time he goes out there. Just by that alone, he’ll outwork most of the NBA. He has exhibited enough skill, both offensively and defensively, to show he can compete. He doesn’t have to score 30 points or get 20 rebounds a game. He’s the guy that will do the dirty work and rather than complain about it, will just smile.
Look at it this way, if you’ve ever played street ball, he’s the guy who will be on you full court…all the time, every play. You’ll hate him…but his team probably will win.
Look at it this way, if you’ve ever played street ball, he’s the guy who will be on you full court…all the time, every play. You’ll hate him…but his team probably will win.
Wilkie:
Tyler Hansbrough will be a better NBA player than you might think for one simple reason. He’s motivated to prove the critics wrong. Critics who believe his game is very limited for the pro level.
Hansbrough has a crazy work ethic; they don’t call him Psycho “T” for nothing. He will out-work, out-hustle and out-smart anyone on the court. That in itself will bode well in the NBA. The question is can Hansbrough sustain that intensity he displayed at North Carolina in an 82 game NBA season?
All I’ll say is this. Larry Bird never took a game off and you saw how his NBA career turned out.
Hansbrough has shown a nice shooting touch as a power forward at the NBA draft combines. Remember Hansbrough played some facing the basket offensively rather than posting up last season at Carolina. Credit the Tar Heel coaching staff giving Hansbrough those opportunities to expand his game for the NBA level.
Now that I compared Psycho “T” to “Larry Legend” let me say this. I don’t think Hansbrough will achieve superstar status as a NBA player like he did at North Carolina. Who ever selects Hansbrough in the NBA draft will get a starting power forward or 6th man that can play at a high level immediately. Also take into account that Hansbrough comes from a winning program, one where he was the focal point of the team’s success. Hansbrough won’t have that spotlight in the pros nor the added burden of constant double teams.
Hansbrough’s stock is rising to the lottery but going to the mid to low 1st round would be ideal.
Hansbrough has a crazy work ethic; they don’t call him Psycho “T” for nothing. He will out-work, out-hustle and out-smart anyone on the court. That in itself will bode well in the NBA. The question is can Hansbrough sustain that intensity he displayed at North Carolina in an 82 game NBA season?
All I’ll say is this. Larry Bird never took a game off and you saw how his NBA career turned out.
Hansbrough has shown a nice shooting touch as a power forward at the NBA draft combines. Remember Hansbrough played some facing the basket offensively rather than posting up last season at Carolina. Credit the Tar Heel coaching staff giving Hansbrough those opportunities to expand his game for the NBA level.
Now that I compared Psycho “T” to “Larry Legend” let me say this. I don’t think Hansbrough will achieve superstar status as a NBA player like he did at North Carolina. Who ever selects Hansbrough in the NBA draft will get a starting power forward or 6th man that can play at a high level immediately. Also take into account that Hansbrough comes from a winning program, one where he was the focal point of the team’s success. Hansbrough won’t have that spotlight in the pros nor the added burden of constant double teams.
Hansbrough’s stock is rising to the lottery but going to the mid to low 1st round would be ideal.
One Of The Other Guys: Two words- Christian Laettner
Photo Courtesy: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
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