James Michael McAdoo Ponders….UNC Holds Its Breath
By Matt Hamm
The North Carolina Tar Heels have lost a ton of talent already, more than any team in the nation has or will lose this off season (maybe rivaled by Kentucky). Tyler Zeller and Justin Watts had to graduate, we all knew that was coming. Then John Henson, Harrison Barnes and Kendall Marshall all decided to declare for the NBA Draft. And now, freshman James Michael McAdoo ponders, and the longer he waits, the worse that feeling in my gut telling me he’s going to leave with the others gets.
I have to admit, it’s a hard decision to make for a young man. He had no idea when he committed to Carolina that Zeller and Henson would all return and bury him on the bench. Sure his numbers are nothing to gawk at 6.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 15 minutes, still, this kid is a lottery pick. The NBA offers guaranteed contracts with millions of dollars. Being a lottery pick is basically the goal of every player with a legit chance of going in the first round someday. Kendall Marshall realized that after lighting it up in the month of March, his stock was high enough for him to take the leap. Henson figured he didn’t need to work on his frail body anymore and threw his name in the hat. So why not me, McAdoo must he thinking. I’m sure he went against these guys everyday in practice and showed a whole lot more than he did early in the season as a confused freshman struggling to adapt to the college game. Then he got his chance and shined when Henson fractured his wrist in the preseason.
McAdoo and the rest of the world and most importantly, scouts know that he would star his freshman season in Carolina. We as Tar Heel fans want him back desperately. But I can understand a young man wanting to take the jump, it is his dream and it’s now within grasp, that’s got to be hard not to take.
The reason it’s ridiculous McAdoo is even considering jumping pro now is all the examples recently of why a player in his position shouldn’t. Brendan Wright, Ed Davis, Marvin Williams are the exact same player as McAdoo. Ultra talented, big, crazy athletic, came off the bench for Carolina and played big roles at some point in their young Tar Heel careers. And then didn’t really do much in the NBA (Marvin has been decent, but I will always contend another year would have done him a lot of good). Sure McAdoo could go pro and star right away, it’s not likely though. More than likely what you would see is exactly what you saw early in the season this year. A timid player, unsure of how to adapt his game to the next level, again. Only this time, it’s the ultimate level and he won’t have chance after chance to prove himself. McAdoo has a chance to comeback and be the leader of the UNC Tar Heels after being only a role player as a freshman. Another year to work on his body, his skills and his post game to get ready for the pro’s.
After UNC initially lost to Kansas in the Elite 8, McAdoo said he would likely return to Chapel Hill for his sophomore year. Then his Dad reiterated that and said he would take the weekend to decide. Now, word is it could be another week before the decision is made. McAdoo has until April 10th to declare his intentions. He can “test the waters” and pull out and return to his college team by April 29th as long as he does not hire an agent. Until then, Tar Heel nation holds its breath, despite what the reactions of the loss of the big 4 has been. With McAdoo next year, this is a very good team that I believe will surprise people. Without him, a lot of burden falls on the freshman and it’s likely a year with lots of bumps in the road ahead.
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