UNC Basketball: How Good Can PJ Hairston Be in 2012?

PJ Hairston had a forgettable freshman season.  His stat line was miserable to say the least, embarrassing to be blunt.  Hairston came into Carolina a five star stud ready with a fierce all around game to contribute as a freshman.  His 6-5, 220 lbs frame made him ideal for slicing to the basket and using his size to abuse smaller shooting guards.  His sweet and natural jump shot and half court range made him the most hyped shooter in the class.

Then the season happened.  PJ had a couple nice games early in the year but then faded and faded hard.  Hairston became a stand still three point shooter who struggled to hit anything.  Often, his shot was so off, he barley drew iron.  It got to a point in the season that Hairston was almost impeding the teams offense.  It made more sense to have Justin Watts on the floor, simply to get something out of those minutes.

His final stat line, 13 minutes, 5.7 points on just 30.8% shooting, 27% from three, was  a huge disappointment to say the least.   The Heels were gutted of their top offensive talent when Kendall Marshall, Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Tyler Zeller leaving for the NBA.  The perimeter is stacked with returning talent and Hairston will have to earn his minutes this upcoming season.

Despite all the subtractions from the roster, UNC should be much better, and much deeper on the perimeter.  Dexter Strickland and Leslie McDonald return from season ending injuries and JP Tokoto comes on board with the 2012 recruiting class.  It’s going to be a battle for minutes on the wings in Carolina.  And PJ Hairston has as good of a chance as anybody to break out from the pack and become a leader on the 2012 Tar Heels.

Reggie Bullock is assumed by many to be the starter next season at small forward.  Bullock did a nice job filling in for Strickland the second half of the season and will be given every opportunity to become a star.  Hairston will have to show early that he can offer the same type of defensive play as Bullock.  Roy Williams values defense, if anybody’s going to beat out Bullock and Strickland, the teams most accomplished perimeter defenders, they will have to do so on both sides of the floor.

Hairston will have to use his body more and let his whole game out in 2012.  PJ seemed too reserved in the half court offense, rarely letting his athleticism be seen.  Hairston is fierce attacking the basket, when he struggles with his outside shot he needs to attack the defense and create higher percentage shots.  An excellent free throw shooter, Hairston rarely got to the line in his freshman campaign.

Making the game easier is key.  Defenses knew they could relax on the immobile Hairston, only needing to collapse if the ball is swung to his spot.  Hairston needs to establish himself as a play maker and learn to get open and find his spots on the court.  Hairston became far too predictable last season.  If he simply opens up, he could sneak up on people fast this season.

Confidence and playing time are the two key elements that Hairston is going to need next season.  He’ll be given every opportunity to show he can be a complete player.  I expect him to shine out from under the shadow the big four cast on him.  I watched Hairston a lot his senior season in high school.

Like fellow sophomore James Michael McAdoo, he’s an athletic freak of nature.  But unlike most that fit that mold, Hairston is a basketball player first.  When these two put it all together, they both have a chance at being truly special players.  We got a chance to see a little of that with McAdoo when John Henson went down in the postseason.  Hairston did not receive an opportunity like that, but I think the results will be similar in their sophomore campaigns.

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