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UNC Basketball: Antawn Jamison on Lakers, Joel Berry & 2018 Tar Heels

By Blake Cockrum

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Antawn Jamison #4 discuss play after a timeout during a 104-88 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center on January 15, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Antawn Jamison #4 discuss play after a timeout during a 104-88 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center on January 15, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Antawn Jamison dishes on Lakers, LeBron James, Joel Berry II and 2018 Tar Heels

Despite being more than four years removed from his playing days, Antawn Jamison is still actively involved in the game of basketball.

The former University of North Carolina star and 1998 National Player of the Year retired in 2014 after a 17-year NBA career that included All-Rookie honors, an NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award and two All-Star Game appearances.

Jamison didn’t stay away from the game for long, quickly transitioning to a broadcasting role with Time Warner Cable SportsNet and working as a television analyst for Los Angeles Lakers games.

In the fall of 2017, he was hired by the Lakers to be a scout for the organization. That’s the position that he’s held ever since, and the one that gave him a first-person perspective of the LeBron James acquisition earlier this month.

"“. . . Definitely an exciting time,” Jamison told the Charlotte Observer. “After I retired, I started doing some work for the Lakers, and I’ve kind of seen them try to figure some things out. A couple of coaching changes and in the front office. Magic Johnson is Magic. He’s made a promise to the Buss family and also to Laker Nation that he’s going to figure things out, and what better way than for probably the best player of this generation to join your organization?So there’s a lot of excitement around the Lakers’ fans and the NBA about LeBron joining the Lakers, and for myself, it just gives you that extra boost of energy to make sure you’re holding up your end of the bargain. Definitely some fun times.”"

Jamison also had the opportunity to observe a number of players during NBA Summer League play in early July, and he was impressed with a pair of former Tar Heels.

"“Joel Berry was doing well until he got hurt, but they loved the way he competed and what he was doing,” Jamison said. “I kind of knew he would sign to the G-League, so he’s excited. And Theo Pinson did a great job. We tried to get him with the Lakers, as well. Magic really liked him.”"

The former first team All-American and ACC Player of the Year still visits Chapel Hill on a regular basis, calling it his “second home”. In doing so, he’s gotten to see the current Tar Heels a bit, and experience some of the excitement surrounding the team.

He’s particularly enthusiastic about the Tar Heels’ highly touted incoming freshman class, as well as the trio of returning senior starters. He likes what he’s seen to this point, and feels like they’ve got the ability to compete for a national championship in 2019.

"“It’s going to depend on our bigs. If our bigs can step up and compete,” Jamison said. “. . . And then the Little kid? Phew. He’s a special talent. But we need the rest of our bigs from last year, Garrison and all those guys, to improve. Because I’ve seen the other point guard who’s coming in, and I’ve seen Little play. We’re not going to miss a beat. We’re going to have those guys competing. And then we’ve got a couple of veterans coming back who have been there before. We just need those bigs to control the paint on both ends of the floor.”"

Jamison also talked about the many complexities of the one-and-done rule, and the likelihood of its repeal in the coming seasons. While he acknowledged that there are both positives and negatives involved, he feels like it would help the NCAA overall, while hurting the NBA.

He cited the amount of young players who entered the NBA Draft in June that he felt should have gone back to college for another year. He also stated the need for a more developed minor league system with a more enticing pay structure.

Next: Tar Heels spotted with class of 2020's top player

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