Going Home Again-Roy Williams

Building A Team

Andy Kaasa — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:32:27 +0000

Marvin Williams also lessens the burden on Jawad Williams. Since Jawad's arrival at Carolina, he's been squeezed into a post role. But while his 6-foot-9 height suggest that's where he belongs, his game is more suited to the wing. With Marvin Williams on the roster, suddenly it's not automatically Jawad William's responsibility to be the secondary rebounder behind Sean May.

The various pieces illustrate the complicated nature of building a basketball team. It's not just a simple matter of adding a talented player. It's adding a talented player while factoring in the effect he will have on the existing roster.

Pg 251

If We Win, We'll Get The Awards And Rewards

Andy Kaasa — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:30:28 +0000

In September, Jawad Williams was asked his personal goals for the 2005-2005 campaign.

His response: "If we win, we'll get the awards and rewards. That's what happens when you win as a team."

Pg 247

They Have Become A Team

Andy Kaasa — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:27:44 +0000

The Individuals have become a team. That's why Rashad McCants takes almost 100 fewer shots as a junior than he did as a sophomore. That's why the minutes per game of every player in the rotation other than Jackie Manuel decrease. In the past, those two stats were kept religiously by almost every player on the team.

This year, they pay attention to just one number: wins.

Pg 246

Sometimes The Best Team Doesn't Win

Andy Kaasa — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:25:09 +0000

As he's gotten older, he's started to realize that sometimes you just have to rely on eighteen-year-old kids. You prepare them and get them ready. Sometimes they just may not make the shot. Sometimes the best team simply doesn't win.

Pg 227

Our Problem Is That Everybody Has To Get Theirs

Andy Kaasa — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:20:10 +0000

The head coach begins a lecture on the importance of getting great shots- not just good shots, but great shots. His intensity rises with every word. Finally, his frustration boils over.

"You are six and seven in the league!" he yells, looking up and down the court at every member of the team. "You are in seventh place! You are embarrassing yourselves. I don't know if you have noticed or not, but every time the game is close, you get your butt kicked. Six and seven! And half of you think you are ready for the NBA Draft tomorrow. That's our problem. Everybody has got to get theirs."

Pg 199

No Guns For Coaches

Andy Kaasa — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:18:11 +0000

The poor play in the second half will later prompt Roy Williams to remark, "That is why they don't give guns to coaches."

Pg 184

Water Boy

Andy Kaasa — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:15:32 +0000

Marvin Williams endeared himself to the Carolina staff when they watched him foul out of a summer AAU game and then serve as water boy for his teammates for the rest of the game, bringing them drinks at every timeout without being prompted. It was a small gesture, but the kind of team commitment that's frequently hard to find on the me-first AAU circuit.

Pg 178

You Need Both Leaders And Followers

Andy Kaasa — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:12:20 +0000

It hurts when you try to be a leader and you can't because nobody wants to follow. We try to put other people in a position to follow, but that's hard because everyone on this team has that confidence and swagger about them and doesn't understand why they need to follow instead of lead.

-Rashad McCants

Pgs 176-177

The Coach Is The One Required To Get Through To Them

Andy Kaasa — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:09:09 +0000

Despite his frustration, William's competitiveness prevents him from blaming the players. He is the head coach. He is the one required to get through to them. That is the source of his frustration, and that is what prevents him from throwing up his hands and writing off the players as uncoachable.

Pg 152

Don't Think Too Much

Andy Kaasa — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:06:31 +0000

I think the big adjustment for me was just to play. Just to get out there and have fun and enjoy myself. I've been thinking too much and the game hasn't been very fun. When I think a lot, it hurts my game.

-Rashad McCants

Pg 134