Who Can We Least Afford to Lose?

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Before people freak out about being jinxed, imagine some good reason why a player might take a year off. Some special award or once-in-a-lifetime activity. Some religious obligation. An extended honeymoon. Being selected and having to train for a stay on the Space Station. Whatever. Use your imagination.

The question is, who can we least afford to lose?

It isn't always the best player that hurts the most to lose. For example, on a team with Barnes, Zeller, Henson, and Bullock, Kendall probably wasn't our best player. But he was certainly the guy we couldn't afford to lose. We all saw that, notwithstanding a very credible effort by Stilman.

Joel and Justin enter the season as our best returning players. So my first reaction was to pick Joel - who I think could be our most important player this season. But we have solid backups for both of them - Nate and Theo, respectively - and even enough depth to choose from at those positions to back up the backups. So as important as Joel is, I think we could adapt pretty well.

How about Isaiah or Kennedy? As thin as we are up front, would losing one of them be more of a problem?

 

[dadika13]

Hicks. We're thin up front and I don't think Tony's ready to play the 4. 20+ minutes of Luke Maye this season scares me to death.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

smh

 

[dadika13]

smh

Mike, you think we're a final four team with a sophomore walk on getting 20+ minutes per game? I do not believe that we are.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

Mike, you think we're a final four team with a sophomore walk on getting 20+ minutes per game? I do not believe that we are.

That was not in response to you. Just the topic in general.

 

[gary-7]

Before people freak out about being jinxed, imagine some good reason why a player might take a year off. Some special award or once-in-a-lifetime activity. Some religious obligation. An extended honeymoon. Being selected and having to train for a stay on the Space Station. Whatever. Use your imagination.

The question is, who can we least afford to lose?

It isn't always the best player that hurts the most to lose. For example, on a team with Barnes, Zeller, Henson, and Bullock, Kendall probably wasn't our best player. But he was certainly the guy we couldn't afford to lose. We all saw that, notwithstanding a very credible effort by Stilman.

Joel and Justin enter the season as our best returning players. So my first reaction was to pick Joel - who I think could be our most important player this season. But we have solid backups for both of them - Nate and Theo, respectively - and even enough depth to choose from at those positions to back up the backups. So as important as Joel is, I think we could adapt pretty well.

How about Isaiah or Kennedy? As thin as we are up front, would losing one of them be more of a problem?

What's wrong with you?
Arright, jinx-boy. The answer is JB.

 

[Scoops Heels]

Why would anyone start a thread with this topic? Your answer is no one!

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

There are always some people who not only can't think outside the box but get mad when others do. And some who are able to do so without problems. We see both in this thread.

Interestingly, only one of those groups gets aggressive.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

And we see those who try and stir up trouble where there is none. 2 way street.

 

[BillyL]

There are always some people who not only can't think outside the box but get mad when others do. And some who are able to do so without problems. We see both in this thread.

Interestingly, only one of those groups gets aggressive.

Too many folks on this board try to control the narrative, and there are several that feel they simply must chime in on every thread and every reply. Thats why argument after argument is spawned . . some peeps feel the need to attack an opinion because its different than their own.

There was nothing wrong with this thread, WWJD . .

. . and btw, the most logical answer to your question is Isaiah Hicks. But, we simply cannot afford to lose Joel or Justin either.

jmho and for those that don't like my opine . . . GMAFB

 

[mikeirbyusa]

So, different opinions are not welcome?

Oldschool guys KNOW this is the last thing you talk about BEFORE the season even begins.

But carry on with your little "us against them" theme Billy.

 

[BillyL]

So, different opinions are not welcome?

Oldschool guys KNOW this is the last thing you talk about BEFORE the season even begins.

But carry on with your little "us against them" theme Billy.

Differing opinions are always welcome . .

LOL at the 'us versus them' comment.

Please do continue on with your bias though.

 

[imajericho]

The answer is the same year as it has been for every year UNC has been great.

The PG.

Joel Berry.

Whether is was 05 with Felton or 09 with Lawson or 12 with Marshall or today with Berry. Hell, we probably win the championship last year if Berry hadn't clearly tweaked something after that layup last year.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

No bias here, stand totally on my own, always have, always will voice my opinion which is strictly mine.

 

[Butterbutt44]

I don't think this team can afford any injuries to be honest unless they are just minor ones. But if I had to pick one it'd be berry. I mean we saw what happened when butter went down and that was a much more talented roster. Beyond that I'd say hicks as well.

 

[dadika13]

I don't think this team can afford any injuries to be honest unless they are just minor ones. But if I had to pick one it'd be berry. I mean we saw what happened when butter went down and that was a much more talented roster. Beyond that I'd say hicks as well.

But we had no one to back up Butter. Stillman as a freshman was in no way ready to step in that situation.

I trust Britt. That said, obviously JB going down would be disastrous.

 

[Butterbutt44]

True. But I don't think this is anywhere close to a final 4 team with Nate running the point. That's not a shot at him by the way he's been a great asset, it's just that Joel takes the team to a different level.

 

[gary-7]

Differing opinions are always welcome . .

LOL at the 'us versus them' comment.

Please do continue on with your bias though.

Billy, what are you even talking about here? As for me I'm just giving WWJD friendly sh** for a jinx thread. But like you, I offered an answer.

 

[RP12]

Worst case without Hicks for the season we lose a few more games by not being able to match up with other teams' bigs but mostly use depth to adjust. Without Berry we would struggle to be a top 4 seed, and worst case be a bubble team.

Just my opinion obvi.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

And we see those who try and stir up trouble where there is none. 2 way street.

I REALLY don't understand why you characterize asking a question like that as stirring up trouble.

Can you explain what you mean?

 

[heelbent]

Good morning posters! How about we try something different today and just stick to the question at hand! Wouldn't that be refreshing!

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Worst case without Hicks for the season we lose a few more games by not being able to match up with other teams' bigs but mostly use depth to adjust. Without Berry we would struggle to be a top 4 seed, and worst case be a bubble team.

Just my opinion obvi.

I think that's the choice it probably comes down to.

My third choice would probably be Kennedy.

Again, Justin is probably a stronger all-around player but we have Theo who can step in to his position - and plenty of guys to fill the hole Theo would leave at SG. So Justin would be a big loss, but we could fill it a lot more easily than Isaiah or Kennedy.

You could also argue that Theo could step in at the 4 - which he did some last season. But while that's a good strategy in some games, I don't think it works for a season. Just giving up too much height and heft and there are too many teams who would make us pay.

 

[BillyL]

I doubt we win a Title without Berry at the point, losing any of KM, TB or IH would be just very difficult to overcome IMO . .

What I wouldn't give to have a totally injury-free season for a change, and this upcoming year looks to be the one when it is needed the most.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

I REALLY don't understand why you characterize asking a question like that as stirring up trouble.

Can you explain what you mean?

Old school wwjd. Bad karma, nothing against you just some things should not be discussed. Jmhho

 

[BillyL]

I hear ya on that bad karma and all . . but, the lack of one of these type threads on this board hasn't exactly been a good omen the past 7 years.

Maybe, this one might break the trend . .

Just a thought . .

Y'all may carry on now . .

 

[Archer2]

Old school wwjd. Bad karma, nothing against you just some things should not be discussed. Jmhho

I'm with you Mike. Just another old schooler who thinks this is akin to spitting into the wind. IOW, just plain bad karma. Lord knows we don't need any more of that as we've had more than our share in recent years. I know WWJD meant nothing bad by it but topics like this make me very nervous as I've seen too many of our teams derailed by injuries.

 

[BillyL]

I'm with you Mike. Just another old schooler who thinks this is akin to spitting into the wind. IOW, just plain bad karma. Lord knows we don't need any more of that as we've had more than our share in recent years. I know WWJD meant nothing bad by it but topics like this make me very nervous as I've seen too many of our teams derailed by injuries.

WWJD is a poster that likes to start a lot of threads, thats been his MO for years . . he was just keeping the board moving and meant no harm . .

We'll be alright . .

 

[Archer2]

WWJD is a poster that likes to start a lot of threads, thats been his MO for years . . he was just keeping the board moving and meant no harm . .

We'll be alright . .

Oh, I agree wholeheartedly with what you say about WWJD. One can always count on him starting some very interesting threads every season. He's a good guy. This topic just makes me nervous. Call me superstitious but...

 

[BillyL]

Oh, I agree wholeheartedly with what you say about WWJD. One can always count on him starting some very interesting threads every season. He's a good guy. This topic just makes me nervous. Call me superstitious but...

Scott . . I hear ya, Bro' . .

I'm somewhat superstitious my own self . .

 

[mikeirbyusa]

WWJD is a poster that likes to start a lot of threads, thats been his MO for years . . he was just keeping the board moving and meant no harm . .

We'll be alright . .

WWJD is a very good poster, somedays I'm just cranky. And others I'm worse.

 

[BillyL]

somedays I'm just cranky. And others I'm worse.

If, I had as much on my plate as you do yours, I'd be freaking miserable everyday.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

To much to live for!

 

[BillyL]

Would it be in poor taste if we started a 'Who Can dOOk Least Afford To Lose' thread . . ?

Jus' curious . .

 

[shun1]

To much to live for!

Mike as always, you have a great SPIRIT. THANK GOD

 

[UNC Blue Hup]

I'll answer it..(though I hate it) even though Berry is our best player, I'd say Hicks..depth upfront..now shut this topic down

 

[Ozheelfan]

.....

What I wouldn't give to have a totally injury-free season for a change, and this upcoming year looks to be the one when it is needed the most.

Karma shmarma, I don't give a crap.... I suggest we toss every horseshoe, knock on wood till knuckles bleed and rub every rabbits foot till it becomes creepy just to see a clear season!

 

[gunslingerdick]

There was nothing wrong with this thread, WWJD . .

Agreed.

The answer is Joel. I get that we have Nate and I love Nate. And I get that the best player is not always the most valuable due to variables such as roster make up, etc. But it's still Joel. He brings a toughness that no one else on the team has.

 

[coryfly]

I think one could make an argument for Joel or Hicks. I think the better argument is for Berry because he is the PG but he also has the more capable backup. We have no one to back up Hicks (in terms of what he is and can do). I think the key to the season is Hicks because we need to replace Brice more than Paige IMO. So in that sense I would probably go with Hicks but certainly think a hell of an argument is there for Berry.

 

[coryfly]

Would it be in poor taste if we started a 'Who Can dOOk Least Afford To Lose' thread . . ?

Jus' curious . .

As much as Mike likes Duke threads I'm sure he would love that, haha.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

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