Tom Talks

Too much (Stephen) Curry? I disagree

    Stephen Curry played in and helped put on the Curry Celebrity Classic Monday, a golf tournament that benefits the Ada Jenkins Center. I wanted to go. But I wrote about Stephen and golf a couple weeks ago.

     Whenever I write about Stephen, I get two reactions. The first is: Great guy, great player. The second is: You're writing about Curry again?

     I'm biased. I feel as if I know three Currys -- Stephen, his father Dell and Dell's sister Jackie. I've interviewed Dell's son, Stephen's brother and Jackie's nephew Seth. But I don't know him. He is the least talkative of the Currys.

     I like all Currys, and I like writing about them. Every city has first family of a specific sport, and the Currys are Charlotte's first family of basketball.

      They have something to say -- Seth in fewer words -- and they say it well. And there's no pretension.

     I don't mind the Curry overkill backlash. I'd rather be criticized by readers than not be read.

     But going to the golf tournament Monday felt like too much.

     Besides, I plan to write about Seth before the NBA draft.

 

 

San Antonio's Boris Diaw is the Glove XXXL

 

  Paul Silas, the former Charlotte Bobcats coach who worked so hard as a player, once told me that if he had Boris Diaw's talent he'd be in the Hall of Fame.

     Diaw (shown on the right in the photo), who played for Silas in Charlotte, offers slick inside moves, handles the ball, shoots all right and is an outstanding passer. When he plays hard, he can be outstanding. But he isn't driven the way some people are.

      Diaw, however, added a quality to his game against Miami Sunday. He became a shutdown defender. He was often matched against LeBron James. According to ESPN, Diaw held james to one field goal in nine field goal attempts. LeBron was one of eight.

        I never understood Diaw but I like him. He was always gracious and courteous, and his game evolved.

      He was a high-flyer when he came to the NBA from France. He doesn't fly anymore. He looks more like a 6-8 nose tackle than a nimble forward. But he provides a nice alternative for the Spurs.

     And, unlike fellow former Bobcat and Spur Stephen Jackson, he doesn't complain about the absence of playing time.

      I picked Miami before the NBA Finals and I'll stick with the Heat. As is their custom, the Heat probably will come out roaring after their loss and push the series to game seven in Miami.

     But San Antonio's poise is remarkable, as is their ability to surprise. Manu Ginobili has looked like a guy who used to be good. Then, for the first time all season, he started Sunday. And for the first time since 2008, he scored 24 points and added 10 assists.

      For perspective, In 2008 LeBron James played for Cleveland.

      Can Miami really overcome Ginobili, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard and Shutdown Boris Diaw in consecutive games?

       Yes.

Jerry Richardson's $10 million donation to Charlotte 49ers a classy move

   Classy move by Panther owner Jerry Richardson donating $10 million to the Charlotte 49ers for their football stadium.

    He knows he'll be criticized by people who think he should have spent the money on elevators and enhanced suites at Bank of America Stadium.

     He knows those people see the public money Charlotte offered as a gift and not an investment.

     He knows a lot of people wake up looking for a reason to be angry and he provided one.

     He, unfortnately worries what people think of him.

      Yet Richardson did the honorable thing anyway.

      It's fitting -- the sometimes maligned owner joining with the often ignored school.

 

 

 

Welcome back Tim Tebow

   Happy to see Tim Tebow get another shot at the NFL. New England didn't sign him to attract attention, or to show up the New York Jets, who allowed Tebow to dangle as a distraction last season before tehy jettisoned him.

    I have no idea if Tebow is an NFL quarterback. I don't know if he's a reliable backup or somebody a team brings in as a chance of pace.

    I respect Tebow much more than I respect his game. Met him through a mutal friend in Florida, and Tebow was gracious and unpretentious and curious and really big.

     The overt religious acts, which are part of who he is, are neither a big deal nor offensive.

      So welcome back to the NFL, Tim. Whether it works or not, you'll get your chance, and Rex Ryan won't be involved.

       What New England coach Bill Belichick does better than any other coach is honor his committment to his reserves. If he says, "You'll play in this situation," you'll play in that situation, regardless of how close the score is.

      If Belichick tells Tebow he'll get a chance, Tebow will get a chance.

      For what more can Tebow ask?

 

 

20-year-old UNC star P.J. Hairston charged with possession of pot. Oh, no.

    If I were a major college basketball coach, and one of my players was charged with possession of marijuana and driving without a license, this is what I'd do:

     Talk to him.

       I'd tell him that because he's a star he'll be scrutinized more heavily than other students. I'd remind him he'll also have opportunities those students lack. I'd advise him to be more careful.

       If I wanted to show him I was tough maybe I'd make him run some steps.

       But I wouldn't suspend him. I wouldn't overreact.

        Hairston won't turn 21 until December. How many of you were once 20-years-old? (Not all of you, I'm convinced.) How many of you were away at school, or with your buddies in your own apartment? Remember the stuff you did?

        This is not a big deal and would not be a big deal if Hairston played for N.C. State, Duke, Wake Forest, Charlotte or Davidson.

          It was just a kid who happens to play big-time basketball being a kid.

 

 

 

 

 

Armanti Edwards makes catch of the day at Carolina Panther practice

     Armanti Edwards lined up with the first team offense late at Carolina's final OTA late Thursday morning. He ran a go route down the left side. Checking him was cornerback Josh Norman.

      The defense was in a cover two and the safety went inside. So it was just Edwards and Norman. Cam Newton lofted the ball high and Edwards leaped, snatched the ball out of the air and held on when he hit the ground.

       Many fans don't expect Edwards to make the team. They didn't expect him to make it last season. Competition was added this offseason when the Panthers signed return man/receiver Ted Ginn Jr. in March and receiver Dominik Hixon in April.

        How did Edwards react to the signings?

         He says Carolina added more talent. He says the Panthers have added receivers every season he's been with the team.

          How he does he react to the criticism?

          Edwards says he doesn't hear it. He doesn't read the newspaper.             

 

 

LeBron and the Miami Heat in six

     Everybody says the same thing about the Miami-San Antonio series.

     They respect the Spurs. They love Duncan's versatility and Tony Parker's ability to run the team. Manu Ginobili is smart and effective and always where he's supposed to be. The bench is deep and the coaching is fantastic.

      Then they pick Miami to win.

      I wish I could disagree. But I can't pick against LeBron and the fellows. I think Dwayne Wade or Chris Bosh will have good games and one of them will have a good series. I think Ray Allen or Shane Battier or Mike Miller will get hot outside.

       As good as LeBron has been in the playoffs, I think he'll be better.

        This is his time. He'll continue to work outside, inside, play superb defense and rebound, and he'll get teammates the ball where they want it when they want it.

          Both teams are selfless.

           If kids are looking for players or teams  to model their games after, this is a fine place to start.

          Miami in six.

 

 

Bobcats draft: Oladipo, McLemore or Len.

   I wrote the night of the lottery that a player the Charlotte Bobcats should consider with the No. 4 pick is Maryland's 7-1 Alex Len. The Bobcats don't have a real center, or didn't last season. Bismack Biyombo, who believe it or not is improving, is a power forward. Brendon Haywood was, at least under previous coach Mike Dunlap, on the end of the bench and out of the rotation.

     But: Either Ben McLemore or Victor Oladipo should be available when the Bobcats choose. They're both shooting guards, they're both athletes and Oladipo is as versatile as any player in the draft.

      I'd love to be one of those columnists who always knows the one true way, but I don't, at least I don't know. But I don't have to. The draft isn't until June 27.

       XXX

       I love our newspaper's new policy: No more anonymity. That's the idea, anyway. From now, readers have to sign their message board posts.

       I get some nasty email. Everybody who has a job that's remotely public does. There are a lot of people who wake up angry, and the majority of them lack names.

        I answer almost every signed email I receive, although if you send five a day, I can't promise I'll answer them all.

       When I receive an email that's not signed, however,  take neither it, nor it's author, seriously.

        If you lack the courage to sign your name, how important can your message be?

        XXX

        The Atlanta Hawks sent letters to potential ticket buyers that at least implied Chris Paul and Dwight Howard would play for the team next season.

         The letter wasn't totally inaccurate. Paul and Howard will play in Atlanta next season. They'll play there on road trips.

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are LeBron and the fellows too small? Or are they too good?

   I love the NBA playoffs. I loved them more when Golden State and the Knicks were in because I had a team I desperately wanted to win (the Warriors) and a team I desperately wanted to lose (New York).

    Problem with game seven of the Miami-Indiana series is that I like both teams. But I like Miami more.

    LeBron is so versatile and so much fun to watch. When was the last time a superstar, other than a point guard, came into the league wanting to pass? Larry Bird?

     LeBron can score inside or out, rebound and handle the ball. But one of the qualities that distinguishes him is that he makes passes other big men don't even see. When he was criticized for not taking over games it often was because he was looking for teammates.

      That criticism no longer is valid.

      Also not valid are so many members of the media. I listened and watched after the series left Miami with the teams tied with one victory apiece and, oh my gawd, the Heat don't have a chance. The Pacers are too big and too strong.

      Then Miami destroyed the Pacers in Indiana. A guy on ESPN said the Pacers have no chance, no chance. Miami is too good.

     Of course the Pacers had a chance. They always had a chance. Some of us want so desperately to be first that we skew logic to make a grand pronouncement. If so, we have to account for it.

     Indiana has a chance in game seven in Miami tonight.

     But even with Dwayne Wade injured and Chris Bosh playing timidly, the Heat have the best player in basketball, a very good coach and home court.

      I think Miami wins. Then the Heat will play San Antonio.

     And look out -- after the first game that series could be over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte basketball coach Alan Major receives three-year extension. Why?

    The Charlotte 49ers signed basketball coach Alan Major to a three-year contract extension Thursday.

     I have no idea why.

      Major had two years remaining on his original five-year contract. He won 21 games last season. But the schedule was user friendly and the team was tough to watch. They played tremendous defense. It was as if they played defense when they had the ball.

      Major might be the coach to rebuild the program.

      But I have yet to see evidence.

      Has athletic director Judy Rose?

        If so, what is it?