The Power of Pinson

If you’ve watched the Tar Heels, and of course if you’re a fan, you can’t help but root for Theo Pinson. He makes it easy to love him. He makes plays, and he leaves his heart on the court.

He’s been dubbed the “Energy Guy,” “Lightning Rod” and “Stat Stuffer,” amongst other things. Whatever we call him, we know he’s got “it.” That something that takes this Carolina squad to elite status when sprinkled on top of the performances of [Joel] Berry II, [Justin] Jackson and [Kennedy] Meeks, who are Top 10 in ACC in assists, points and rebounds, respectively.

Pinson’s 12 point, 10 rebound double-double vs. FSU was his coming out party, but his seven points, five rebounds and five assists in only 14 minutes versus Syracuse is the very definition of efficient and effective. He put this on display again in his six minutes against Virginia Tech, scoring five points, grabbing three boards and dishing out two assists.

Now without Pinson again, the Tar Heels will have to rely on Brandon Robinson and Seventh Woods to fill those minutes. In Carolina’s loss at Miami, we saw how much Theo’s energy and playmaking ability was missed. Obviously, Berry II’s two points put Carolina at a disadvantage, but if the Heels want to stay on top of the ACC, they will need to find a solution soon.

As the season moves towards March, it will be a huge plus for Carolina to have Pinson in consistent rotation, helping solidify their core group whose ACC battles should more than prepare them for the madness of March.

Consistent rotations are extremely important for a team’s success. It takes time for players to build chemistry, to gain each other’s trust and to learn each player’s nuances. It’s fun to watch teams and players that have built that chemistry over an extended period of time take the court and perform almost flawlessly. For example, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan in the pick and roll game. They seem to always be on the same page, and one step ahead of the defense.

After just 16 games here in Poland, my team has already made 10 roster changes, making it difficult to find the chemistry the team desires. It’s been a challenge that we have no choice but to face head-on as we continue to fight for our position and a spot in the playoffs. Having great chemistry isn’t the only ingredient in a recipe for success, however. Regardless of whatever problems your team is facing, finding the grit to win difficult games is probably one of the most important qualities of successful teams. There will always be some obstacles to overcome, and in sport, therein lies the beauty.