AN EXTENSION OF THE COACH ON THE COURT

As a coach, I've always felt my most valuable player on the court was my point guard, and over the years I've had many PG's that were great ball handlers, but it was a rare thing to have one with a "true" PG mindset.  I came across an article in the Charlotte Observer that really summed up the kind of PG every coach wants.

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Since Kendall Marshall took over the starting point guard job on Jan. 18, the Tar Heels have picked up their pace and scoring average, winning nine of 10 games.  When former starter Larry Drew II abruptly opted to transfer in early February, Marshall was left as the team's only true ballhandler.  Since then, he has become an extension of Tar Heels coach Roy Williams on the floor.

"He understands time and score better than most people," Williams said.  "He understands who's hot and who's not; he understands who's in foul trouble on the other team.  He's a thinking man's point guard, with a lot of ability, too."

It's one thing to want to pass to teammates from seemingly impossible angles; it's another thing to actually be able to do it.

"Passing is something you have to think about, more than action," he said.  "You have the mechanics - thumbs down and things like that.  But at the end of the day, you just have to know where your teammates want the ball without the defender getting in the way."

(Thanks Charlotte Observer)