[arlubas]

Anyone else expecting him to have a breakout year? In last year's tourney the guy was a huge lift for NC off the bench and could really be a stud if he gets the playing time and shots called for him.

[johhnywave]

Not really. He is going to be coming off the bench, and rightfully so, because Ginyard is a much better defender and there's enough scoring from the other four where we don't need him (Ginyard) to be a offensive threat. Will Danny be arguably the best sixth man in the country again? Sure, why not. He's going to average double figures, between 3-6 rebounds, be the difference in a few games between win or loss, and probably be in a couple highlight plays, hopefully another on Paula.

I know I am not the only person who is very surprised that he came back. If you know his background and how his father is currently in prison (was big news for what his father was apart of), many people, including myself, have strong suspicions that his father was trying to force Danny to enter the draft so he could have enough money to bail him out. The bail is something near 10 million I think. Then clearly from all the interviews I read during the draft workouts implied that Danny had a misunderstanding with Roy and that he wanted to leave. In fact, if it were not for his injury in Orlando, he would have probably entered the draft and not have been drafted. At least compared to where guys rated much higher than him were taken, e.g., CDR, Walker, Jordan... I am glad to have him back though. If the Heels are going to make any kind of run, Danny is going to be a huge part of it. And Marvin Williams proved that you don't need to be starting to be drafted high. Or in Danny's case, drafted at all.

[dawg5]

^Interesting insight, it will be interesting however that sometimes a 6th man plays himself onto the team because they cant play without him. As arl said at the end of last year the guy was a beast and dunking on paula was a very satisfying moment although deron washington paid him back for it with that inbound lob. His all around ability across the floor would hands down make him push for being a starter over ginyard by early jan but whether his relationship with roy will last that long is another thing

will dawg

[johhnywave]

Well from what I read, it seems like Danny and Roy talked it out and they are on the same page for now. As for Danny starting over Marcus, I can't see it happening. There's a reason why Jackie Manuel was starting on that 2005 team even though he was incapable of being much of an offensive threat and having Marvin Williams breathing down his neck. The defense Jackie (Marcus) played against usually the opposing team's best player for one, keeps Ellington and Lawson fresh, and secondly, allows Tyler to play less aggressive on defense to keep him out of foul trouble. Marcus is a better offensive player than Jackie was and can at least spell the point for small periods of time. It's not like Danny is playing the ordinary sixth man role either. If it's a close game or we are down, Danny is usually in the game so he's playing more of a Ginobili role.

I also think Danny would have to change the way he plays if he were the starter. When he comes in, he knows his sole purpose is to be a scorer, and a lot of the times he is used as the primary scorer. If he were starting then he would have to distribute the ball more, have the ball less in his hands, learn to feed the beast down low, and probably would be forced to guard the best perimeter player of other team. Not saying he can't because he does play well when he's included in the starting line-up as the PF or SF, but he would probably be a different Danny compared to the one most people know.