Draft Alert: Ty Lawson Showing His True Potential

Ty Lawson must be happy about his decision to opt out of entering the 2008 NBA Draft. Ty has been playing out of his mind lately, and he has the Tar Heels flying high.

Lawson has improved almost every aspect of his game this year. Compared to last year, he has improved almost all of his stats. By averaging three more points, one more assist, and less turnovers, he has emerged into a real leader for the Tar Heels.

With defensive juggernaut Marcus Ginyard, Freshman Tyler Zeller, and the Will Graves out for the season with injuries and discipline problems, someone had to step up. Carolina is lucky that it was their floor general. A team has to have a solid floor leader to be a force in the NCAA. 

North Carolina has one of the best.

In the Duke vs. North Carolina game Lawson led the Heels with 25 points and five assists, scoring 21 of those in the second half. Lawson carried the team in the second half after ending the first half down by eight.

Lawson's game is shaped around his lightning quick moves, driving ability, skill to finish at the basket, and speed that would make an NFL runningback's jaw drop. He also adds a solid jump shot. In the Duke game, he portrayed all of those traits.

"We didn't think they could stay in front of us," Lawson said. "I just knew I could get to the basket."

In the two North Carolina losses this season Lawson has scored a total of 19 points, nine assists, and eight turnovers, respectively. In those losses, he also was outplayed by the other team's point guard (Tyrese Rice and Jeff Teague).

Ty Lawson is easily one of the favorite point guards in the upcoming NBA draft. Last year, Lawson was a question mark for where he would be in the draft, or if he would be drafted at all. Lawson is playing so well now—he has NBA scouts drooling. He has solidified himself as definite first round pick. If he decides to forgo his senior year, that is.