North Carolina's Dexter Strickland: “I'm Just Really Focusing on My Shot"

Ever since Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Piece joined forces in Boston, we have all become obsessed with the "Big Three.”

The truth is, good players will always be good, but it is the supporting players that determine the outcome of the season.

LeBron James and the Miami Heat lost to Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals because they just do not have that special player to bridge the gap between him and Dwyane Wade.

Rajon Rondo was the key guy that helped the Celtics win. If you want a college example, look no further than the University of North Carolina's rival, the Duke Blue Devils.

Without Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas, the Blue Devils would not have celebrated a championship in 2010.

For North Carolina, it will be whoever plays the most minutes around John Henson, Kendall Marshall, Harrison Barnes and Tyler Zeller.

Henson is a rebound machine, Barnes can get his shot off any time he wants and Zeller is one of the most efficient low-post scorers in college basketball.

Andy Katz just did a great story on Marshall, comparing him to Rondo, which is very fitting, as the Tar Heels' season last year turned around when Marshall was given more playing time.

One player on UNC that always leave me in awe is Dexter Strickland.

They guy is just a blur. He puts the "fast" in fast break.  He still needs to work on his shot because he was very predictable last season, always looking to dribble penetrate.

If he could consistently make that mid-range jumper, it would give him the space he needs to drive to the ring, where he is a very good finisher for being 6'3''. Defenders will not lag off him or place a secondary defender to take the charge, as per the video above.

“I’m just really focusing on my shot," Strickland told Scout.com when asked what his focus was for the offseason.

As a combo guard, he may be called upon to back up Kendall Marshall, who averaged almost 40 minutes a game in the latter part of the season. After Larry Drew’s sudden departure, UNC was left without a backup point guard.

“I don’t think I’m going to play the one as much, but if Kendall (Marshall) is out and I have to come in and fill that spot, I know what to do,” Strickland said. “(I’ve been) getting advice from Shammond (Williams) and Raymond Felton while they’re up here.”

The product of a well-respected high school, St. Patrick of New Jersey, will be a good substitute for Marshall. Incoming 5-star recruit P.J. Hairston may be better suited to start at off guard, as he is a better shooter. Strickland has made exactly eight three-pointers in each of his two years at Carolina.

Eamonn Brennan says Barnes attended the Chris Paul basketball camp for point guards to improve his skills, so obviously the UNC small forward is a viable option at the 1 spot at times.

Roy Williams is one of the best coaches at managing minutes for his players. While some coaches would find eight to nine players and entrust them to get the job done, Williams plays two starting fives, and it works.

Especially since he has the talent for it.

Strickland has a great role model in Dwyane Wade, whom he admires. Wade is the ultimate combo guard, but it is debatable that he is as quick as the North Carolina No. 1.