Since Duke’s 89-78 win against North Carolina on Wednesday night, one of the most often debated topics in basketball circles in the Triangle has been ... dancing.
A talk radio caller proclaiming himself a North Carolina fan boiled down the issue to its essence when he said Tar Heels junior forward Danny Green ought to devote more energy to defense and less energy to dancing.
As many ACC fans are aware, Green engages in a wild dance in front of the North Carolina bench to the song “Jump Around” in the moments before tipoff when the Tar Heels play at the Smith Center.
His teammates on the bench groove to the beat along with him, and coach Roy Williams at times looks Green’s way and smiles approvingly.
This is why Williams’ players love him. He permits them to express their individuality and have fun playing a game that’s supposed to be fun. During the “Late Night With Roy” opening practice, Williams and his assistants even dance with the players on the court.
Critics of Green’s dancing say it’s unsportsmanlike and calls attention to Green and the Tar Heels’ bench rather than the game that’s about to unfold.
Both sides of the debate have merit. Green isn’t hurting anybody with his show, and he’s a fantastic dancer. But if his team is interested more in the sideshow than the opening tap, or if Green’s show motivates opponents, he ought to save his fancy footwork for another time.
The only certain thing is that criticism will increase if Green and North Carolina don’t play well. And that fans will be watching Green closely Sunday before the tip against Clemson after the Tar Heels have lost two of their last three home games.
- Ken Tysiac
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Criticism of Green's sideshow will grow if Tar Heels' play doesn't improve
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16 comments:
I and some of my fellow UNC fans have been discussing Green's antics for a couple of months now. I haven't talked to anybody yet that thinks it's a positive thing -- of course we're all over 40 and decidedly old school. Personally I think it's atrocious, absurd and tacky. I could see it as maybe something you could do after the game (if you win obviously), after the handshake line even. But at tipoff? Come on. If Roy thinks it's great, more power to him. He could care less what we think and he would tell you that himself, probably already has. But just because UNC fans love Roy doesn't mean we have to agree with him on this one. I don't think Green deserves to "jump around" tomorrow before the Clemson game after his pathetic defensive effort and 1 for 10 shooting against Dook.
I see no problem with danny's pre-game emotional chargeup. it gets him, his teammates, and the crowd geared up for the game. There are innumerable athletes who have various pre-game things that they do. Although they may say so now, no one mentioned a problem with Danny's dancing before Wednesday and I don't think a few dance steps can affect a game. There are lots of reasons we lost Wednesday and blaming it on Danny's dancing is a sorry excuse. If you want to call something "atrocious, absurd and tacky", focus on the "fans" who get to the game late and then leave early.
It always amazes me how things of this nature are blown way out of proportion and used as a ridiculous excuse for fans to point fingers. Keep in mind a few things. 1. This is a GAME. 2. It's a game played by college KIDS. 3. It's supposed to be FUN. For anyone, especially over the age of 40, to be on a message board bashing a kid for dancing before a college game is atrocious, absurd, and tacky. I myself am 36 and find absolutely no issue with kids having fun. Matter of fact I have fun watching them have fun. Which is precisely why I watch the game. To suggest this should be done after the game and ONLY if they win wreaks of poor sportsmanship. So dance on Danny, dance on!!!
The fact that this is even a big enough topic to be on here is plan stupid. They are college kids playing a game they love and are simply having fun. Let them have their fun and if it was a distraction or negative for the team the coach would have handled it by now. It's funny how people are. We critize a kid for jumping and dancing to get fired up for a game. It's a game, let them have their fun.
I'm amazed that Danny's Jump Around dance is such an issue. It may be a generational gap, bc I just graduated from UNC last May, but if you've been inside the Dean Dome, especially in the student section, during "Jump Around" you have to know it adds even more energy to the place and the fact that some of the players, like Danny, are having a good time during it along with us doesn't take away from the 40 minutes of basketball they're about to play. I think this dancing criticism is an example of the logical fallacy of "after, therefore, because of it". Danny and Wayne had a rough night against Dook on Wednesday. It had nothing to do with Danny jumping around with the rest of the student body at tip.
Besides, his typical play and in-game demeanor in no way upend attention from his team or inappropriately showup his opponents (see Rashad McCants, at times), so I don't really think the 'old school' crowd has a leg to stand on in this circumstance. Either way you view it though, let's beat Clemson... GO HEELS!!!
What!! UNC fans need someone to dance around to help charge up the energy for a DUKE v UNC game??? That is pitiful. Duke came into the building on a mission - and did not plan to leave without a win. For the sake of the rivalry, its a shame Psycho T was the only one to match the intensity.
The dancing, in itself, is harmless; but it is a signal of a more important issue, lack of discipline! Coach Williams needs to crack the whip with this talented bunch of underachievers and either get them to put out the effort on defense or put them on the pine!
What a totally idiotic commentary. Heck I'm a Clemson fan and I have to laugh at something so silly. Let's see what we're saying here: thousands of arrogant Duke students don't call attention to themselves and away from the game with their "routines" that are more polished than some cheerleader goups - but somehow Danny Green can do it all by himself. I can't believe this is all you can write about while the continual decline of what used to be the best conference in the country goes unfettered.
I'm 41 year old 1988 UNC grad and I'm also amazed anyone is talking about this. You think Danny's dancing has an effect on his D? What about all the kids who aren't dancing and still have a lousy night? YGBKM. And it pumps the fans up to boot. Is this good? You betcha, especially from my perspective--we were still in Carmichael my first year, then moved over to the SAC--Dean Dome--after the first few games, that place turned into a dud--the studs were mostly in the nosebleed section--wine and cheese crowd down below as Sam Casell called it. The student/alumni seating re-adjustments that have been made over the past 10 years are great and Danny's pregame antics make it even better.
The idea that Green's dancing cost them the game or that his dancing demonstrates a lack of focus is idiotic. It's up to the coach to get the kids ready for the game. The dancing or rountines performed before games help the players to get loose and ready to play the game. You often see these types of routines before football games and professional basketball games. The Tarheels just got beat by a better team. Duke was playing their game. Carolina got sucked into playing their game and loss. If Carolina would of slowed the game down and got Hansbourgh the ball they would of won. Don't blame this loss or any loss they have this year on dancing, that's ridiculous.
B
All you stupid hypocritical Tarheels fans would be bashing the heck out of Green's dancing if he happened to be a Duke or NC State player, but since he is one of your precious Tarheels he can do no wrong.
The one thing the Smith Center has always needed is a little more life. Danny Green dancing before the game shows he's pumped to play. That's certainly better than strutting during the game and missing a defensive assignment. This comes from a nearly 50-year-old Tar Heel grad who gets a kick out of his enthusiasm.
The bashing of Danny is silly. Carolina is having a hard time now b/c it has lost two really good point guards. Not because Danny Green is dancing on the sidelines.This type of silliness is the same as that which has our country paying more attention to Brittney Spears than we do to our bigger problems (middle east, economy, etc.).
Green's dancing is a continuation from Dean days of typical arrogance and showboating, trashtalking, screaming after thunder dunks, and other various encouraged unsportsmanlike behavior. I personally like it because it reinforces my hatred for carolina, when I had previously begun to think Roy was a nice guy. But it seems I'm wrong. Cut from the mold of Dean.
Wow, there are a lot of very strange people with deep psychological issues who post here! For the record, I'm a 54 year old fan who likes Danny's dance.
I agree with Elaine. I'm a 60-year-old Carolina alumna, and I'm delighted to see kids actually doing kid things. Let's not burden them with our stresses and hang-ups! Let them enjoy life while they can! Go, Danny and go, fans!
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