With all the giddiness over the Tar Heels getting back Ty Lawson next season, there are some serious questions that need to be answered.What kind of penalties will Lawson face for his arrest last week?
Granted, in the realm of wrong-doin' ... this isn't that bad. A 20 year old had a beer and his radio too loud. Yes, he was caught in his car, but he wasn't drunk and if he had been of drinking age he wouldn't have caught a DUI. Still, these are those dumb things that need to get some punishment in some form.
Whether he went to the NBA or not, he would have to face a Chapel Hill courtroom at some point. However, now that he stays a Tar Heel, the team (namely, coach Roy Williams) will have to issue some sort of punishment.
To understand this dynamic is key ... and one of the reason most people felt Lawson was NBA-bound. Lawson, who will be a junior next season, has been in Ol' Roy's doghouse before. Of course, then it was due to basketball-related issues. Now it is a bit more serious.
Don't think that one conversation that Lawson had with Williams over the past few days didn't include "what will you do to me if I come back, coach?" Rest assured that it has been discussed and, probably, somewhat satisfactory for Lawson.
Remember that in 2004-2005, another highly touted Tar Heel team had to deal with discipline of their great, junior point guard. Raymond Felton had to sit out the Heels' opener against Santa Clara because of a pick-up game he participated in during the summer. The Heels would lose that game before playing in the Maui Classic.
*By the way, the Heels will be in the Maui Classic again this season
Of course, nothing Ol' Roy could do to Lawson will compare to what he'll face this season on the road in the ACC. Do you think the Cameron Crazies will have a little to say to him when he steps on the court in Durham in early February? The Heels also have to play at NC State, Maryland, Virginia, Miami, Wake Forest, Florida State and Virginia Tech. State fans loathe UNC ... and Maryland fans are notoriously tough. Wake Forest fans are among the best (and creative) in the ACC, while Virginia, FSU and Va Tech are turning into Houses of Horrors for the Heels.
Get ready, Ty!
