Tag: Theo Pinson

From Chapel Hill to Dallas: Justin Jackson, Theo Pinson signing with Mavericks

Justin Jackson and Theo Pinson, two integral parts of the 2017 UNC basketball National Title team, both signed with the Dallas Mavericks.

Two of the best NBA players to come out of Chapel Hill, in recent years, were 2017 NCAA champions Justin Jackson and Theo Pinson.

Jackson was selected 15th overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2017 NBA draft, while the Brooklyn Nets signed Pinson as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

Jackson’s enjoyed a modest amount of success in the league, highlighted by an NBA title in 2021 with the Milwaukee Bucks. He started a career-high 41 games during his rookie year with Sacramento, then averaged a career-high 8.2 points per game the following season in Dallas. He’s become a bit of a journeyman since getting drafted, suiting up for six teams in six years.

Pinson has not enjoyed nearly the same level of success in pro ball as Jackson, but he did record a triple-double in the Mavericks’ 2022-2023 season finale. Pinson spent his first two years in Brooklyn, third year with the New York Knicks, then the past two years in Dallas.

The Jackson-Pinson duo is reuniting again, however, with the Dallas Mavericks signing both on Friday, Oct. 20.

Jackson and Pinson will both likely end up in Dallas at some point this year. Their recent signings likely point to them being depth pieces, with each expected to be starters on the Texas Legends, Dallas’ G-League affiliate.

Jackson averaged 13.8 points per game and drained 168 3-pointers across three seasons (2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017) at Carolina, including a collegiate career-high 18.3 in his final year.

Pinson played at Carolina from 2014-2018, averaging 6.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. He rarely started in his first three seasons, then exploded onto the scene in senior year, by averaging 10.3 points per game across 37 starts.

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Social media reactions to the best UNC basketball team debate

Social media reacts to Danny Green and Theo Pinson debating which UNC national championship team was better, the 2005 or 2009 team.

One of the biggest debates for UNC fans is whether the 2005 or 2009 National Championship men’s basketball team was better.

Well, Tar Heel Danny Green is weighing in on the debate, discussing the topic with Theo Pinson on the Run Your Race podcast by Tidal League. Both teams were loaded and dominated in their ways, but which was superior?

Green leaned more towards the 2009 team, which featured him, Ty Lawson, and was led by Tyler Hansbrough. The 2005 team, on the other hand, featured Rashad McCants, Raymond Felton, and Marvin Williams, to name a few.

Pinson took a snippet of the debate and pushed it on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, sending social media into a frenzy. The clip has now garnered more than 44k views as fans throw in their input on the debate.

Let us look at how social media reacted to the 2005 or 2009 UNC team debate.

Theo Pinson shares his top 10 NBA small forwards

Former North Carolina Tar Heel Theo Pinson shares his top NBA 10 Small Forwards.

Former North Carolina Tar Heel [autotag]Theo Pinson[/autotag] is back in the news giving hot takes on Tidal Leagues Run Your Race podcast.

In a snippet released earlier this week, Pinson appeared on a livestream where he delivered fans his top 10 for current small forwards in the NBA. The order had some surprises like any top 10 list plastered on social media.

The biggest surprise on Pinson’s list is Kevin Durant being ranked over Lebron James for the top spot. The other shock is that the list features no Tar Heels, rightfully so, but I did expect to see Harrison Barnes crack the list. Instead, one Duke star was featured, with Brandon Ingram getting the nod with a seventh-spot ranking.

The list, even Heel-less, is respectful and features the correct names. I wonder if we will see a Tar Heel enter the discussion soon. The best chance is Brooklyn Nets Cam Johnson, whose new deal puts an extra layer on his role.

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Myles Turner: “North Carolina was one of the only schools that never recruited me.”

Former five-star recruit Myles Turner tells Theo Pinson that North Carolina was one of the only schools that never recruited him.

UNC is usually the front-runner for getting talent due to its rich history. However, sometimes too much talent can deter top recruits, and we are now learning that might have been the case with former five-star recruit Myles Turner.

In a recent episode of Tidal Leagues Run your Race podcast, former Tar Heel Theo Pinson spoke with Turner on his recruitment process and how it played out. During Turner’s high school days, the center was heavily sought after, and UNC fans wanted a piece. However, according to Turner, UNC was one of the only schools never to recruit him.

He did, however, receive a letter, but everything happening at UNC during that time deterred him. To make matters worse for UNC fans, he was a Duke guy, and if it was not for them landing Jahlil Okafor, then there might have been a chance that the Tar Heels saw him at least twice a year.

It worked out for Turner, who became a dominant juggernaut at Texas. However, I cannot help but think what if he was pursued to join the Tar Heels or if worse, he joined the dark blue side.

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Myles Turner on the first time he met Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird

“It made you lock in that much more, because you knew greatness was in the room,” said Turner.

It’s been a while since Hall of Fame small forward Larry Bird was playing for the Boston Celtics, but the shadow of his greatness with the Celtics continues to impact those around him.

In a recent interview with Tidal League‘s “Run Your Race” podcast hosted by another Boston alum, wing Theo Pinson, Indiana Pacers big man Myles Turner opened up about what it was like to meet the Celtics great while he was working in his current role as a member of the Pacers’ front office working as a consultant. “People don’t realize how big he is in person,” related Turner. “He’s all of 6-foot-10, 6-foot-11.”

“Even at his elder age, he still … has such an intimidating aura about him,” added the Pacers center. “Very intimidating aura. He’s the one who drafted me, for people who don’t know. He was the GM at the time when I first got to Indy.”

Theo Pinson shares story on how he got his offer from UNC

Former North Carolina Tar Heel Theo Pinson shares how he got a scholarship offer from Roy Williams.

Former North Carolina Tar Heel [autotag]Theo Pinson [/autotag]has made a name for himself on and off the court.

As the host of Your Race podcast by Tidal League, Pinson has had guests sharing their journey and breaking down moments in their careers. In a recent snippet, Pinson detailed how he got recruited to play for UNC and how that opened the floodgates for more offers.

Pinson was a five-star recruit, ranked No. 1 in North Carolina. So, hearing the former Tar Heel talk about how he got to that level was eye-opening.

 

Pinson appeared in 122 games in four seasons with UNC, starting all 37 games his senior year. In the 2016-2017 season, Pinson helped the Tar Heels cut the nets down in the National Championship game, finishing with six points and nine rebounds in the 71-65 win over Gonzaga.

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Theo Pinson credits rival coach for ‘huge moment’ in life

A UNC basketball rival coach inspired former standout Theo Pinson during a recruiting visit.

Former North Carolina Tar Heels’ standout Theo Pinson had a successful four-year career with the program, winning a national championship and making back-to-back Final Fours.

Pinson committed to North Carolina as a five-star recruit in the 2014 class that also included Justin Jackson and Joel Berry. That class paid dividends for the Tar Heels as all three were key players in their time with the program.

But during Pinson’s recruitment, he did credit a rival coach for what was a ‘huge moment’ in his life.

On his Run Your Race podcast, Pinson told a story of a recruiting trip to Duke with Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow, and Tyus Jones, Pinson was humbled a little bit by Coach K as the players were in the theater room talking. Coach K had praise for the other recruits and was brutally honest about Pinson:

“We were all sitting in this theater room,” he remembered. “He said, ‘Tyus, you’re the best point guard in the country. No doubt. Jahlil, you’re a dog…nobody’s gonna come at you. Theo, you gotta separate yourself.’ Pretty much was like, ‘There are a lot of Theo’s. You gotta find something to separate yourself from everybody else.'”

“That was a huge moment in my life.”

You can watch the clip below:

It was a humbling moment for Pinson who did find a way to separate himself not only going to North Caorlina but becoming a force on both ends of the court for the Tar Heels.

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Theo Pinson shuts down the Best Hoop State debate with three words

Former Tar Heel Theo Pinson debates Spencer Dinwiddie on Tidal League’s Run Your Race podcast on which State has the best hoopers.

Former North Carolina Tar Heel [autotag]Theo Pinson[/autotag] is in the lab podding, sparking up debates, and he might have put the nail in a coffin for one question that has lived in barbershops nationwide.

Which State produces the best hoopers?

Pinson had NBA player Spencer Dinwiddie on his podcast Run Your Race by Tidal League. The two players debated which State is home to the best hoopers based on notable names and success from that region.

Dinwiddie went with California as the best hoop state, even taking a jab at Pinson’s obvious pick, North Carolina. Pinson, who bleeds NC pride, said three words that put the best hoop State debate to bed.

There is no denying that this debate will stand the test of time as players continue to get better. However, there is no denying that North Carolina is home to the most outstanding player to pick up a basketball.

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Grant Williams on how Rick Barnes’ tough love helped shape his career

Despite the challenging environment, Williams acknowledges that the tough training ultimately helped him become a better player.

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Former Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams gives Rick Barnes, his head coach at Tennessee, a great deal of credit for helping to shape him into the player he is today.

Barnes was an intense and often unorthodox coach in how he did his job, a point talked on at length by Williams on a recent appearance on former teammate Theo Pinson‘s Tidal League “Run Your Race” podcast.

The Charlotte native recounted the intense practices Barnes was known for, pushing players to their limits to make them better. He shared anecdotes about Barnes making players run extra sprints, challenging them to improve often breaking them down emotionally.

Despite the challenging environment, Williams acknowledges that the tough training ultimately helped him become a better player.

To hear the tale in full for yourself, check out the clip embedded above.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Grant Williams on facing Stephen Curry with the Celtics in the 2023 NBA Finals

Williams emphasized Curry’s playing style and its impact on and off the ball, and the former Vol praised the Dubs star’s ability to create gravity from almost anywhere on the court.

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Former Boston Celtics reserve forward Grant Williams appeared on fellow former Celtic Theo Pinson‘s Tidal League “Run Your Race” podcast this summer, and the Charlotte native opened up about a host of topics from his time with the Celtics and with the Tennessee Volunteers before that.

One of the stories he touched on was his experience playing against Golden State Warriors legend Stephen Curry. Williams emphasized Curry’s playing style and its effects on and off the ball. The former Vol praised the Dubs star’s ability to create gravity from almost anywhere on the court with his lights-out shooting.

To hear what else Williams had to say about his tenure with the Celtics and that fateful 2022 NBA Finals matchup with Golden State and Curry, take a look at the clip embedded below.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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