Tag: Theo Pinson

Boston alum Grant Williams on how Tennessee coach Rick Barnes approached rebounding

Barnes’ strategy aimed to gain an advantage in rebounding battles regardless of the other advantages their opponents might have had.

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If you ever wondered how a guy as short as Grant Williams ever learned how to be an effective rebounder at the NBA level, look to his college days for answers.

In an appearance on former teammate Theo Pinson‘s Tidal League “Run Your Race” podcast, the former Boston Celtics forward opened up about how his former Tennessee head coach, Rick Barnes, used to offer “bounties” to his players for aggressively contesting boards against specific opponents his Volunteers faced at the NCAA level.

Barnes’ strategy aimed to gain an advantage in rebounding battles regardless of the other advantages their opponents might have had over Tennessee’s players, and it left a lasting mark on Williams’ game as a result.

To hear the Charlotte native tell the tale for himself of how Barnes’ approach to rebounding affected his career moving forward, check out 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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Former Celtic Grant Williams on how Rick Barnes helped him get into shape – brutally

Evidently, the tough love paid off given the Charlotte native is now the owner of a very lucrative second contract in the NBA.

Former Boston Celtics reserve forward Grant Williams made an appearance on ex-teammate Theo Pinson’s Tidal League “Run Your Race” podcast before he left Boston to sign with the Dallas Mavericks. He spoke about his time playing at the University of Tennessee under head coach Rick Barnes before being picked up by the Celtics in the 2019 NBA draft.

In one of the better tales told on the pod, Williams shared how received a FedEx box of snacks from his mom, including Little Debbie cakes and Orville Redenbacher popcorn, which led Barnes to tease him with popcorn while he ran on a treadmill at Tennessee’s fat camp.

Evidently, the tough love paid off given the Charlotte native is now the owner of a very lucrative second contract in the NBA.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear the story from the man himself.

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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D’Angelo Russell vouches for NBA team pick up Theo Pinson

NBA star D’Angelo Russell vouches for former Tar Heel Theo Pinson to be signed by an NBA team.

Former UNC guard [autotag]Theo Pinson[/autotag] has made a name for himself in the NBA as a teammate players want in the locker room. Despite boosting the morale in Brooklyn and Dallas, the Tar Heel has yet to find a new team, making fans and players wonder when we will get the headline of Pinson’s new team.

Former teammate D’Angelo Russell is the most recent to question why Pinson is still available. Russell and Pinson played with each other in Brooklyn, electrifying the Nets with the sideline sturdy dance.

Russell, the team’s All-Star, appeared on the Pat Bev Podcast, where he was asked about the sturdy dance while in Brooklyn and who was the sturdiest guy there.

It is always incredible to see former Tar Heels get love in the NBA, especially a fan favorite like Pinson. To the point Rusell made, it is shocking to see Pinson still available, especially after he finished with a 23-point, 12 assists, and 13 rebounds triple-double in the Maverick’s last game of the season.

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Grant Williams opens up on his time in the Orlando bubble with Kemba Walker

Walker proved to be an exceptional teammate during the Celtics’ bubble run.

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Now a member of the Dallas Mavericks organization after being signed and traded there by the Boston Celtics as a restricted free agent this offseason, forward Grant Williams linked up with fellow NBA player Theo Pinson to talk about his time bunking with former Boston floor general Kemba Walker during the pandemic shutdown and playing with Boston in the Orlando bubble.

Walker proved an exceptional teammate during the Celtics’ bubble run, offering support and hospitality to his fellow players, particularly Williams, a native of Walker’s adopted home of Charlotte, North Carolina. The bubble experience lasted around three months, bringing the team closer together.

The Celtics faced challenges entering the bubble, having not played in months, but they remained focused on winning, and the camaraderie among players, including Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, intensified during the experience.

To hear more of Williams’ story on Pinson’s Tidal League “Run Your Race” podcast, 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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Reggie Bullock and Theo Pinson discuss just how tough the ‘Carolina Mile’ is

Former North Carolina Tar Heels Reggie Bullock and Theo Pinson discuss the Carolina Mile on Tidal League’s Run Your Race podcast.

Former North Carolina standouts [autotag]Reggie Bullock[/autotag] and [autotag]Theo Pinson[/autotag] had fun discussing the legendary Carolina Mile on a snippet of Pinson’s Run Your Race podcast.

The Carolina Mile is a great Tar Heel tradition that takes the run from inside to outside for the men’s basketball program. The team runs a mile to signal an end to the off-season and introduction to practice.

What makes the Carolina Mile so unique is its lengthy history and the folk tales that come from it. Former Tar Heel Mitch Kupchak told the athletic about his 5:19 finish, just making it inside Dean Smith’s 5:20 mark request.

In a recent snippet of the Run Your Race podcast presented by Tidal League, Pinson and Bullock joked about their Carolina Mile experiences.

This UNC tradition has made its rounds through decades, so it is always nice to hear players open up about it. The tradition is to test the players’ will, challenging while pushing the players to new heights.

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Bruce Brown tells Theo Pinson it was UNC who did not want him

NBA champion Bruce Brown tells Theo Pinson on the “Run Your Race” podcast that he wanted to come to UNC, but they wanted Seventh Woods.

Before Bruce Brown was celebrating in a parade to win an NBA championship, he hoped to rock Carolina Blue at UNC, but according to him, the Tar Heels had other plans.

Brown was a five-star 6-4 guard out of Vermont Academy, ranking 5th in ESPN’s 2016 shooting guard class. He picked up offers from many top schools, including Texas, Indiana, Michigan, Auburn, and his eventual designation Miami.

Despite being highly sought after, Brown decided to focus on his senior year before committing. That decision appeared to have significant implications, as he discussed on Theo Pinson’s “Run Your Race” podcast.

Brown explained below how his offer to play for the Tar Heels was declined.

Seventh Woods was ranked 14th in the same class as Brown, so no one expected the South Carolina native to average 1.8 points during his three-year tenure at UNC. Conversely, Brown averaged 11.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in two seasons at Miami.

What do you think would have happened if UNC went with Brown over Woods?

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Jared Dudley shares story on teaming up with Michael Jordan

Jared Dudley shares basketball stories on the Tidal Leauge Podcast with Theo Pinson, including a story about basketball camp with Michael Jordan.

Former NBA player Jared Dudley joined [autotag]Theo Pinson[/autotag] on the Tidal League podcast to share a story about the time he played alongside Michael Jordan at a camp that may have led to him getting drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats.

Pinson was back on the couch for another classic interview featuring Dudley, talking basketball and sharing stories. According to Dudley, during his senior year, he attended one of Jordan’s camps in Santa Barbara and had the opportunity to play on Jordan’s team.

Dudley explains how he delivered one of his best shooting performances, impressing Jordan.

The Bobcats selected Dudley with the 22nd overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft. Dudley built quite the resume in both college and the pros. He was 2X All-ACC, 2006-07 ACC player of the year, and averaged 15.9 points and 7.2 rebounds in four years at Boston College. Dudley had a lengthy career in the NBA, retiring after 14 seasons and an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2020.

Dudley now serves as an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks.

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Cam Johnson shares story on how he became a shooter

Former Tar Heel Cam Johnson explains how he became a shooter on Theo Pinson’s podcast.

We all know [autotag]Cam Johnson[/autotag] can catch fire behind the arch from a single spark, but now we know how the former Tar Heel became a shooter after he shared his story on Theo Pinson’s podcast.

The former UNC star has made a name since being drafted 11th overall in the 2019 draft. Drafted in the perfect situation to be a shooter helped elevate Johnson’s game, earning him memorable playoff moments with the Phoenix Suns and a four-year $108M contract extension from the Brooklyn Nets.

Johnson appeared on Pinson’s “Tidal League” podcast, sharing memories and his journey to the NBA. He even detailed how his 6’8 frame became a marksman from behind the arch.

Johnson has averaged 11.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in the last four years, shooting 39.3% from three. His most recent breakout performance came in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs, where the former Tar Heel finished with 28 points, going 5 for 11 from deep.

Johnson’s role should only get bigger as he continues to get established on the Nets.

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Reggie Bullock explains how he ended up at UNC

Reggie Bullock opens up about his decision to join UNC in 2010.

Before [autotag]Reggie Bullock[/autotag] made buckets in Carolina blue, the McDonald’s All-American was being heavily recruited as one of the best guards in the nation.

Bullock was ranked 18th in ESPN’s top 100. He was third among shooting guards behind Will Barton and Dion Waiters. Despite numerous offers from notable programs, the Kinston native signed with a loaded UNC team in 2010, and now we know why.

Bullock appeared on UNC fan favorite Theo Pinson’s podcast “Tidal League” and opened up on how he ended up at UNC. He talked about his initial decision to stay in the state and which other schools in North Carolina had a chance for his services.

 

The decision to come to UNC turned out great; Bullock had a significant impact during his tenure. Bullock averaged 9.9 points and five rebounds in three seasons playing under Roy Williams. His best season came in his final year for the Tar Heels, averaging 13.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.

Bullock was drafted in 2013 by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 25th pick.

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Theo Pinson set to host new basketball camp in High Point

North Carolina Tar Heel fan favorite Theo Pinson announces summer basketball camp.

Tar Heel fan favorite [autotag]Theo Pinson[/autotag] announced on social media that he would produce his first basketball camp this summer.

Pinson’s first annual camp will occur June 23rd and 24th at Wesleyan Christian Academy in High Point, NC. The same school where Pinson became a five-star recruit to get on UNC’s radar.

During his time at Wesleyan, Pinson became a top player, ranking top 15 in the nation and 1st in the state. Many former UNC players go on to host a basketball camp for the kids during the summer as a way to give back to the community.

Basketball camps are a fun way to give young kids and teens interested in the sport a chance to learn from top players. Pinson has been able to carve out quite the NBA career so far, becoming a key teammate in Brooklyn and Dallas.

Pinson could be on the verge of a breakout season, especially when you account for the triple-double he dropped in his last game.

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