Tyler Hansbrough proved on Wednesday what kind of impact he can make in the Toronto Raptors’ front court this season. He was Dwane Casey’s first big man off the bench, and provided instant energy and physicality against Atlanta’s one-two punch of Al Horford and Paul Millsap.
This is what Hansbrough has become at the professional level: a second-unit bruiser that won’t back down from a battle. He’s best known for his intense stare and all-business attitude—both on and off the floor. He’s the kind of guy that a lot of coaches love to have in their rotation.
“He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do as far as spacing, rebounding [and] defending,” said Casey. “[He’s] doing all of the other things, other than [just] scoring the ball.”
That may be the case, but make no mistake, Hansbrough can score.
Like many players, Hansbrough has seen his game change quite drastically since he made the jump from the NCAA to the NBA. In his day, he was one of the deadliest scorers in college basketball, and he’s still the leading scorer in Atlantic Coast Conference history.
2006: 18.9 PPG
2007: 18.4 PPG
2008: 22.6 PPG
2009: 20.7 PPG
Hansbrough was a unanimous selection for the ACC’s All-Conference team in each of his four years at North Carolina, and he won Freshman of the Year in ’06 and ACC Player of the Year in ’08. In fact, 2008 also saw him take home the John Wooden Award and National Player of the Year honours.
Following his senior season as a Tar Heel, Hansbrough just missed winning his second-straight ACC Player of the Year award, finishing second to Blake Griffin.
His collegiate resume is one of the most impressive you’ll see. And though he’s no longer asked to be a scorer, Hansbrough believes he can provide a lot more to the Raptors.
“When you can shoot it, you can add value to the court,” he said. “Sometimes it’s not really [about] true positions out there. You see teams using smaller lineups and different guys, so the more you can shoot it, I think you’ll see more teams doing that—adding shooters.”
Hansbrough has no illusions that he’ll suddenly become a go-to guy for Toronto on the offensive end, but he hopes to add some scoring versatility of the bench.
“If you look around the league, I think teams are getting more and more value from the three-point shot—especially from the four man [power forward],” said the Missouri native. “If I want to add value to this team, a corner three is something I could develop and improve and be able to help my team out on the court.”
Some may cringe at that notion, assuming the idea means Hansbrough would set up on the perimeter and not do his usual dirty work under the hoop. However, it’s the mere threat of the shot—the seed planted in the minds of opposing players—that can be a weapon in itself. Patrick Patterson has become that type of player for the Raptors, and perhaps no greater example—of a big man that can threaten from behind the arc—exists in the league than the one now found in Cleveland with Kevin Love.
“It opens up the court for spacing; it’s pretty valuable,” said Hansbrough. “When you’re guarding somebody like that, you can’t sit back in the lane. It opens up the floor for our guards to drive and make penetration.”
Hansbrough has attempted 12 three-point shots during his five-year career. He has made none (though he drained a long-distance bucket in Toronto’s pre-season win over Sacramento in Vancouver earlier this month). But after a summer spent with North Carolina shooting coach, Mike Hollis, the 250-lb. forward hopes he has evolved as an overall player.
“It was a long process, especially for a guy that didn’t shoot threes—I’m definitely not a three-point shooter,” said Hansbrough. “We [the Raptors] really value the corner three, so hopefully me adding that will help our team out in the games.”