Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 18, 1993 TAG: 9304180046
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Bill Brill
DATELINE: DURHAM, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
1 MORE THOUGHT ON LYNCH
Before we close the books on the college basketball season, it behooves a guy to make a final comment about George Lynch.It is not just that Lynch has become the first Roanoke native to play for a Division I national champion.
He also was the most valuable player on a team that was the nation's finest.
Lynch officially won that award last Monday at the North Carolina basketball banquet. And, when it came time to extol the virtues of Lynch, coach Dean Smith's voice actually wavered.
Smith talked in reverent terms of Lynch's value, how he never missed a practice, never placed himself ahead of his team.
In figured that El Deano would appreciate Lynch's style. Above all, the team comes first in the Carolina system. Individuals must sacrifice for the common cause: victory. The coach hasn't changed in 32 years, and he won't now.
Lynch played out of position for his entire career. As a junior, he spoke almost wistfully of the future, of next season, when he would be able to play on the perimeter.
It never happened. At 6 feet 7 - he was listed as 6-8 but you wouldn't want to bet on it - Lynch was small for a power forward, and certainly that is not where he will play in the NBA.
That never bothered him, because Lynch is one of those quiet warriors who lead by example.
He is a fierce defender, a relentless rebounder, especially on the offensive glass. Never a great shooter, he ignited that miracle rally from 21 points down against Florida State with a 3-pointer.
It wasn't a matter of desperation, but Lynch knew his team needed a spark. The Tar Heels promptly went on a 3-point frenzy.
At Carolina, things do not change over the years. Only the players do. Thus it figures that Lynch is one of Smith's all-time favorites.
Lynch bought into the Carolina system from the get-go, and he didn't waver even though he had other ambitions.
Because Smith loves to invent reasons Carolina shouldn't be favored, much less No. 1, it will be interesting to hear his opinions next fall when the preseason nears.
Since four starters will return and the nation's top two prep players - Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace - will arrive, Carolina next season will re-define the term "loaded."
The Tar Heels will have eight or nine potential pros on their roster, including three 7-footers plus 6-11 Wallace.
But you can hear Smith's nasal twang, "You don't think Stackhouse will be as good a player as George Lynch was last year." For once, he won't be blowing smoke.
Carolina didn't have a true power forward the past couple of seasons, but Lynch played that position as well as it can be played.
The Tar Heels may have a variety of All-America talent next season, but you can argue that they still don't have a power forward again.
There's no question that Smith will play a variety of combinations. He always does.
But who will do the dirty work? Who will get the key rebound with the game on the line? Perhaps Smith will have a power forward by committee.
Smith was uncommonly attached to Lynch because of the work ethic.
In fact, Smith often said he liked everything about Lynch, "Except I don't like him sitting next to me [on the bench]."
When the game was on the line, that never happened.