The most common word to describe Tyler Hansbrough’s game is “energy” which is fitting since the Hornets forward seems to turn things on and off just like a light switch.
Off the court, Hansbrough has a calm, almost tranquil presence to him. Soft-spoken and relaxed, one would never guess he was capable of the kind of aggressive play on the court that fittingly earned him the nickname “Psycho T” during his college days at the University of North Carolina.
“Off the court, I am a quiet guy. You’d be surprised some of the reactions I get when people meet me,” says Hansbrough.
Now in his seventh NBA season and first as a Hornet, the list of Hansbrough’s career achievements on the basketball court are both impressive and lengthy. The all-time leading scorer in UNC and ACC history with 2,872 career points, Hansbrough was a three-time first-team All-American from 2007-09, won the Naismith College Player of the Year in 2008 and helped lead the Tar Heels to a NCAA Championship in 2009. Just eight months after he was selected 13th overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 2009 NBA Draft, Hansbrough would have his number 50 jersey retired at UNC, joining the likes of Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Phil Ford and Antawn Jamison.
Hansbrough spent his first four NBA seasons with the Pacers before signing a free agent deal with the Toronto Raptors in the summer of 2013. After two seasons north of the border, Hansbrough made his way back down to North Carolina to sign with the Hornets, taking up residence just three hours from his college stomping grounds in Chapel Hill.
The second-most common word to describe Hansbrough might be “consistency” because he repeatedly provides the same high-intensity effort night in and night out, regardless ifs it’s driving the lane or scampering for a loose ball. He also isn't afraid to get physical and is one of those players that is great at getting under his opponent’s skin, a rather underrated component to his game.
During an Indiana Pacers playoff game three years ago, Miami’s Udonis Haslem intentionally struck Hansbrough in the face as he attempted a shot, receiving a flagrant foul and later a suspension. One year later, Haslem’s teammate, Chris Andersen, body-checked Hansbrough to the ground in the Eastern Conference Finals, also receiving a flagrant foul. Last season with Toronto, Hansbrough pushed Golden State’s Festus Ezeli to the point where the Warriors’ center ended up taking a swing at him. In all three instances, never once did Hansbrough ever look fazed or deterred by the opposition’s attempts of intimidation.
Charlotte’s Marvin Williams was one who was ecstatic to hear that the Hornets had added a fellow Tar Heel in the offseason.
“Tyler is a winner and he competes. He plays hard. I think any time you have a guy like that on your team, on your roster that’s going to come out and give maximum effort every single day, it’s only going to make your team better. He’s always going to be ready to play when his number’s called,” said Williams.
The two players just missed playing together at UNC, as Williams declared for the NBA Draft the summer prior to Hansbrough beginning his freshman season with the Tar Heels.
“I was really disappointed I missed him in Chapel Hill. He and I have trained together over the summers in the past. We’ve been very good friends. When he told me he was coming down here, I was really excited about it for sure,” Williams added.
Although he has played sparingly through the first month of the season, no Hornets player has received a louder ovation entering the game then Hansbrough this year. With Al Jefferson sidelined for a couple weeks with a calf injury, Hansbrough has seen his playing time increase, bringing an aggression and vitality that is unparalleled amongst any player in the NBA today. Even though he might go a handful of games without seeing any action, Hansbrough is fully capable of turning things on at a moment’s notice when called upon:
“I’m always ready. I thrive to get into the game. I work and use it as motivation so when I get my chance, I want to be ready.”As for returning to North Carolina, Hansbrough says things have “definitely” exceeded expectations.
“[Coming back to North Carolina], it’s a dream come true to be honest with you. I’ve always wanted to play here since I’ve been in the league. This is my home. This is where I’m most comfortable. I couldn’t be more excited to be part of this team in any way I can help. Management has been great. Players have been great. We got a great team and everybody loves to work. That’s what I’m about.”
While he might not ever duplicate his collegiate success at the professional level, it’s safe to say Hansbrough’s continued resilient and relentless approach to all aspects of his game on a daily basis has had a profound effect on his new teammates and been undoubtedly instrumental in Charlotte’s early season success.
Key Matchup vs. Heat: Marvin Williams vs. Chris Bosh
Marvin Williams and the Hornets will look to stay hot at home as they take on Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat on Wednesday night in Charlotte… Williams continues to shine as Charlotte’s starting power forward this season, averaging 10.2 points and career-bests in both rebounds (7.3) and blocks (1.1)… The Hornets will look for more of Williams’ strong play when he posts up against one of the best perimeter-shooting big men in the game in Miami’s Chris Bosh… Bosh, who missed the final two months of last season with a life-threatening blood clot in his lungs, is still finding his rhythm a bit with averages of 17.4 points on a career-low 44.4 percent shooting from the field (36.4 percent from three-point range) and 8.8 rebounds so far this year… Williams’ ability to lockdown Bosh defensively and make sure he doesn’t get open on the perimeter will be a key factor in whether or not the Hornets are able to knock off the Heat at Time Warner Cable Arena on Wednesday night.