Williams Sticks Up For Grayson Allen

The nation’s greatest rivalry has had many moments of riveting intensity: Dick Groat scoring 48. Art Heyman taking on most of the UNC team. Walter Davis’s 1974 long jumper to cap off UNC’s most famous comeback. Gene Banks mocking Phil Ford at the end of the game in 1978. The Stackhouse dunk, the Capel shot. The Henderson elbow to Tyler Hansbrough’s face. Dante Calabria’s falling-down winner. Chris Duhon’s sprint to glory. The Rivers game. The Wojo comeback.

We could go on but most of you know it.

There’s a constant sense of respect (somewhat undermined by UNC’s disraceful handling of its epic scandal) and, on occasion, kindness.

That came up again this week as Roy Williams defended Grayson Allen: “I see him trying to get over a screen and everybody here try it. You put all your weight on one foot, what does your other leg do? It goes back. So I see all those things. I think he’s a wonderful kid who he himself, and Mike (Krzyzewski) himself, has said has made some mistakes.”

Not what we expected from Ol’ Roy, but very kind and gracious.