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Lots Of Duke Guys Left In The NBA Playoffs, But Where Are The Tar Heels?

Things have really changed

By JD King

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Boston Celtics v Philadelphia 76ers - Game Three
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 5: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics charges into JJ Redick #17 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoff at Wells Fargo Center on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Yesterday we realized that at the worst, one finalist in the NBA playoffs would have a former Duke player and every team left except for Toronto and Milwaukee has at least one former Blue Devil.

What we didn’t realize was, in the context of 15-501, the opposite and it’s a bit shocking even at this late date: there’s only one Carolina guy in the playoffs and he’s not exactly a headliner: it’s Toronto’s Danny Green, a guy who isn’t even starting.

For people of a certain age that seems impossible. There’s no Brad Daugherty, no James Worthy, no Michael. There’s not even a Kenny Smith or a random Wolf brother.

Obviously that’s not to say that UNC’s not still good because it still is. But the massive talent pipeline is not what it used to be.

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