Even excluding Theo Pinson's bench celebrations, there have been several noteworthy Tar Heel showings in this year's NBA playoffs. Take a look at which former UNC players are making themselves known in the postseason, from those on first-round upstart teams to the players helping their squad contend for the NBA title.
Ed Davis
As a member of the No. 6 seed Brooklyn Nets, UNC alum Ed Davis helped his team split the first two games of its series against the Philadelphia 76ers, opening the door for a possible first-round upset. In Game 1, Davis posted 12 points and a monstrous 16 rebounds – against Joel Embiid, one of the league's best centers, no less – and the Nets lit up the Philadelphia 76ers for a 111-102 win.
Just as important is Davis' defense. In Game 1, he frustrated Embiid into five of 15 shooting from the field. In Game 2, however, Embiid was too much to contain, shooting a much more efficient 8-for-12 in a blowout 76ers win. Davis' ability to limit Embiid will be a crucial factor in whether the Nets can pull out the upset.
Danny Green
Danny Green, a member of the 2009 NCAA championship team, averaged 27.7 minutes per game in the regular season for the Toronto Raptors, shooting a blistering 45.5 percent from 3-point range for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Green is a veteran 3-and-D player, known as much for knocking down treys as he is for locking up opposing teams' best guards. Though he went scoreless in 22 minutes in Game 2 of the first round, a blowout win against the Orlando Magic, he scored 13 points and made three 3-pointers in Game 1. If the Raptors are to realize their title aspirations, Green will undoubtedly need to play a part – a part that he is used to, having reached the championship summit in both the collegiate and professional ranks.
