Early in the season, I bought into Sydney's strategy of letting everyone play to see what they can do, and how they play in different combos..... just because we had so many new players. But at some point in time, we have to play our best players. If we don't, then we would be de-motivating the players that our playing the best.
The most important thing right now is for this team to get some type of winning attitude and confidence Right Now.
While everyone is comparing Sidibe to Malcolm, the real shift in minutes have gone from Coleman to Malcolm and rightly so. Just like it went Malcolm to Coleman during the middle of this year.
Last Edit: Feb 18, 2014 14:46:36 GMT -5 by JoeStag
Post by reindeerfan on Feb 18, 2014 15:27:21 GMT -5
I just don't think decisions about playing time can be based on someone having a good game or even two. A long term perspective needs to be taken when you have this many young players who are going to be inconsistent while they develop. Who has shown the most promise?
Based on the green bay game, Smith(15 pts)-1 is one of your best players. Based on the Loyola game Chappell(16 pts)-2 and Johnson(11 boards)-3 need to start. Based on Hartford, it KJ Rose (14 pts)-4 Holy Cross Gilbert, Marcus(26 pts)-5 Sidibe, Amadou (16 boards)-6 Marist Sean Grennan (14 pts)-7 Sacred Heart Marcus Gilbert (8 blocks)-8 St. Peters Justin Jenkins (16 pts)-9
Each one of these 9 different guys has shown the potential to be our best player in a given game. A decision to bench player "A" because player "B" was hot most recently doesn't show long term thinking. That is why I suggest the idea of moving Chappell, Gilbert, Smith, Grennan and Davis to the bench for such a long stretch was a bad one. While Chappell has recently emerged (Sydney was more or less forced to play him when Rose got in foul trouble) and Gilbert emerged too (same reason, sibibe and Johnson got in foul trouble) these guys were buried for something like 8-10 games. At this point you have to start to look at this season differently given where the team is. You need to focus on many things but team unity and player development are certainly two of the most important things. I suggest that both goals are best achieved by giving some minutes to each of the developing players.
Last Edit: Feb 18, 2014 15:29:36 GMT -5 by reindeerfan
I like Sidibe but also agree that Malcolm has not been given enough minutes this season. Sidibe is Harold Brandley, a decent player that ca become good. Malcolm is Pete deBisshop, a decent player that can become great. Both need to be developed, but long term, you have to consider who can do more to lead the team to the promised land. Even if Sidibe is more ready to contribute today (as I think he is) Gilbert needs to be given some minutes. I felt the same way last year about Jenkins; sure Wade, Nickerson and Needham were more developed players but Jenkins was given inadequate development time, and we're paying for that this season.
Like that comparison with Peter D. RF. His first two years were nothing special, but the last two (particularly his senior year) wow! He actually got some NBA interest (I think the Sonics). So yes Malcolm does have more upside than Amadou IMO as well as yours. As far as Justin I'm not so sure how good he can be as he certainly has to clean up his handle quite a bit to be a trusted player for Sydney. Concerning last season and how he was used, I can't blame Sydney for using the main 3 of Needham, Nickerson and Wade because although it didn't turn out great, last season was always going to be a chance to be something special. Obviously you should always be looking ahead, but not at the expense of trying to achieve an immediate goal.
I just don't think decisions about playing time can be based on someone having a good game or even two.
I think that the decision to switch who was playing was based on a player not being able to do the job after a few games Most recently, Malcolm is playing because Coleman is struggling. Chappell is playing because Jenkins is struggling. I don't know how many times I designated that "We might have found a 2G". Each time I said that, the player seemed to go in the tank. The latest was the "Free Jenkins"..... he was given the longest of opportunities, and he is still our starter. He has to know that he needs to work on his handle. If he does, I think he could be very good.
I know if I was a player, I would want to be given a Full Opportunity until I showed that I could do it or not do it. I would also want to play with the starters. And if I was not successfull, then I would know exactly what I needed to work on .