Sledge?

[BBHMagic]

Giv the kid 2-3 minutes. The way our offense doesn't run, 2-3 minutes is a nice trial that can't cause any damage.

Why? Things aren't going to magically get better by putting in a bad player. I understand that 2-3 minutes during a game against a crap team isn't going to hurt the team all that much, even if its an 80 year old lady. But bad players don't make teams better. They make them worse. And by the sounds of what T.J. said, they don't think he will be an option for the future either, so developing him during a game is a waste of time that could be spent developing players that will help the team down the road.

 

[Clonefan32]

I'm not necessarily saying Sledge will be some kind of savior, all I am saying is that giving him a shot can't hurt. Based on what we have seen they should not be comfortable either with Scott running point or Chris Allen's shot selection either...

Erik wins.

 

[BBHMagic]

I'm not necessarily saying Sledge will be some kind of savior, all I am saying is that giving him a shot can't hurt. Based on what we have seen they should not be comfortable either with Scott running point or Chris Allen's shot selection either...

Erik wins.

See above post.

 

[CycloneErik]

Sledge is an unproven player, not necessarily a bad player. We simply don't know yet.

One 2-3 minute shot somewhere in the game isn't going to hurt, certainly not against Prairie View. If it does hurt against Prairie View, well, there's nothing that can help a team that can't handle Prairie View.

 

[Clonefan32]

See above post.

All I'm saying is that isn't an altogether convincing way to put things. I've never been the "Sledge-should-start-at-point-because-he-looked-good-in-3-minutes-of-mop-up-duty" type. No one but Royce has looked "convincing" in their roles this year, so it seems absurd to suggest that you aren't convinced by guy who has seen virtually no time. The early part of the year is the time to toy around with lineups to see what works and doesn't work. What we are doing is not working.

 

[brett108]

Who isn't? But since we don't have any other viable options we have to try to improve what we have.

At this point a loss is a loss. It would be nice to see Sledge in a game. Sometimes guys can raise their level of play in a game like atmosphere. Some guys get worse. It would be refreshing to try something new, since the guy Hoiberg recruited as his PG is obviously not one(McGee).

 

[BBHMagic]

Sledge is an unproven player, not necessarily a bad player. We simply don't know yet.

One 2-3 minute shot somewhere in the game isn't going to hurt, certainly not against Prairie View. If it does hurt against Prairie View, well, there's nothing that can help a team that can't handle Prairie View.

I really don't think the coaches wait on the approval of the fans for their decision if a player is bad or not. The coaches see the players in practice everyday. They know if a player is a bad player. Either you trust the head coach who previously made a living determining who is a good player or you don't.

And for the rest of it, once again see post #41

 

[Steve]

Who isn't? But since we don't have any other viable options we have to try to improve what we have.

Glad to see that you understand the fundamentals of coaching.

Some of the others don't seem to understand that a team struggling to put everything together will likely take a turn for the worse if guys who haven't earned playing time in practice are simply awarded time on the court over someone who outplays them in practice. It's the quickest way to destroy team chemistry.

Some teams are built around defense, some on rebounding, some on running, some on taking it to the rim, etc. This team is built around hitting 3 point shots. Like it or not, this team's success will be determined primarily by how the shots are falling on a given night. They will lose and already have lost some games that could have been won with better shooting results. They will also come out on top of some games that they are out-matched in when the shots are falling.

 

[Bigman38]

I really don't think the coaches wait on the approval of the fans for their decision if a player is bad or not. The coaches see the players in practice everyday. They know if a player is a bad player. Either you trust the head coach who previously made a living determining who is a good player or you don't.

And for the rest of it, once again see post #41

CPR saw Barnett in practice everyday and started Jantz over him for half the season. I'm not saying this is the same situation but you never know what a player will do when you put them in the game. It may or may not be the answer but I don't see the wisdom of continuing to try the same combination over and over and expecting different results. I think this is a pretty talented team, they are just missing someone who could run the show, why not give him a shot?

 

[BBHMagic]

CPR saw Barnett in practice everyday and started Jantz over him for half the season. I'm not saying this is the same situation but you never know what a player will do when you put them in the game. It may or may not be the answer but I don't see the wisdom of continuing to try the same combination over and over and expecting different results. I think this is a pretty talented team, they are just missing someone who could run the show, why not give him a shot?

You don't know exactly how they will perform yes, but you definitely have a very good idea.

This situation is completely different. In football you generally want one starter at quarterback and somebody has to start. It was clear the coaches thought highly of Barnett due to how close the QB competition was and by how quickly Barnett was inserted into the starting lineup. When have we ever heard or had any sign that Sledge was even close to competing for PG time.

 

[Steve]

CPR saw Barnett in practice everyday and started Jantz over him for half the season. I'm not saying this is the same situation but you never know what a player will do when you put them in the game. It may or may not be the answer but I don't see the wisdom of continuing to try the same combination over and over and expecting different results. I think this is a pretty talented team, they are just missing someone who could run the show, why not give him a shot?

It's a poor analogy to compare a situation with two players who by all reports produced comparable results through spring and fall practice with what appears to be the case with a particular basketball player. I doubt if Barnett would have gotten an opportunity if he wasn't judged to be ready to play, didn't buy into what the coaches were trying to implement, or appeared to be a recruiting miss.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

Obviously Fred does not feel he is ready to play. It's really not that surprising he's only a Freshman. It takes time to adjust.

This excuse really wears on me. Especially when all the one and dones to the nba, freshmen these days way higher caliber of player then freshmen in years past. I thought this guy was the one to come in and run this show. Very dissapointed in him and Ejm. Huge expectations and contribution has been little. I hope Niang and Okoro are the real thing.

 

[Bigman38]

You don't know exactly how they will perform yes, but you definitely have a very good idea.

This situation is completely different. In football you generally want one starter at quarterback and somebody has to start. It was clear the coaches thought highly of Barnett due to how close the QB competition was and by how quickly Barnett was inserted into the starting lineup. When have we ever heard or had any sign that Sledge was even close to competing for PG time.

I would think that the team not playing well while having an obvious lack of a PG would be a good enough indication to try something different out. I guess I don't get the unwillingness to change, this is the perfect time to try something or someone out.

That being said it wouldn't be a hailmary move, I don't think this team is in as much trouble as everyone here thinks they are. We have 3 losses, 2 of which were to two probable tourney teams.

 

[Three4Cy]

CPR saw Barnett in practice everyday and started Jantz over him for half the season. I'm not saying this is the same situation but you never know what a player will do when you put them in the game. It may or may not be the answer but I don't see the wisdom of continuing to try the same combination over and over and expecting different results. I think this is a pretty talented team, they are just missing someone who could run the show, why not give him a shot?

Jantz is hurt, didn't you listen to CPR after the OSU game? Different situation than with Sledge. I watched Sledge play against WCU, he was not impressive, played to fast and was somewhat out of control. He needs to mature.

 

[Bigman38]

It's a poor analogy to compare a situation with two players who by all reports produced comparable results through spring and fall practice with what appears to be the case with a particular basketball player. I doubt if Barnett would have gotten an opportunity if he wasn't judged to be ready to play, didn't buy into what the coaches were trying to implement, or appeared to be a recruiting miss.

Kind of veering of topic but you really don't think that CPR wouldn't have given the backup a shot regardless in the A&M game? We were on our way to our 4th loss in a row in which the starting QB played a huge part in.

 

[Bigman38]

Jantz is hurt, didn't you listen to CPR after the OSU game? Different situation than with Sledge. I watched Sledge play against WCU, he was not impressive, played to fast and was somewhat out of control. He needs to mature.

Like I said in my original post, not the exact same situation. But good job you got me, Scotty isn't hurt.

 

[isuvike]

And by the sounds of what T.J. said, they don't think he will be an option for the future either.

I'm sorry I missed it, but what exactly did coach Otz say? All that was stated above was that they didn't feel comfortable playing him yet - that's a far cry from what you're stating.

 

[isutoad]

As Jonny Orr will tell you if you watched Jeff Hornacek in practice you would never play him.( He got to play because foul trouble.) He was a different person in a game. Orr has always said he did think a person could be so different. We are getting beat play him whats does it hurt?

 

[Thompsonclone]

Tj did say that next year they will have options with Lucious. He did mention Sledge. So maybe they still think he has a future.

 

[imnclone]

Could the issue be that Sledge really isn't a PG (can't create shots for other players)? And do we really need a 5-7 SG? or another SG period.