I KNOW the front office sees those capabilities because I've talked with guys over there about that. I KNOW the previous coaching staffs saw those capabilities because I talked the them about these players. Heck, that's why they got drafted.
But, basketball isn't a track meet. It's not about who can run the fastest or jump the highest or has the longest arms. At some point, there has to be application of those capabilities to the game. There has to be a commitment from the players. And we now have 3 different coaches who have recognized the same "lack" in these players.
CCJ wrote:I will end by saying that TSW and others IMO give credit to authority figures and older guys, but tend to discount ability and athleticism and untapped skills. I see things in players time and time agains only to be told I don't know what I'm talking about, when I'm pretty sure I do.
CCJ: I love you like a brother, but this is way off the mark. I was talking about the need to give Haywood more minutes when everyone else was saying how much he sucked. I said clearly and unequivocally that Eddie was wrong on Haywood -- and many other things as well. I've criticized roster moves publicly and privately.
I don't give credit to "authority figures" or "older guys" or discount anything. I go by what I see -- on the floor during games, statistical analysis, and what I saw and heard when I used to visit the locker room. Yeah, these kids have untapped ability and skills. But I don't think it's the coach's fault. It's their own fault for not working hard, doing what the coaches ask and preparing themselves to play.
That's not expecting them to prepare and practice like a 10th year vet -- it's expecting them to do the minimum required of them by the coaching staff. If they were showing signs of learning, signs of "getting it" they'd be getting minutes because Flip isn't a moron.
The argument that Flip is biased against certain players might be more plausible if he hadn't come along after two other coaches who apparently had the same bias. I think all of us believe that McGee, for example, has the capability to be a great player. The fact that he can't get on the floor should be embarrassing to him. It should motivate him to work his tail off, pay attention to every bit of instruction he receives, and become the player the team needs him to be. The fact that hasn't speaks poorly about him.
And by the way, I do recall that Eddie started McGee. So did Tapscott at first. McGee ended up starting 14 games. Their record: 3-11. I still think the kid has a world of potential. It's a shame he has thus far resisted efforts to help him develop the work ethic he needs to develop that potential.
