Productive vs. Non-productive

[thumpin big]

If you look at the box score from the game last night, you will see that Brenton Williams and BRich were much more productive statistically than were Ellington and Smith, and yet Ellington and Smith each played more than twice the minutes(32) that Williams and BRich each played(15). I am trying to understand why Frank would play unproductive players so much more than productive ones. Does anyone have a theory?

[ConwayGamecock]

Depends on what one might consider productive.....there are many roles for guards in basketball. Brenton to me seems like the closest thing we have to a consistent shooter who can hit the 3s when we need them. Leonard and Richardson have had big scoring games, but they have been inconsistent. Brenton seems like he's the one guy out there who has the all-around floor game offensively with the perimeter game and that can finish on his layups at the basket.

The thing about Brenton is he must be a terrible team defender or defender overall, or he makes a ton of mental mistakes team-wise in setting up in Coach Martin's sets, because he seems to be in Martin's doghouse all the time and is the #1 target for Martin's scream-fests whenever the team comes off the floor. I wouldn't be surprised to see him a possible candidate to transfer out of the program out of sheer frustration of being screamed at all the time.

But in either case, I don't know what kind of ball handler and distributor Brenton would be at the #1, because he hasn't had that role. It's true that both Eric and Bruce struggle moving the ball around the point and making sound passes to teammates, but they may just be the lesser evils we have for point. I seriously doubt Brian would be effective enough as a ball handler and passer to take either Eric's or Bruce's spot at point.....

[thumpin big]

Originally Posted by ConwayGamecock

Depends on what one might consider productive.....there are many roles for guards in basketball. Brenton to me seems like the closest thing we have to a consistent shooter who can hit the 3s when we need them. Leonard and Richardson have had big scoring games, but they have been inconsistent. Brenton seems like he's the one guy out there who has the all-around floor game offensively with the perimeter game and that can finish on his layups at the basket.

The thing about Brenton is he must be a terrible team defender or defender overall, or he makes a ton of mental mistakes team-wise in setting up in Coach Martin's sets, because he seems to be in Martin's doghouse all the time and is the #1 target for Martin's scream-fests whenever the team comes off the floor. I wouldn't be surprised to see him a possible candidate to transfer out of the program out of sheer frustration of being screamed at all the time.

But in either case, I don't know what kind of ball handler and distributor Brenton would be at the #1, because he hasn't had that role. It's true that both Eric and Bruce struggle moving the ball around the point and making sound passes to teammates, but they may just be the lesser evils we have for point. I seriously doubt Brian would be effective enough as a ball handler and passer to take either Eric's or Bruce's spot at point.....

Neither Brenton nor BRich are being asked to play pg now. All of the pg play is being done by Ellington and Smith. But Frank is playing Bruce and Eric together most of the game (32 minutes each last night). But look at the box score from last night and see what shows up for all 4 players. You will find that Williams and BRich accomplished more than Ellington and Smith, and they did it in less than half the minutes. Hence the mystery as to why Smith and Ellington are playing so much more.

[cockypanther]

Originally Posted by thumpin big

Neither Brenton nor BRich are being asked to play pg now. All of the pg play is being done by Ellington and Smith. But Frank is playing Bruce and Eric together most of the game (32 minutes each last night). But look at the box score from last night and see what shows up for all 4 players. You will find that Williams and BRich accomplished more than Ellington and Smith, and they did it in less than half the minutes. Hence the mystery as to why Smith and Ellington are playing so much more.

Ellington has to play point guard as we have no other option to effective run the point. Bruce is a good defender because he is so quick. He also has the ability to create plays on the offensive side with his quicks and he is easily the best ball handler on the team.

I do agree though that BRich and Williams should have been paired with him. Eric Smith simply is not a good player. He doesn't bring much to the court honestly. He is no offensive threat and on defense he is not quick enough and always gets beat off the dribble.

[thumpin big]

Originally Posted by cockypanther

Ellington has to play point guard as we have no other option to effective run the point. Bruce is a good defender because he is so quick. He also has the ability to create plays on the offensive side with his quicks and he is easily the best ball handler on the team.

I do agree though that BRich and Williams should have been paired with him. Eric Smith simply is not a good player. He doesn't bring much to the court honestly. He is no offensive threat and on defense he is not quick enough and always gets beat off the dribble.

Then why do you think Martin is playing Smith so much more than Williams or BRich?

[cockypanther]

Originally Posted by thumpin big

Then why do you think Martin is playing Smith so much more than Williams or BRich?

I don't have an answer for that, but I agree with you that either Richardson or Williams should be getting more playing time then Smith.

[cack]

Some players are better in short stints. Look at Baseball, you have pitchers that are great out of the pen for an inning or two, but are horrible in starting rolls.