This is related to the Robert Jones thread but I didn't want to harp on this there and taint what was suppose be an ode to Jones and is hard work.
Much like last year Otz is really dropping the ball in terms of utilizing/playing one of his best and most effective players. More than even my disdain for Jones' play last year was his usage, moreso Otz's penchant for for inserting BRE at the expense of Osun. While Osun had limitations, and had play sometimes dictated by foul trouble, he was often prematurely removed from games, without the faintest sign of fatigue. I maintained it was a huge mistake not to let the game (obvious signs of fatigue, foul trouble, or ineffectiveness) dictate Osun's minutes and I'm pretty sure we lost a game or two because of it.
This year Ward is an absolute force. Even more than Osun, he is one of the best players in league play when he's on the floor. We are offensively efficient and defensively devastating when he plays. Despite this, and for reasons I can't even begin to understand, Otz is arbitrarily limiting his minutes. Much like last year, the benefactor is often Jones.
Unlike last year, Jones' play isn't the reason for this concern. Bob is fine when he's on the court and I'd be happy with his utilization if he was our best or only option. The problem is he isn't and for that matter neither is King. Otz needs to play Ward until he shows he is ineffective, is in foul trouble (which has sometimes been an issue), or is obviously fatigued. But if you condition a player to only play 20ish minutes he will never learn how to manage a larger workload. I have seen nothing from Ward to indicate he isn't capable of such. While it's also likely he won't be as "fresh" (often a counterargument by some posters on here), no player is as "fresh" playing 30+ minutes compared to 20. That doesn't mean it's not the right move or that the team doesn't benefit by having a better player on the floor more. This would most certainly be the case here.
It's time for Otz to unleash the beast and allow Ward to show he can/can't handle the workload. It's not about Robert or even Tre, it's about Ward being the much better player of the 3. Largely I think Ward/Jones' minutes should mostly be dictated by the opponent and who (of those two) is more effective. In the KU game we needed King's scoring so Bob sits. In other games Bob will be the better player/matchup so King sits. Then there may be some games where Ward is ineffective or is in foul trouble. In those the other two (obviously) get more minutes.
Personally I think Otz's objectivity is clouded by Jones' work ethic. Tre and Osun should have both played more last year but Otz routinely overplayed Jones. This year Ward losing minuets to Jones (and even King). We are a much better team when Ward is on the floor and Otz is robbing the team of it's maximal potential by limiting his minutes. A 43.9% floor time rate is beyond criminal.
Much like last year Otz is really dropping the ball in terms of utilizing/playing one of his best and most effective players. More than even my disdain for Jones' play last year was his usage, moreso Otz's penchant for for inserting BRE at the expense of Osun. While Osun had limitations, and had play sometimes dictated by foul trouble, he was often prematurely removed from games, without the faintest sign of fatigue. I maintained it was a huge mistake not to let the game (obvious signs of fatigue, foul trouble, or ineffectiveness) dictate Osun's minutes and I'm pretty sure we lost a game or two because of it.
This year Ward is an absolute force. Even more than Osun, he is one of the best players in league play when he's on the floor. We are offensively efficient and defensively devastating when he plays. Despite this, and for reasons I can't even begin to understand, Otz is arbitrarily limiting his minutes. Much like last year, the benefactor is often Jones.
Unlike last year, Jones' play isn't the reason for this concern. Bob is fine when he's on the court and I'd be happy with his utilization if he was our best or only option. The problem is he isn't and for that matter neither is King. Otz needs to play Ward until he shows he is ineffective, is in foul trouble (which has sometimes been an issue), or is obviously fatigued. But if you condition a player to only play 20ish minutes he will never learn how to manage a larger workload. I have seen nothing from Ward to indicate he isn't capable of such. While it's also likely he won't be as "fresh" (often a counterargument by some posters on here), no player is as "fresh" playing 30+ minutes compared to 20. That doesn't mean it's not the right move or that the team doesn't benefit by having a better player on the floor more. This would most certainly be the case here.
It's time for Otz to unleash the beast and allow Ward to show he can/can't handle the workload. It's not about Robert or even Tre, it's about Ward being the much better player of the 3. Largely I think Ward/Jones' minutes should mostly be dictated by the opponent and who (of those two) is more effective. In the KU game we needed King's scoring so Bob sits. In other games Bob will be the better player/matchup so King sits. Then there may be some games where Ward is ineffective or is in foul trouble. In those the other two (obviously) get more minutes.
Personally I think Otz's objectivity is clouded by Jones' work ethic. Tre and Osun should have both played more last year but Otz routinely overplayed Jones. This year Ward losing minuets to Jones (and even King). We are a much better team when Ward is on the floor and Otz is robbing the team of it's maximal potential by limiting his minutes. A 43.9% floor time rate is beyond criminal.
T-Rank Player Stats - Customizable College Basketball Tempo Free Stats - T-Rank
T-Rank College Basketball Ratings and Rankings. And fun.
barttorvik.com
T-Rank Player Stats - Customizable College Basketball Tempo Free Stats - T-Rank
T-Rank College Basketball Ratings and Rankings. And fun.
barttorvik.com
