It's Too Early to be Benching Players
by Jake Whitacre on Oct 9, 2009 8:42 AM EDT
in Coaching
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PrintNitpicking always seems reach its heights in the fallout of the first game of a season, whether its the start of the preseason or the regular season. There's already been some talk about some areas that need improvement, but there's one coaching decision that from Tuesday's game that left me scratching my head.
Normally, it's hard to nitpick player rotations in the preseason since coaches are just trying to feel out players strengths and weaknesses, especially for Flip Saunders, since he's in his first season as coach. At this point of the year, it's silly to get hung up about whether Player X should have gotten more minutes than Player Y. However, handing out 3 DNP-CD's in a preseason game makes me raise my eyebrows. Benching Paul Davis and Vincent Grier is understandable. The only reason either one is with the team right now is to provide some extra bodies to use through training camp and the preseason. Neither one has a guaranteed contract and they should be gone long before October 29th.
What isn't understandable is why Mike James received no playing time on Tuesday, despite not having any injuries. Sure, he might not end up receiving regular playing time once the season starts, but what's the point in cutting off his minutes already? Even if he doesn't figure into the team's plans this season, he's still filling a roster spot and odds are, they're going to need to help out in some way or another this season. We all know the team's history with injuries. Odds are, the Wizards are going to need Mike James to play some spot minutes at some point this season. Even if injuries don't beset the team, the team still need him to give his best in practice to provide competition for the other players on the team to stay at their best.
By not even giving him minutes against Memphis, Flip isn't giving Mike any incentive to continue to play hard in practice or keep preparing in case he's called upon later in the season. Say all you want about keeping a professional attitude and all of that, it's not easy to go to work every day and stay motivated after you go and have a strong performance at camp, only to be rewarded with a warm seat on the bench. A few minutes of playing time on Tuesday would've gone a long way to show that the coaching staff appreciated Mike's efforts and want him to keep up the good work, even if they don't envision him getting much playing time. By not even giving him playing time in a game that has no bearing in the final standings, the coaching staff is essentially telling him that he's a lost cause before the season even begins.
Maybe Mike James is a lost cause and I'm just wasting my breath here. Still, I can't help but think that giving Mike James a few minutes of playing would have gone a long way in keeping his spirits up and giving him a reason to keep giving his best effort. Even if the team's only plans are to use him in a salary dump move or buy him out at some point in the season, keeping him happy and motivated only increases his trade value and gives the team a better return on their investment while he's still a part of the team. By not giving him minutes because the team doesn't feel he's worth the time, the team dooms itself to self-fulfilling prophecy.
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I think I would withhold judgement
until after the next few preseason games. I believe Flip said he would rest players on a rotation in the preseason.
I agree, and...
While this win didn’t matter in the standings I’d argue it was key for the collective team’s psyche. Given it was tight until late in the 4th quarter, I think it was appropriate to play to win. Finally, we’re not aware of what conversation Flip and James have had – maybe James knows what situations to expect to be played. Maybe he knew he probably wouldn’t come in. Maybe he punched Sam Cassell on the team bus. Let’s try not to read to much into these things.
Here’s a short list of players who earned a DNP-CD in their team’s pre-season opener: Kenyon Martin, Kirk Hinrich, Tony Battie, Acie Law.
I'm not with you, Jake
Because James would have inevitably taken minutes away from Randy Foye at the point, and Foye needs those minutes for development purposes.
I’d rather see Foye develop better with James sulking than James being happy and Foye potentially being behind.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I agree with your point
Of course it’s more important to develop Randy Foye than keep Mike James happy. He means way more to this team in the short and long term. I just don’t see how giving Mike James 5 minutes or so of playing time would’ve hurt Randy’s development all that much. Maybe Flip originially had Mike in the rotation on Tuesday and Gilibert playing longer than planned threw that off.
I know I’m overreacting/overreaching here, I just think giving Mike a few minutes in a preseason game just to show that his efforts are appreciated would have been a nice gesture. That’s probably a page out of the Ed Tapscott Palace of Good Playbook, but it just seems like good policy to me.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
by Jake Whitacre on Oct 9, 2009 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
You're overreaching here...
We don’t know why James didn’t play. Your entire thesis is based on unfounded assumptions, simple as that. It’s a commentary based on air and clouds, and a poor addition to BF.
talk about overreaching...
Jake has a point. I think we need to wait a little before judgement on Flip’s rotations, but I would certainly say if James goes most of the preseason without playing at all, then that’s probably a mistake on Flip’s part.
Right now James is probably the 4th string PG when Crittendon returns healthy. But if Arenas or Foye gets injured, Flip should think hard about who’s the better first PG off the bench between Crittendon and James, assuming the Wizards are competitive this year.
That for me is enough to give James some minutes this preseason. On the other hand, he is a veteran and should be expected to perform to a certain level whatever circumstances are thrown his way.
by Johnnie Futbol on Oct 9, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
But I wasn't overreaching...
My point was that we don’t know why James didn’t play. Maybe he told Flip he was sick. Maybe he had a tight hamstring. Maybe Flip plays him a lot the next game. But Jake is making suppositions based on information he doesn’t have. That’s what I was pointing out, nothing more.
I get what you're saying
But Flip never went out of his way to say that there was something wrong with Mike before or after the game and James is listed as a DNP – Coach’s Decision in the boxscore. Maybe there’s something more to Mike not playing that I don’t know about, that’s entirely possible, but if it is what it looks like, then I think Flip is making a mistake in handling the situation.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
by Jake Whitacre on Oct 9, 2009 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Right
It’s fair to do this until we get any indication that there was a reason behind James not playing. None has been provided thus far (trust me, I’ve been there and heard Flip). Normally, the dude goes out of his way to say why a guy didn’t play. He didn’t do that for James.
I’m still having trouble seeing where the assumption here was made. The fact is, James didn’t play. The fact is, James was listed as a DNP-Coaches Decision. The fact is, James dressed, so he wasn’t sitting out because Flip wanted to rest him. He could have played, he was dressed to play, and he didn’t play. That’s certainly enough information to form an opinion.
To call this a poor addition to BF is pretty harsh. Jake’s been around since the very beginning. He’s as much of a front-page writer as I am. He deserves better than that. You could have made your point without doing that.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
So, Mike...
Because Jake does a great job with BF (and he does), we’re not allowed to make negative assessments of something he writes? Is that your stance?
Let me be clear: Jake is a treasure. I love his stuff, as I do yours and most everyone else’s. This is my main Wiz stop on the Internet. But I will continue to call ’em as I see ’em. Negative commentary is useful, if it is taken as constructive criticism, which it was. Calling something “poor” is hardly a guns-blazing assault.
Basically, don’t be so sensitive, Mike.
There's a difference between being critical and saying what someone writes has no place on the site
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
And I'm not sure you understand the difference...
You’re going to have tough sledding as a journalist if this is how you react to criticism. If you’re allowed to have your opinion, Jake’s allowed to have his, and others are allowed to have theirs, why not me? Did I attack Jake personally? Did I use profanity? Please explain how I crossed the line.
I just said it was pretty harsh
Which it was. I didn’t delete your comment or anything. And there’s nothing wrong with saying there’s too much speculation in Jake’s post (which I disagree with and said so), but to say it’s a “poor addition to BF” is … well … harsh. That’s an opinion.
And while I appreciate you looking out for my journalism instincts as a fellow journalist, this isn’t about a journalist/subject relationship; it is about a community member/community member relationship, which has different parameters.
If you’re still not convinced or if you think I was being too harsh in my criticism of your criticism, feel free to e-mail me and we’ll talk about it there. My e-mail’s on the bottom of the page.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Thanks for the feedback, Mike
Let’s just agree to disagree here. I hope that future articles will be less speculative in nature; that’s all I’m saying.
I want to reiterate, however, that this is the best Wizards site on the Web, IMO, and I’m grateful for all the fantastic content that you, Jake, Truth and everyone else produces. You’re doing all Wiz fans a great service here.
i like speculative
please don’t make this site by the numbers journalism. i already have several outlets for that. speak your mind! please! please!!!!!!!!!!!
by DarrellWalkerFan on Oct 9, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Hm.
I don’t want to get too involved here, but, well wait, if that was true, I wouldn’t be making this comment.
If Jake’s opinion and reading of not playing James is a poor addition to BF, then your opinion and disagreement with Jake is also a poor addition to BF.
But Jake is making suppositions based on information he doesn’t have.
Isn’t that what we do here at BF? I do it everyday when I talk to my buddies about Wizards basketball. It’s fun, and any opinion is a worthy addition to BF to stimulate conversation. Already, we have nearly 30 comments on this, which is great.
Negative commentary is useful, if it is taken as constructive criticism, which it was.
I agree, but perhaps you can see why we think saying something is a “poor addition” to BF is not constructive. Since it’s a matter of opinion, you can just as easily say your comment and opinion is a poor addition to BF.
You’re going to have tough sledding as a journalist if this is how you react to criticism.
Haha, I’m not sure how to react to this, but it sounds like something my little brother would say to get on my nerves. I hate this comment, and I’m sure I could go off in explaining why it’s lousy and petty, but that might be a poor addition to BF.
Go Bullets!
My swag was phenomenal.
I'm not surprised you didn't get that last comment...
As it wasn’t directed at you. And you’re certainly welcome to your opinion of my comments.
However, if I made a comment about your personal hygiene, for example, and didn’t know anything about your personal hygiene, would you consider that comment fair or not? Would it fall into the category of a “good comment” or “poor comment”? That’s my point.
James is the Todd Collins of this team
perhaps flip feels James is a veteran, and he’ll be ready whenever he’s called, so he doesn’t need a whole lot of preseason minutes
twitter.com/rashad20
Good call ... you gonna ask him that tonight?
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It.net and Bullets Forever.
i'd like to defend jake's post
i agree with it for the most part.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Oct 9, 2009 10:48 AM EDT reply actions
and i pretty much
thoroughly enjoy all jake’s posts. especially the ones with the funny images and diagrams
by DarrellWalkerFan on Oct 9, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I have some other gripes
- Flip only played Arenas 24 minutes — how are the Wizards going to win if Arenas plays so little?
- Same with Caron and his 24 minutes.
- Haywood played only 28 minutes.
- Nick Young started.
- Nick Young only played 18 minutes.
- Oberto only played 7 minutes. Either bad coaching there, or Ernie made a terrible signing.
- There was one out of bounds play that I didn’t like.
- Flip didn’t work the refs enough.
- Mike Miller was 0-1 from three, so obviously was cold and should have been benched.
Buh ... you do realize it's the preseason, right?
I don’t think we should be worried about minutes.
And you’re talking about benching Mike Miller because he missed a shot in the preseason? C’mon man … have a little patience and perspective.
Wait … you’re kidding/being facetious, right?
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It.net and Bullets Forever.
Line drills!
Up and back, ten times. Go!
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Ha! Well ... you never know.
Gotta remember that this is NOT Wizards Insider.
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It.net and Bullets Forever.
I say
We bench Arenas since he isn’t being aggressive enough and isn’t scoring like he used to. Who’s with me?
JaVale McGee only played 12 minutes
BUST!
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
by Jake Whitacre on Oct 9, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Dues
I think James has earned the right to have to earn the right to get minutes. His play last year was some of the worst I’ve ever seen in the NBA. Meanwhile, he’s currently being paid over $6M to be ready to step in if two PGs get hurt. I respect that he’s doing everything he can to be ready for any opportunity that arises, but I don’t think Flip owes him any special minutes. If the rest of the team was slacking and he was busting his butt, you could start him to make a point, but what I’m hearing is that everyone is going all out except Javale. (Speaking of which, Javale’s situation reminds me of a documentary I saw on Sun Ming Ming — he couldn’t develop endurance and it turned out he had a tumor on his pituitary which was causing him to grow but also prevented him from developing stamina — last I heard Javale was 7’1" and still growing. Maybe they should MRI his noggin).
Anyway, it might be nice for Flip to throw James a bone, but it seems highly improbable that we’ll need him in a scenario where the team is winning, so I don’t see this as a strategic error. Besides, I’m a big believer in only having deep bench guys that are hungry enough to stay ready without hand-holding. It’s more of a temperment than anything, and if you don’t have it a few minutes aren’t going to change that. The most important thing these guys achieve in a successful season is keep the focus and intensity levels high in practice.
Only six hours to tipoff....
It’s Friday gents, go out and have a few beers and then head over to MCI and enjoy the fun…
As far as James PT goes, it is way more important to see what Arenas, Foye, Miller, Stevenson an Young can do… I would wager that even if Critt had not ben hurt he would have gotten a DNP-CD for the Memphis game too.
That said, I would not be surprised if Flip gives James a couple of minutes guarding Terry…
It's the Verizon Center
It hasn’t been the MCI Center in years. But since there’s always confusion, I just prefer calling it the Phone Booth.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Yeah
I was being sarcastic. I hadn’t heard it called the MCI center in awhile, so I chose Verizon’s competitor.
I’m just happy it’s not at the Cap Center anymore. I loved the Cap Center – grew up on it, but DC is much closer for me.
GO BULLETS.
We should get creamed tonight, since, you know, the ‘10 Mavs are better than the ’06 Finals Mavs. Looking forward to seeing Dirk’s beauty hair flow. Miss those Sasha videos.
Anyone else just so psyched for the NBA season to start?
My swag was phenomenal.
Yes I am . . .
Especially with a 65-1 ticket on the Wizards winning the East!
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Oct 9, 2009 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with the OP
No harm giving MJ a few minutes. DNP-CD is a slap in the face, although a light one. He seems to have worked hard in the offseason, I think he should get a few minutes if only to keep him from grumbling and to maintain any trade value he might have along with his expiring.
Of course it’s just one game so no need to go nuts. We’ll see tonight.
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