hey, I'm not one to suggest coaching solutions, as I think they are as speculative as trade rumors. I just wanna scout. but anyhow, I thought this was interesting enough to offer as a discussion. I love Knight history, and there's a story about when he played on the national champion Ohio State team with Havlicek and Jerry Lucas. Knight was a "scrub" on the one of the best teams ever. Being his cocky self, he thought he should play more; he was a great shooter. He complained a lot about it, and one game he came off the bench in the first half and was en fuego. He said to an assistant...so do you think I'll get to start the second half. nope. He was peeved. Well, story has it that he never got over that, so as a coach, anytime a bench player totally outplays the starter in the first half, the bench player starts the second...."every time, all bench players are eligible." alright, no one really does this in the pros for many reasons. It does have a college appeal, for obvious reason. But in isolation in an existing platoon situation, would you do What Bobby Knight Does? <b>Eddie Griffin and Maurice Taylor</b> Would you start the better first half one in the second half, as a rule...and tell them that? may I ask that we limit this to just EG and MT, since Rudy has done this at our PF position...at least I remember KT getting the nod once. imo, it would only apply and work for a platoon position in the pros.
First of all, being a Tech alum myself, I love Knight! (hope he stays there, he's gained alot of respect lately) That being said: 1. NOW, I like Mo over EG, but.....I'd still trade Mo before Griff. Griff still has potential, and I hate the "highs" we got last year being a waste. 2. If there were any way to trade the two of them for a "real" PF (and yes, I'd do this for Malone), I'd do it. I'd also trade both for Brand. (NO OFFENSE to funny cigarette guys!) MY official stance is, at least statistically, these are NOT the kind of guys who want to make it to the next level. They're happy with what they've received, and aren't (at least for now) thinking it'll ever stop. Can they change? Of course, but the Q is will they? I Like both these guys! But if we can package them, do it. Just a humble Rocket's fan's opinion.
so, Fatty, your take on the platoon question is to do more redundant trade speculation? man, I never thought of that. Maybe I should have started a thread: What Would Realgm Do?
I'll play along. Anything is worth a try. So, yes. I'd try it. But they could conspire against you. "Hey, I need a break. I'm going to slack off in the 1st half. I'll get your back next game." IMHO, the best way to motivate lazy players is to get your "leaders" to raise the bar. And if the "slackers" don't hang with the big dogs, they show out like sore thumbs. leaders = Francis and Yao Also, I wonder if MoT and Griff really care about starting anymore. Yes, no, maybe? I'm not sure anymore.
I dont know how Bobby Knight would handle guys like EG and MoT but it wouldnt be pretty. Remember the reaction to KTs 29 pt game off the bench..MoT slammed his way out of the locker room and sulked until KT was traded and Eddie just accepted that KT was better. I dont think Bobby would have liked either reaction.
yeah, I lost a *LOT* of respect for Eddie when he said [paraphrasing], "Kenny is playing the best of us three right now. Maybe him moving to the 3 is the answer." he said it in such a "oh, well, but I still get the PF position by divine right, right?" Maurice was flat out a p***y for storming out for his DNP. People said a lot about how polished he was in the media...but his "no comment" thundered compared to KT's (which was about contract issues). And it's not like Maurice didn't know he has to be perfect in the media when returning after going down for a year a mere weeks after signing a huge contract then getting his 3rd positive. MoT was trying to be a pretty boy, and Eddie was just a boy. I still like Mo, though, but I have very limited respect for Eddie and his lack of effort when just handed an NBA starting role when not deserving it, at all. yeah, I think Bobby Knight would handle it a lot differently. KT would have been kept happier, because he earned it.
bobby knight would headbutt moochie. oh, and he would platoon eddie/motay based on half-by-half performance. and i agree with that 100%.
Two years ago MoT was Mr. First Quarter. This year he was Mr. Fourth Quarter. Strange turn of events. My vote would probably be MoT off the bench, and definitely the last 10 minutes of the game. If Cato is in, MoT should also be in, to give us some low post offense (money hook shot). Cato could balance MoT's rebounding deficiencies, as well.
By the way, I'd welcome any coach that had more dicipline than any of our coaches (even as an assistant). But does any one know how Knight is doing in Texas? Has he mellowed? Or is the same as in Indiana?
I hate Knight with a passion! I think he's Exhibit #1 on what's wrong with sports today. The people at Tech can all line up to kiss his a** but you can count me out. Remember, when you dance with the devil, the devil doesn't change - the devil changes you. The Rockets have serious problems but they DON'T need this charlton.
To address your actual question (as I understand it ), after last season?? Hell yes. Of the 2 guys, whoever is hot in the first half (clearly smokin') start them in the second. If EG and MoT are what we're "stuck" with at PF this Fall, then I'm all for trying ANYTHING to light a fire under their ***. If this works, then their egos can massage themselves after they game. I could care less. I want consistency at the PF spot. The staff needs to stop bending over for some of these guys. They're not children... well, most of them.
I've always been a best matchup/ mismatch/ personnel on the floor kind of strategist myself. Bobby K: Hey Yao. It's me, Hoosier Daddy!
Whatever Knight would do, it would be way over the top for multi-millionaire professional athletes. If you want a sneak preview of WWCKD, watch Sloan next year w/o Stockton & Malone.
