The Tigers have had to deal with multiple low-post threat five men over the past three games at least. Clearly, Jazz is making progress at both ends especially growing as a more physical low post defender. Conversely, I cannot recall a single opponent five man in that stretch that participated in multiple (maybe any?) guard-to-5 mid ball screens - at 6'8" and not super strong compared to our alternatives (Jazz, Burke), Ominu is likely not ready to defend bigger, stronger and more experienced low post threats. Nor did he have a favorable matchup offensively in those games - and in those situations there are better alternatives. Hoping that is taken into consideration when the statement that Coach Smart has no confidence in Ominu - my take is he may have more confidence in Ominu is put in situations where he can be effective; for example, teams that run their five man in perimeter ball screen situations and that are maybe smaller and less stronger defenders of comparable size to Solomon. From what I've seen, Ominu is limited in what he can do offensively i.e. dumping the ball down to him in the low post is unlikely to result in an opponent's double team or an easy score. The margin for error on this team is so slim - rest assured Coach has analyzed every possible match-up and potential outcome - when Solomon has a higher probability of success, he will see the floor. Hope that helps.
I agree Jazz is making progress. Congrats to him and I hope he continues to work hard and that hard work pays dividends. I disagree regarding Ominu. Ominu can play at least a minute each half to spell Jazz or Burke. Ominu is bigger and more athletic than Jazz or Burke. You don't need to run offense for Ominu, just let him get his offense off the offensive boards. I'm confident Ominu is likely not getting it done in practice to warrant Coach Smart's attention. However given the struggles the Tigers have had with foul trouble and physical big man opponents, it can't hurt to give Ominu a minute of playing time each half in the case of fatigue or foul trouble. With all of that said, Coach Smart has forgotten more about basketball than I will ever know, so aside from grubblings on message boards and blog posts, I'll be quiet. It's just you have an athletic big man on scholarship on a team with depth and foul trouble issues. Why not use him, even sparingly, to give your team the best opportunity to win?
He will be used when coach Smart feels there is a favourable matchup for him at both ends. Coach is trying to win every game - and every possession matters. Don’t know how more plainly it can be explained
It's pretty apparent Coach Smart has no confidence in Ominu and little confidence in Keinys. Do you think this is because of practice performance, attitude, grades, or what? With a team that has depth issues and foul trouble, I would think you can at least use this young men, for a few minutes in key situations to rest starters or protect against fouls. But Ominu and Keinys never even took off their warmup sweat shirts last night.
The Tigers have had to deal with multiple low-post threat five men over the past three games at least. Clearly, Jazz is making progress at both ends especially growing as a more physical low post defender. Conversely, I cannot recall a single opponent five man in that stretch that participated in multiple (maybe any?) guard-to-5 mid ball screens - at 6'8" and not super strong compared to our alternatives (Jazz, Burke), Ominu is likely not ready to defend bigger, stronger and more experienced low post threats. Nor did he have a favorable matchup offensively in those games - and in those situations there are better alternatives. Hoping that is taken into consideration when the statement that Coach Smart has no confidence in Ominu - my take is he may have more confidence in Ominu is put in situations where he can be effective; for example, teams that run their five man in perimeter ball screen situations and that are maybe smaller and less stronger defenders of comparable size to Solomon. From what I've seen, Ominu is limited in what he can do offensively i.e. dumping the ball down to him in the low post is unlikely to result in an opponent's double team or an easy score. The margin for error on this team is so slim - rest assured Coach has analyzed every possible match-up and potential outcome - when Solomon has a higher probability of success, he will see the floor. Hope that helps.
I agree Jazz is making progress. Congrats to him and I hope he continues to work hard and that hard work pays dividends. I disagree regarding Ominu. Ominu can play at least a minute each half to spell Jazz or Burke. Ominu is bigger and more athletic than Jazz or Burke. You don't need to run offense for Ominu, just let him get his offense off the offensive boards. I'm confident Ominu is likely not getting it done in practice to warrant Coach Smart's attention. However given the struggles the Tigers have had with foul trouble and physical big man opponents, it can't hurt to give Ominu a minute of playing time each half in the case of fatigue or foul trouble. With all of that said, Coach Smart has forgotten more about basketball than I will ever know, so aside from grubblings on message boards and blog posts, I'll be quiet. It's just you have an athletic big man on scholarship on a team with depth and foul trouble issues. Why not use him, even sparingly, to give your team the best opportunity to win?
He will be used when coach Smart feels there is a favourable matchup for him at both ends. Coach is trying to win every game - and every possession matters. Don’t know how more plainly it can be explained
It's pretty apparent Coach Smart has no confidence in Ominu and little confidence in Keinys. Do you think this is because of practice performance, attitude, grades, or what? With a team that has depth issues and foul trouble, I would think you can at least use this young men, for a few minutes in key situations to rest starters or protect against fouls. But Ominu and Keinys never even took off their warmup sweat shirts last night.