I was reading a piece on the Detroit Pistons discussing their playing rotation and the lack of 2nd year man Jason Maxiell’s involvement in it. The writer made the point that the media and the Pistons’ coaching staff were appalled that some people think the former Cincinnati Bearcat should be given an opportunity to play instead of a veteran like Nazr Mohammed. The writer commented that this has been a pattern with Detroit. His example was current Jazz center Mehmet Okur.
The coaches and front office had a thousand and one reasons why Okur couldn’t play. He couldn’t defend. He wasn’t an inside player. He wasn’t a shot blocker. So, Okur signed a free agent deal with Utah and now starts on one of the better teams in the NBA. He’s averaging over 16 points per game. Obviously, there are some things he can do well.
What struck me is the same thing is going on here with the Cavaliers. Can anyone explain why rookies Daniel Gibson and Shannon Brown cannot get any playing time. I’m sure Mike Brown will tell you they don’t play defense well, they don’t take good shots, or they don’t understand what the Cavs are doing offensively. My question is: What makes them any different from Damon Jones or David Wesley? Jones and Wesley are veterans, and coaches love experience.
The problem with this mentality is the young players might be able to do better if given the chance. We all know what we are getting from Jones. He’s a good three point shooter. If he’s not making shots from behind the arc, he’s giving the team nothing. We don’t know what Brown and Gibson can give us. The latter has looked good in spurts, but the other night in Seattle, he didn’t get off the bench. The following night in Portland, he jump started a lethargic offense in the second quarter, but didn’t get in the game in the second half until after the Trail Blazers were on a roll.
Why wouldn’t coaches start the season giving the younger player an opportunity, and if it doesn’t work out, then he could go to the veteran. It just makes sense. You know the performance level the veteran will give you. The rookie just might turn out to be a very good player, an upgrade over the veteran. However, with the attitude of most coaches, you will never find out. I know, I know, the veteran is outplaying the rookie in practice. That’s because the older player knows the tricks of the trade, how to grab without being caught, etc. But, how will be younger player learn these things if they can’t play in games.
It’s too late for the Cavs this season. Let’s hope if Danny Ferry has to include Brown or Gibson in a trade to get an experienced player, they don’t turn out to be the next Mehmet Okur. Maybe the so called missing piece for the Cavs is already on the roster. It might just be a case of a coach focusing on what a player can’t do, rather than what he can.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 