Got to be sometging going on to only get 5 minutes again. BK alluded to roster working itself out for another schollie, and Diallo and Bullock seem the likely attrition candidates, but at some point Laurent has to get fed up, no? Love his upside, can't speak to his work in practice but his leash seems shorter than everyone else.
Laurent's minutes
- Thread starter S.W.A.I.N
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Not an outside threat, Gettys and Freeman in the paint. Matador D and doesn't close out on the 3. Just seeing what Pikiell sees.
Plus we were down most of the game. We needed to catch up and Laurent wasn't helping. If he gets easy buckets and contributes on the defensive end, he stays in.
Laurent and Thiam are very similar players in regards to the defensive end, flow of the offense, and energy. Difference is Thiam is an outside threat, which we need.
Plus we were down most of the game. We needed to catch up and Laurent wasn't helping. If he gets easy buckets and contributes on the defensive end, he stays in.
Laurent and Thiam are very similar players in regards to the defensive end, flow of the offense, and energy. Difference is Thiam is an outside threat, which we need.
So if he doesn't deserve minutes we should still play him? Who do you pull out of the rotation?
We finally have depth, players need to earn their minutes, every team has players that are on scholarship not playing regularly nevermind not playing a lot of minutes. Coach knows who he needs in the game to win the game and thats all that fans should care about
If he got 5 of Mike and Issas minutes that makes 15 mins for him. Hard to improve if you aren't on the court, and without DeShawn and CJ next year think we need some front court development. Shaq, Laurent and Diallo are all front court players we will need next year and played less than 10mins today
Gotta consider long term. We lose alot of talent after next year. He should get all of Omoruyi minutes. And it's not like he can't play.
The way Williams is playing, why would you take minutes away? Thiam is the better player over Laurent right now? If Laurent doesn't step it up he may lose the 5 he got tonight.
He is playing great no doubt...had second most minutes and didn't start...take 5 from Freeman then...there are minutes to be had. Again, he isn't going to help us in the future if he doesn't play.
If Omoruyi is playing well why should his minutes be taken away? If Laurent wants more minutes give Coach reasons not to take him out.
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Absolutely !! Players earn minutes. Players compete for minutes.
Deshawn will be back next year. You can't worry about keeping players happy. We could have easily lost this game without Mike Williams being on the floor as much as he played. Laurent starts, he gets a chance to play and sometimes you just got to take advantage of the limited minutes you get and that will lead to more minutes. We played a lot of today's game from behind and the best lineup was with 3 guards. I hope Laurent is happy to be on a winning team and knowing his time will come if he improves.
I agree. But what I'm saying is Laurent got the same minutes and was not glaringly bad. I think he has a shorter leash.
I didn't see the game so can't really comment on who played well and who didn't. Just addressing the general premise that minutes should be taken from others and given to Laurent. To me that is a bad premise. Regarding Omoruyi, his minutes are spotty and more situational, and not consistent.
Does it really matter? It is one game and it was only 5 minutes.
Player better and the minutes will increase.
It was also the matchup. SB played 10 players, 7 of them were guards. You saw a lot of Sanders, Williams and Johnson.....even a walkon guard in the first half.
As several posters mentioned above, Thiam is probably one of the best shooters on the team. Laurent will just have to compete for minutes.
That is why we are 9-1. There is a fight for minutes all the time. Some win and some lose. Season is 1/3 over. 2/3 left.
It wasn't one game. He has had less than 10 minutes most of the last month. So yes it matters. And its hard to "play better" from the bench. In his limited minutes he didn't do anything so egregious he should ride pine the whole game.
That isn't the premise..the premise is WHY are his minutes so limited? And if its a case of a lot of talent and not what he is doing wrong, then yes, you should parse a few minutes from others for his overall development, which obviously will only help the team. And from what I've seen, I don't think his on court play is that far off from most of the team.
Don't mean to pick on you, but the Rutgers mentality in most sports is always worrying about the future. Maybe this coach thinks he can win right now and that is his main concern. $$$$
Wow, no crap..sorry I asked a question about why a kid who started for us can't get any minutes. I don't recall stating that Coach is wrong...just that it is odd a talented player is so far in the doghouse. Sorry to waste your valuable time with this thread.
Not picking on me, I asked a question and am getting (quasi) answers. Again, your answer is pure speculation, but could be a possibility.
I don't understand why our fans seem to like the idea of giving minutes no matter what without knowing what's going on behind the scenes. It seems to be our thing.
In basketball, we are 9-1. Second guessing any of pikiells decisions right now seems foolish
There is a difference between second guessing and simply posing a question. Pike doesn't need you to defend him from simple questions on a message board.
Pike is never gonna come out and say what's going on behind the scenes. You get the full story when a player is doing everything they have to, not when they aren't.
Let it go buddy. Team is 9-1. Laurent is starting and has to earn minutes. Lots of 3 guards sets needed today. Not to mention he missed covering his man first play of the game and SB took 3-0 lead out the gate. Every play counts.
GO RU
I don't know what is getting lost in translation..I cuoldn't be happier ith where we are. I think everything the staff has done has been perfect thus far. Player development is clear to see. I simply asked a simple question...why isn't a guy good enough to start not getting more than 5 minutes..if you don't know then don't respond. It was in no way an indictment ofd the staff or there decisions. I am a lifelong passionate fan who asked a question..on a Rutgers message board...seems pretty innocent. And you mentioning the fact he lost his man on a play would be a good place to start. Again, not questioning the staff, simply asking a question.
My take is that Laurent played at lot of four out of necessity last year with all the injuries to the big and lost a lot of perimeter development time
He is being asked to play a different oostion and he doesn't look comfortable in it ...on offense or defense
Hopefully it will slow down for him soon
He is being asked to play a different oostion and he doesn't look comfortable in it ...on offense or defense
Hopefully it will slow down for him soon
Makes some sense for sure. I know he worked on his outside shot in offeseason, and he seems athletic/quick enough to guard...just maybe the mental aspect
This is my opinion, posted in another thread:
"I would NOT say Laurent is not buying in - there is no evidence of that. After all, he IS starting, eh?
I think he is just not playing well enough to gain more minutes - not at this time. His defense has been so-so at best and he has forced too much on offense. When in, he does seem okay in the rebounding department.
RU has chosen to go with 3 guards at times: Sanders, Johnson and Williams. That cuts into the SF slot playing time (Laurent). And while Omoruyi has also been inconsistent on defense, and does not add a lot to offense, he appears to be making fewer MISTAKES on offense ... thus getting some chances over Laurent in some situations."
Maybe Laurent got more minutes last year than he deserved by default because of a depleted roster and limited alternative talent. While he certainly showed some potential and Pike thought enough of his defense in the preseason to make him a starter, Pike also said he does not care who starts. Having depth and options to move guys in and out is a good thing and if Pike feels like others are playing better, then Laurent has two choices: pick it up and fight for additional minutes, or just stew about it and bide his time. Hopefully he asks about and understands his role and works toward improving his value to the team.
Laurent will have his moments this year. B1G schedule coming, let's watch this play out. The guy that needs to improve is Doorson, we will need to get a 5 next year, Getty's has been tremendous. He will get exposed in B1G play, but what an upgrade.
Most of you guys were probably not at the game. I'm sure Jonathan isn't happy for his minutes of late but I think he realizes that minutes must be earned. He lost his man on the opening tip and the guy buried a three. He just needs to stay on his man and to try not to make mistakes. Our offense did much better last night with 3 guards on the floor at the same time. We did very well especially when we had Nigel, Corey and Mike all playing at the same time. I'm sure Jonathan will work harder and will do better in many of our games.
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