Coach Is an Idiot for Benching Ford, Rush

[sm182]

Given the fact that these two haven't played great ball, one might think that their back-to-back games benching is appropriate.

Is this team going to win with Dahntay Jones playing 30+ mins at sg? Is this team going anywhere with Earl Watson handling the point?

Absolutely not, its 2 games into the season and O'Brien is already in panic mode. They're called starters for the a reason, you stick with your starting group because they're the best 5 guys you got at this positions.

And if O'Brein is trying to send a message to get these two guys fired up. Well it may work and Pacers are in the same position they should have been. But if it backfires and it pisses off Ford and Rush well you can chalk the season done as being an unsuccessful one. O'Brien is a dumbass. Just as Nate MacMillan in Portland is an idiot for benching Andre Miller.

[Miller4ever]

TJ Ford is banged up.

I don't know what the hell is up with Rush, but he did pick up two quick fouls and did nothing on offense.

[Dunthreevy]

Ford - Minutes FG % Assists Points
-------- 22.0 --- .167--- 1.5---- 5.0

Enough said

[PR07]

It seems early for players to already be in the doghouse. Both guys need to play more though.

[8305]

I said when we acquired him that it would only be a matter of time before Watson took over the starting pg position. He's already getting more minutes. He's a better outside shooter and defender than TJ pure and simple. This team needs the toughness and the offensive system values the outside shooting. I think TJ is over-rated and at the end of the day Watson and Ford are journeymen point guards. Everyone has figured that out about Watson. People hoping for more than that out of Ford are kidding themselves.

Rush is another story. Probably the best athlete on the team. The biggest thing holding him back is himself. Unfortunately, the disappearing act has been going on since he was in college. It may just be who he is. I wonder if coming off the bench might not be helpful. Last year he started playing well when Granger was down. O'Brien had to start him and Rush seemed to relax, look for his shot and find himself. Maybe coming off the bench he would do the same thing?

[mizzoupacers]

Rush is another story... the disappearing act has been going on since he was in college.

True, and this is the reason I had mixed feelings about him when we drafted him. I saw it pretty regularly in his three years in the Big 12. He's got the talent, I'm just not sure he's got the drive to become a good NBA player.

I'm holding out hope though. It's still very early in his pro career.

[Scoot McGroot]

Rush is another story... the disappearing act has been going on since he was in college.

True, and this is the reason I had mixed feelings about him when we drafted him. I saw it pretty regularly in his three years in the Big 12. He's got the talent, I'm just not sure he's got the drive to become a good NBA player.

I'm holding out hope though. It's still very early in his pro career.

Yup. You called it in pre-draft conversation quite often and held firm.

Kudos.


Now, let's hope Rush grows out of it. Otherwise, he's not much more than a rotational player.

[davitogreat]

Well what i am hearing is that the reason he is benching them is because of their defence. Both players need to step it up on the defensive end if they want to get the minutes they deserve.

[jowglenn]

I have wanted to bring Ford off the bench ever since we got Watson. Rush, I have no idea. Maybe we should start him, maybe start Dahntay Jones, I don't know.

But I like the idea of Watson starting. Granger/Murphy/Hibbert and whoever we have at SG is good for starting offense. It's the bench offense that is worrisome. Having Ford play mainly with the 2nd team would give a little more offensive power to that team.

With Rush, I think we give him a bit more of a chance, but reduce his minutes if he keeps being so bad. Leave him as a starter for now. If Jones keeps up his good work, bring him off the bench but give him starter's minutes. I only say this because Rush is a 2nd-year guy. Maybe it'll take him a little longer to get into the season, and I think we need to give him that chance for more than 3 games. I think that "sending him a message" could screw up his confidence. If he's still dogging it after 10/15 games or so, then bench him.

Ford, however, is a long-time pro, and I don't care about his "confidence" so let's go ahead and bench him.

[basketballwacko2]

TJ looks bad so far but I don't know what is up with him physically? Maybe sick or something. He better get himself going.

[magee]

While Rush is the first round pick, Jones is getting paid more and has more experience. He's a better defender right now and until Rush gets it, he's better off coming off the bench, at least for this year. As far as Ford goes, he's abetter back-up because most NBA teams can't match that speed off the bench at PG.

[HomieOmey]

Sucks to see that TJ still can't get a break. He's played with some fairly equal PG's though, so I guess he has to stay on his game. He just has so much more potential than Watson and can have a much bigger impact on the game when he's on his game.

[KennerLeaguer]

^^^

Ford is shooting 36% and averaging only 2.2 assists per game for a team that likes to run. That's terrible.

[Gremz]

And he looks funny too!

[joeshmoe]

O'Brien is a dumbass. Just as Nate MacMillan in Portland is an idiot for benching Andre Miller.

+1