was he got a foul per quarter. Oden came out very strong in the first period and made some solid post scores. I have no idea why Nate would pull Oden out of the First, only to bring him in with 3 minutes left in the second half. He played only 8 minutes in the first half, with 1 foul. I understand Nate wants to regulate his fouls, but he promised Oden 1 foul per quarter. How can a big man get into rhythm when he doesn't get good playing time in the first half? I know, over-all he had 30 minutes +, but he was brought in when the outside shot got tight. Then it was much easier for the defense to collapse on him. I think Nate did a piss poor job of rotations last night. It should have been more Rudy, less Blake, more miller and should have played Oden more in the first half.
I agree, but I seem to remember he was back in at about 8 minutes left in the 2nd. I'm okay with him sitting Oden down when he has 2 fouls, maybe this rule helps him concentrate better, whatever... BUT I would still like to see if he can learn to play on with 2 fouls, and maybe it would make more sense to apply it more loosely, like if he makes dumb mistakes, sit him, but don't do it if it's just some phantom BS call. But the rule about not letting him play in the 2nd half at all, no matter what happens is just wrong. Also, it gives an advantage to the opponent knowing all they have to is attack him like crazy, and he's done for the 1st half. And don't even get me started about taking him out at the 6 minute mark with 0 or 1 fouls etc. He's averaging 4.2 fouls in 24 minutes. At this pace, he'd foul out in 34 minutes... Then why not play him 32 minutes on average?
Yeah the mechanical subbing of him is lame as hell. Shit the mechanical subbing of the entire team is. I would give him a ton of burn in the beginning of the game. At least 15 minutes in the first half, regardless of his foul situation (under 4 fouls). Why not? If he gets seriously in foul trouble, sit him out until the 4th quarter.
It could be just my impression, but it seems the referees allow more contact later in the game than earlier in the game. I think Nate does have a clue -- at least on this issue. He doesn't know how many useful minutes he is going to get from Oden before the referees take him out of action. I think he is maximizing the quality minutes by saving him for the 2nd half once he senses the referees are going to be ticky-tacky early. FWIW
Yes, I remembered right: http://www.nba.com/games/20091116/PORATL/gameinfo.html?ls=gt2hp0020900147#nbaGIPlay He played until 4:12 left in the first quarter (0 PF) He went in with 8:07 left in the 2nd, picked up his first foul, then sat down with 3:09 (that's what I didn't unterstand). He played 13 out of 24 minutes in the first half. Lame...
OK, I can get behind that, but then he doesn't even play him as much he should when he has no fouls. Maybe it's to please Joel the vet.
That's odd because at half time it showed he only had 8 minutes played on the nba.com game box score at half time. Hmmm.
substitutions and playing patterns have been a bit of a head scratcher at times in most of the first 12 games, and not just for Greg. Who knows what Nate is thinking.
It really boggles my mind. I have seen a player start getting into the groove, only to be substituted for another player. I really wish Nate would ride a player until they get a little cold.
Greg shouldn't come out unless he's in foul trouble or he's tired. Nate, however, has his bullshit sub patterns that he sticks to like clockwork. Doesn't matter if someone is red hot. Doesn't matter if someone is ice cold. They come out when they come out. That is one of the primary reasons why he's a terrible coach. Watch the fucking game and adjust according to WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE COURT. If Rudy has hit three straight shots you MIGHT want to leave him in... Some things about this team are maddening. They go away from the hot hand. They'll play great for a stretch, and then one or two guys will go all Rambo on us and start jacking up shots. The team will get a good flow and then Nate will switch the lineup and we'll come to a screeching halt. Greg should be playing 30+ a game (fouls permitting). Andre should be playing 30+ a game.
