re: Wade opted for O'Neal instead of Reid during crunch time....

I've been pretty critical of Wade lately. However, I gotta give props for his decision to start Eason (should be permanent starter IMHO) and his decision to go with O'Neal down the stretch.

I think O'Neal is quicker and more athletic than Reid. Reid has size and no doubt he'll eventually be on an NBA roster for pretty much that reason. However, right now he's more a liability. He's too slow overall. Offensively, he plays softer than he should and defensively he hasn't learn to use his size correctly. The fact that he often switches in the defensive rotation and ends up on guards is downright horrible. Its a bad match-up 2-fold. It allows guards to easily create their own shot off the dribble when he's guarding them, often leading to an uncontested shot. Also, it takes him away from the paint which allows them to drive past him, creating the need for help, thus allowing an uncontested layup when the help defender rotates again.

IMHO the starting lineup should be Pinson, Murray, Eason, Days, and O'Neal. Gaines should come to give Pinson a breather but also at times Pinson and Gaines should be on the floor together, depending on the opponent. Against certain opponents, a 2 point guard lineup can have many advantages, even if just for short stretches.

As O'Neal is given more minutes, I think he'll become more confident and show quick improvement offensively and defensively. Our greatest attribute is putting one of the most athletic lineups in MBB on the floor and to that end, O'Neal gets the nod over Reid.

I wish our fans would quit beating up on Reid. WW threw him into the starting lineup without him being developed more. He's young and has gotten pushed around and lost confidence. You don't throw your kid into the lake if he doesn't know how to swim yet.

Reid will learn and become a good player. I hope he sticks around.

And they don’t have to guard Wilkinson
His one shot was clutch but he needs to be part of the offense to make it easier on other guys

I have been really critical of Reid and imo it is deserved. He doesn’t have good BB IQ and isn’t physically ready. It’s not totally Reid’s fault as Reef couldn’t go until recently and isn’t in top BB shape yet but I think Reef needs the mins right now. Reid can come in and give Reef a breather. Plus maybe that takes some pressure off Reid.

I think Reid will be a great player for us but not this year. He has bad handles and puts the ball on the floor way too often for a big. I’ve never seen anyone foul as often as he does either. He needs an off season and next year I think he comes back ready to contribute significantly in a more positive way.

Frankly Reid doesn’t yet know how to play basketball. He is extremely gifted but he isn’t good at basketball yet.

He’ll get there. But he’s not there now.
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For example, he has a beautiful drop step towards the baseline, and always seems to get caught up on the pump fake...That shot is open for him, and he needs to take it.

Also, what's one of the first things they teach a big guy NOT to do. Don't bring the ball down on a rebound... Last night he got picked 2x. On one, there wasn't a guy between him and the basket, and he put it on the floor...

The kid could be special, but he is young and needs to toughen up. No reason that guy rolled in that layup.. If you are going to foul him, foul him...

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Plus he gives some upper class leadership. We had 2 sophs 2 freshmen and O’Neal.

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People think he’s young since he hasn’t played much. Some guy last week was talking like that. I was like uh bruh dude is 22 years young.

I don't disagree with the decision - however O"Neal has got to get stronger and tougher - he has trouble handling the ball in the post and he is also shooting a whopping %16.7 from the free throw line - will cost us late in a game

O'Neal with those jumpers looked like uncle Kobe instilled a lil "Mamba Mentality" in him.

Reid's fouling has made him a liability when things are tight I feel like. For better and worse, the dude is pure chaos