what's the deal with Chris Wilcox?

[Jeff]

The guy signed for $3M and was supposed to add depth to our bench and be an option at center.  I get that he was hurt and maybe he's still a little banged up, but I kind of doubt it.

What's he missing?  Has anyone watched him closely enough to see if it is defense, rebounding, lost on offense, etc.?

Just curious.  It would be nice if he could give us something soon.

[PosImpos]

Not aggressive, looks lost on both ends, no apparent on-court chemistry with teammates.

[Chris]

Its a good question.  

I don't think he is a good defensive player.  He never has been.  So, that always puts someone behind the 8-ball with Doc.  I also think the lack of practice has really hurt his ability to get a rhythm offensively, and learn the system.

But more than anything, I think Doc is just rolling with the hot hand.  KG, JO, and Bass are pretty clearly the top of the pecking order (and they are the best big men on the team by a large margin IMO), so its all about that 4th spot...and Steimsma took advantage of his opportunity.

I think Doc is a fan of guys earning their playing time, and Stiemsma has.  At some point, he will probably slow down, or someone will get injured, and Wilcox can slide right in there.  But right now, I think it has less to do with Wilcox as it does with Steimsma playing solid basketball.

[33-00-32]

Not aggressive, looks lost on both ends, no apparent on-court chemistry with teammates.

I think you have something with the chemistry. He seems a little like a kid without a friend. Hard to believe with all of the vets we have that someone hasn't made him feel more like a member of the team. Of course if they perceive him as a slacker then he will never be included by our vets.

[Who]

I think playing alongside the Big Four instead of bench units would do wonders for Wilcox.

[MBunge]

I think Doc is a fan of guys earning their playing time, and Stiemsma has.  

Then why did Stiemsma play all of 3 minutes against Dallas, especially when they had one of their centers on the court for 47 out of 48 minutes?

Mike

[Fafnir]

I think playing alongside the Big Four instead of bench units would do wonders for Wilcox.

Yeah, as mcuh as Jermaine has been good defensively lately he's been so awful on the boards I'm wondering if going with Wilcox would be better.

[Chris]

I think Doc is a fan of guys earning their playing time, and Stiemsma has.  

Then why did Stiemsma play all of 3 minutes against Dallas, especially when they had one of their centers on the court for 47 out of 48 minutes?

Mike

Because Wilcox also had some good practices, and earned some time?

Steimsma hasn't earned the right to be a 6th man, but he has earned the right to still compete for his minutes.

[snively]

The guy signed for $3M and was supposed to add depth to our bench and be an option at center.  I get that he was hurt and maybe he's still a little banged up, but I kind of doubt it.

What's he missing?  Has anyone watched him closely enough to see if it is defense, rebounding, lost on offense, etc.?

Just curious.  It would be nice if he could give us something soon.

I think he came into camp out of shape.  Then the injury robbed him of his chance to get some run with the starters (his best chance to contribute).

It's a tough situation for him.  That 2nd unit is terrible at getting the bigs looks.  Dooling and Bradley have a hard enough time executing perimeter passes.  Waste of Wilcox's abilities. 

I want to see him play his way into that starting unit, bump JO into that 4th big role.  Give the offense a strong finisher who can rebound.  Not to mention someone who can run the floor with Rondo.

[RayAllen4Three]

I think Doc is a fan of guys earning their playing time, and Stiemsma has.  

Then why did Stiemsma play all of 3 minutes against Dallas, especially when they had one of their centers on the court for 47 out of 48 minutes?

Mike

Because Wilcox also had some good practices, and earned some time?

Steimsma hasn't earned the right to be a 6th man, but he has earned the right to still compete for his minutes.

Despite the fact that every time Steimsma has been on the court, he's given us more than both JO and Wilcox have combined. Its one thing for the coach to stick to the company line about how such and such a player was our practice MVP and therefor deserves his spot, its quite another for fans to start parroting that same line even when the evidence is right there on the floor. :sigh:

[MBunge]

I think Doc is a fan of guys earning their playing time, and Stiemsma has.  

Then why did Stiemsma play all of 3 minutes against Dallas, especially when they had one of their centers on the court for 47 out of 48 minutes?

Mike

Because Wilcox also had some good practices, and earned some time?

Steimsma hasn't earned the right to be a 6th man, but he has earned the right to still compete for his minutes.

Do we want to start the whole "Doc hates rookies" stuff again?  There is NO WAY that Wilcox has done anything in practice that matches what Steimsma has done during games.  And if Wilcox HAS practiced strong, why only play him 3 minutes in a game where you're getting killing on the boards?

Mike

[Inside-Out]

Wilcox looks like a player that has been a career loser out there.

He looks like he's just along for the $3M ride.

[Chris]

I think Doc is a fan of guys earning their playing time, and Stiemsma has.  

Then why did Stiemsma play all of 3 minutes against Dallas, especially when they had one of their centers on the court for 47 out of 48 minutes?

Mike

Because Wilcox also had some good practices, and earned some time?

Steimsma hasn't earned the right to be a 6th man, but he has earned the right to still compete for his minutes.

Do we want to start the whole "Doc hates rookies" stuff again?  There is NO WAY that Wilcox has done anything in practice that matches what Steimsma has done during games.  And if Wilcox HAS practiced strong, why only play him 3 minutes in a game where you're getting killing on the boards?

Mike

How do you know?  

For the record, Wilcox was very good in the open practice earlier this year.  So, I don't think it is unbelievable that he would be good in other practices.

And Steimsma hasn't been that great.  He has blocked shots (and not nearly as much lately), and hit a couple open jumpers, but otherwise, not been great.  His rebounding has left a lot to be desired, his man to man defense has not been great, and he has no footwork around the basket.

I think he has done enough to not be buried on the bench, but I don't think its unreasonable for Doc to give another guy a chance.

[MBunge]

I think he has done enough to not be buried on the bench, but I don't think its unreasonable for Doc to give another guy a chance.

THEN WHY PLAY THAT OTHER GUY ONLY 3 MINUTES?!?!

Mike

[snively]

I think Doc is a fan of guys earning their playing time, and Stiemsma has. 

Then why did Stiemsma play all of 3 minutes against Dallas, especially when they had one of their centers on the court for 47 out of 48 minutes?

Mike

Because Wilcox also had some good practices, and earned some time?

Steimsma hasn't earned the right to be a 6th man, but he has earned the right to still compete for his minutes.

Do we want to start the whole "Doc hates rookies" stuff again?  There is NO WAY that Wilcox has done anything in practice that matches what Steimsma has done during games.  And if Wilcox HAS practiced strong, why only play him 3 minutes in a game where you're getting killing on the boards?

Mike

I think Doc is conflicted as to which guy to play.  He wants to get Wilcox into rhythm because he knows he can contribute down the line, but he's intrigued by Stiemsma and wants to keep involved. 

As of yet, neither are contributing consistently enough to move him to cut into KG/Bass/JO's minutes. 

That we've struggled so much offensively and had to recover from big deficits has prompted him to lean heavily on the floor-spacing Bass/KG frontcourt.  That's kept him from prolonged experimentation with other potential frontcourts; something he was more willing to do against the lesser teams.