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Apparently, this is the way it is going to roll with Papa Dia coming off the bench. Not sure how long it's been in place. But I'm gonna say since the A&M game?

For those who see this team at every chance, do you think the unit -- minus Doherty's mysterious lineup configurations -- is better by him coming off the bench? Is his energy better? Does it look like he understands how to flow when the game is under way?

I'm really down on this kid but I there is a hope that maybe this could be a chance for him to turn his season around.

Against CU, I know the fouls were a problem (not smart on the technical) but his production in 13 mins was pretty good (7 and 6, I think).

Just wanted some observations. Thanks

I thought you had given up on basketball?

The Basketball team is still playing. I thought the season ended after UAPB.

ebrooks11 wrote:The Basketball team is still playing. I thought the season ended after UAPB.

Jesus rose from the dead after 3 days.

Dia's problem is his attitude. Even in the CU game, when doh would yell at him, he'd sulk for a couple minutes on the court. It's a shame, because that double move he made on the low block was a thing of beauty....

I don't think it matters if he starts or comes of the bench - his effort is going to be inconsistent until he grows up.

George S. Patton wrote:

ebrooks11 wrote:The Basketball team is still playing. I thought the season ended after UAPB.

Jesus rose from the dead after 3 days.

So the Big 10 is a great conference and you're comparable to Jesus? Or should we just read that as an admission that even you only believe what you say for a few days?

I think Dia coming off the bench may be a good thing. Reason being that while inconsistent, he does have the ability to score and you can feed him in the post. With McCoy, Williams, Faye, and Bamba (all 4 pretty good scorers) all starting your 5th man ideally would be someone that doesn't need plays run for them to contribute since there are only so many touches to go around. Otis fits that bill. Nayakundi, being a 3 point threat, helps keep the defense honest. Either one of those guys would be solid choices as the 5th starter. Then, as either Bamba or Faye hits the bench, you insert Dia and you still have 4 "scorers" on the floor. Seems to me like it could be a good fit.

MustangFan wrote:

George S. Patton wrote:

ebrooks11 wrote:The Basketball team is still playing. I thought the season ended after UAPB.

Jesus rose from the dead after 3 days.

So the Big 10 is a great conference and you're comparable to Jesus? Or should we just read that as an admission that even you only believe what you say for a few days?

What are you talking about? If you don't want to add to the discussion, that's up to you. If we could stay on topic, that would be appreciated. Thanks.

But to ease your mind, I still think the season has been lost because you have no business losing to UAPB and UTSA. Would you not agree?

But if they turn it around, they turn it around. If you think I'm an advocate for this program's failure, then you could not be more mistaken.

I did stay on topic. You announced after the UAPB game that the season was finished, or that you were finished with the team, or something along those lines. You came back and started offering your in-depth analysis. When someone reminded you that you had quit on this team after UAPB, you referenced Jesus, thereby comparing yourself to him.

The Big 10 part was just the underlying theme of your previous 3600 posts, so it needed to be thrown in, too.

OK, thanks for your complete misintrepretation of the Jesus comment!

Back to the topic, Dia's a mental midget. This may be the best way for him to maintain some focus. The thing he has to work on is controlling his emotions and not let the calls or bad plays sink him.

I guess someone said he tried to atone for the T and the ref [deleted] off. So I'll give him credit for that.

The kid can be as good as he wants to be. The question is whether he is willing to do what it takes to get there.

I think it is a great idea to bring Papa off the bench as he provides some offense when the other starters are resting. I really like the idea of starting Frank because he gives us that tough, hard-nosed attitude that neither Bamba nor Papa has. Yeah, I know, he makes some of mistakes but I do really like his style of play.

The obvious statement is that ideally Papa would live up to his potential & show some heart and effort out there and then you have to start him. But clearly that's not the case, so I agree with Rack and Icon that maybe he does serve a good role coming off the bench. This of course is if Bamba continues to give you 8-12 pts. a night, the 2 guards do their thing, and Faye keeps improving throughout the season. Then having a hustle guy in the starting lineup could mesh nicely.

Again, it's an obvious statement, but if Pap can figure it out and your frontcourt is the 3 Seneglese and then McCoy & Williams, then that's a tall and athletic starting 5. And you still have scoring options off the bench (although I'm not sold on any of them doing it consistently yet) in Malone, Rob & Walker.

Having Papa come off the bench may be a good way to develop his leadership skills as well as increase the level of play for other bench players. The Spurs moved Ginobli to the bench and I thought it improved their entire bench.

PonyPatrol wrote: I don't think it matters if he starts or comes of the bench - his effort is going to be inconsistent until he grows up.

I think we all know that some players never "grow up" - in the context in which you speak - SO, adjustments need to be made accordingly - Adapt criticism, instruction, coaching and discipline to coincide with his temperament - we need him on board.

I like the lineup as is. Dia off the bench is fine.

Otis is a good role player for defense and steals at the moment.