While we debate Scott vs Craft is another forum I thought it'd be worthwhile to start this discussion. These two guys are most comfortable playing the 3 position and while there are many lineups where you can get them on the floor together they are often substituted for each other.
Thompson is the better defender and athlete and a bit of a stat sheet stuffer.
Laquinton is the obvious scorer, has better size, and has been committing himself to rebounding as of late.
Who would you guys like to see get more minutes?
Honestly, I think they are being used pretty well right now. Each has been getting a good amount of minutes the last 3-4 games.
I think a big piece of the decision on who gets more minutes each game will depend on what type of game is being played. Is it an up-and-down, fast-break type of game? If that is the case, then a guy like Thompson can really have a huge effect in that wide open type of pace, getting up and down the floor and helping defensively, getting steals/blocks and leading to more runouts. If it is more of a half-court game, I think Ross is a little more valuable. He's a better jump shooter, and has more ability to score within the flow of the offense. He can also guard better on the defensive end in a slower-paced game.
But, like I said initially, I think right now they each are getting good minutes to showcase their abilities, and I hope it continues so that we can see them affect the game positively. It will be a give and take, game to game, on who may get more minutes than the other.
"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
I really think Matta is doing a great job of distributing minutes to each guy at the moment. I think we will get a better idea of lineup rotations once B1G play starts because Matta may not trust some guys as much as others.
When it comes to Thompson and Ross I figured LaQ would end up being the go to guy at the SF position because of his skill set and ability to score. After watching each game thus far I am loving the progression from Thompson and actually have confidence he can hit a few shots and play some great defense. If Sam continues to be effective on offense this may cut into Ross' minutes going forward but Matta has a good problem on his hands. If it was up to me I would ride the hot hand.
Both are a little frustrating to me.
I keep reading how good of a defender Thompson is, but I see him get beat in the low post over and over as he goes for shot blocks and gets off his feet for every ball fake and head fake.
Ross is passive defensively and lets post players catch it deep and back him down. It is especially frustrating because his apparent fear of fouling just makes so D Thomas is more likely to pick up fouls while we try to establish paint superiority.
Offensively, neither player is consistent, although Ross does have impressive scoring capability. I think he should sub for D Thomas and be the go-to guy for 5 minutes each half much like they do it in the NBA.
Also, a bit off topic: why don't we have Thompson take the tip off instead of E Ravenal?
I think it is going to be situational. On a night where Lenzelle Smith is taking and hitting shots you can leave Thompson in for his defense. On night where we are struggling on offense, you put Ross in with DT to create matchup problems.
Good thought especially for use of Thompson.
For Ross, you have to play him with some consistency, or he will be even more erratic, and will be less likely to give the ball up if he doesn't play consistently and doesn't KNOW when he's going to be inserted.
Compare the stat lines:
Ross: 20.2 minutes, 10.3 points on 47.9% shooting, 4.8 rebounds, .38 AST/TO, .3 blocks, and .8 steals.
Thompson: 23.8 minutes, 8.6 points on 52% shooting, 4.3 rebounds, .93 AST/TO, 1.0 blocks, and .8 steals.
Lenzelle Smith (control): 27.3 minutes, 11.2 points on 48.6% shooting, 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 AST/TO, 0 blocks, and .6 steals.
These are very comperablewith the only major difference being the AST/TO ratios. People may say that Ross stretches the floor, but the reality is that he shoots only 29.2% from 3. I think we should keep the minutes just as they are, because I can't pick a winner and to give them both more minutes would mean taking some from Smith (unless you want to take some from DT but why would you ever want to do that), which in my opinion would be a mistake.
A couple observations now that we've increased the sample size a bit:
I'd love if we could convince Sam to be just a tiny bit more aggressive offensively. Too often he looks to pass or takes one hard dribble before kicking the ball out. One more dribble into the paint and I think he could become a real issue for the defense to deal with. He can use his elevation getting to the rim or draw defenders in and use his vision to make passes and give our "Shooters" better looks from outside.
As for Laquinton, I think the guy has a TON of potential but he's just not there yet. In the Kansas game it seemed like he was mentally checked out at times even on the offensive end. I also think he has some trouble deciding when to be aggressive. While he scores a lot in limited minutes, many times it seems like he goes on scoring spurts against inferior opponents when the game is already decided so it's difficult to tell if he is beating up on lesser competition or if it takes him time to get comfortable at which time he can turn it on.
For both these players I think its a matter of light bulb turning on as they both have potential to be big time play makers. I just hope its sooner rather than later.
The presence of Ross should immediately open the court up for others on the "O" end. His ability to shoot it, on a team that is deperately short on 3-pt shooters, can't be understated. Personally, I'd rather Ross get more minutes to allow him to get in an "O" rhythm and make OSU a more consistent team offensively. It's a nice theory but in reality, Ross has to step his game up. Go Bucks!
I think the one thing Ross brings to the table this team needs more than anything is he actually can create his own shot and he drives to the basket and can draw fouls.
No one on this team other than Shannon Scott even attempts to drive the lane other than Ross. Smith may on occasion but Ross has higher turnovers because he does more than stand there and pass the ball back around. This offense does WAY TOO MUCH perimeter passing. There is more than chucking 3 pointers.
Craft's shooting struggles would not be as bad if he took it to the rack more. Drew some fouls and shot foul shots.
Ross does this everytime he is inserted in the game. That is why I think Ross should start, and Thompson should provide a spark off the bench. Get Ross involved as early as possible, the TEAM needs someone to draw fouls other than DT and Amir.
LaQuinton should be an NBA player when all is said and done (most talent and gifted player on the team, but still raw) and needs to keep getting as many minutes as possible. He's going to keep making mistakes but if we want to be at our very best come March he'll need a lot of playing time /experience under his belt. I don't care if it costs us a game or 2 in the regular season keep playing Q, he's one of the 2 guys on this team that can routinely create their own shots.
D. Anthony
As this season has progressed I am become happier and happier with how both these guys are developing on both sides of the ball. Laquinton is getting more aggressive offensively and hitting the glass and Slam Thompson is looking more confident in his jumper though I'd still like to see him drive more
I like how they are used as well... glad to see Q minutes improve and him step up in games that matter...I do like that at ttun no scott in game late, Q got a lot of those minutes.
Also great to see Amir start to grow up too... this team will be most improved by seasons end in the B1G, Matta getting credit for coaching & not just recruiting...
Would be interested to see a lineup of Craft, Q, Sam, Thomas & Amir.. a better perimeter team, better rebounding team, Q & Sam can help bring ball up - not that AC needs help - just think this could be our best 5 right now... and what matchups probs we would give other teams with a 6'8" 2 guard...