With 4 Games Left

[themikestrick]

Noah Vonleh - F - Hornets

Noah Vonleh could be in line for more minutes over the rest of the 2014-15 regular season.

 

With the Hornets currently dealing with a multitude of injuries, the rookie has been forced into action. But with the team falling out of the playoff hunt, Vonleh could get an extended look over the Hornets' last four games.

 

Source: NBA.com

 

Clifford should have been giving him minutes all along.  What is he going to learn in 4 games?  This is one of biggest complaints against Clifford this season.  With all of the injuries this season, there have been various opportunities to use Vonleh and try to get a sense of what he's got but no, lets wait until the last 4 games of the season.  

 

 

[Jakob]

Vonleh has all the tools to develop into a Star. Should have been developing him since game #1.

[cdandi1]

I don't necessarily understand the beef with not playing Vonleh as much.  From a coaching perspective you're trying to win basketball games ... and its clear that Cliff valued the experience, rebounding, and defending of Max over Vonleh. 

 

Playing and developing young talent from the beginning of the season is for teams without expectations (Philly) ... coming in, and for most the season until recently, Charlotte was in the hunt for a playoff spot.  You play the players, who at that moment, give you the best chance to win. 

 

Its clear from Cliff's rotation that was trying to win.  So now that it is blatantly obvious that Charlotte's not getting in, he can concede winning for development purposes. 

 

 

[Omega Atrocity]

You don't have to give Vonleh even rotation minutes if you have expectations, but he should be above Maxiell. I like Maxiell, he gives 130% effort every play, but he simply doesn't have the talent to see the court, and everyone knows that, that's why he didn't get signed until training camp for a non-guaranteed minimum contract. 

 

With as much frontcourt injuries/ineptitude as we've had this season there is no excuse for Vonleh to have logged ~160 minutes this season, that's ridiculous.

 

And I wouldn't hold on to him getting more now, he didn't really against Toronto and we were already out of the playoff picture.

[Proudiddy]

I don't necessarily understand the beef with not playing Vonleh as much. From a coaching perspective you're trying to win basketball games ... and its clear that Cliff valued the experience, rebounding, and defending of Max over Vonleh.

Playing and developing young talent from the beginning of the season is for teams without expectations (Philly) ... coming in, and for most the season until recently, Charlotte was in the hunt for a playoff spot. You play the players, who at that moment, give you the best chance to win.

Its clear from Cliff's rotation that was trying to win. So now that it is blatantly obvious that Charlotte's not getting in, he can concede winning for development purposes.

The problem is, everyone realized very early on that his rotation wasn't going to be winning many games anyway, so the idea that he kept playing them over young, promising talent was pointless. They essentially could've done the same thing the sorry ass vets were doing, but simultaneously learning and developing in the process.

[MichaelNewtonII]

fug steve clifford

[Jase]

Maxiell played over vonleh because vonleh still can't defend a pick and roll to save his life. He needs another offseason.

[chknwing]

Vonleh has all the tools to develop into a Star. Should have been developing him since game #1.

 

it's like you people forget he was recovering from surgery which put him out for like 3 months.

[Jakob]

it's like you people forget he was recovering from surgery which put him out for like 3 months.

You obviously don't remember his recovery timeline do you? 

[cdandi1]

The other thing to consider is do you play Vonleh early out of necessity and stall any development?  Some of the issues with Biz are arguably that he was thrown into the fire too soon when the Bobcats didn't have the luxury of developing him.  When Clifford came on board, Biz's minutes fell ... though when he plays now he at least has become a great rim defender and above average rebounded. 

 

I am all for Vonleh playing, but I understand as a coach playing a veteran over a raw talent even if the raw talent will more than likely be better in the long run. 

 

Vonleh will have this summer to get better, stronger, and study the game and will hopefully get the minutes his talent deserves. 

[Chaos]

Damned if your do, damned if you don't. Still it would have been nice to work in more development for the kid.

[Eazy-E]

Young guys especially Vonleh were not even getting garbage time minutes. Sorry but when there is 2 to 3 minutes left and we are down 20, there is not reason to keep Maxiell on the court over Vonleh.

[Proudiddy]

Maxiell played over vonleh because vonleh still can't defend a pick and roll to save his life. He needs another offseason.

What's Al's excuse?

Vonleh wasn't going to learn by watching every night...

[MountainHeel66]

What's Al's excuse?

Vonleh wasn't going to learn by watching every night...

I can't pie this one again so I'll just offer further kudos. To Eazy-E as well. I have been screaming at the tv all season in garbage time for PJ and Vonleh, its just ludicrous. Hell Could the D-League not have AT LEAST given Vonleh some burn? Why let him rot on our bench when he could be playing at a higher level than college ball night in and night out to START developing.

 

 

 

 

Its clear from Cliff's rotation that was trying to win.  So now that it is blatantly obvious that Charlotte's not getting in, he can concede winning for development purposes. 

I'd LOVE to know which rotations you saw that lead you to believe Clifford was trying to win because I never saw it. If we found one that worked he ran away from it as far and as fast as he could when crunch time hit.

 

Oh, 15 point lead you say?? Lineup working its ass off the whole 3rd quarter?? Lets blow it up and try some new $hit.... hey!? where did our points go??..... <---- Clifford just about every single game in some fashion or another.