Right, I forgot. It is all simple for you. It hard for me. So help me with this one. It is Groom's fault that Pledger is shooting 33% from the field in conference play. Right? It is Groom's fault that Pledger is standing around with his finger in his butt, while Osby,Fitz, and Blair are scratching clawing, and grinding try to get open. Right? It is Groom's fault that both of the last two games when Blair was in at the two, he could easily beat the defender off the bounce and get immediately open or get to the rim. Right?
Or is it that Pledger is responsible for his performance and production. I don't like the kid as a player. I don't think he has any heart and falls apart like a Walmart shirt under pressure. I've been clear on that. But, for you to constantly blame other players for his shortcomings is just plain pathetic.
So much faulty logic in that post, I can't even attack it.
Pledger gets doubled teamed. He doesn't get helped off of. He gets special attention paid to him, b/c the other coaches know he is the only guard we have that can score it in bunches. Those are facts. You want to give props to Grooms and Osby, and whomever else for GETTING open, but what you don't realize is, is that that is what the other coach is WANTING to have happen. Grooms isn't busting his tail to get open looks, the other team is GIVING him open looks. Osby isn't getting all these great looks inside, when he is open, it's from 18 feet away. And while he is a decent shooter, I'm guessing opposing coaches would let him shoot 18 footers all night. He isn't earning those shots, he's being GIVEN then. Cam? Being left open.
So you need to realize there is a difference between busting your butt to get open, or using some great skill set (speed or whatever) to get open, and simply being left open. Why would an opposing coach NOT leave Grooms and Cam wide open on the perimeter? Why would an opposing coach NOT want Osby shooting 18 footer after 18 footer, open or not? It's not quite as simple as I'm making it sound, but it pretty much is.
Pledger isn't blameless in this, but we know what he is. He is a fine offensive player when he only has to beat his man. He is not, however, the skilled athlete that can still get his 18 points when teams are giving it everything they have to take him out of the game. Only the true stars can do that, and nobody is calling Pledger that. But for you to continue to blame that kid when those around him are playing EVEN WORSE on the season, is ridiculous. Sam Grooms is 8 for 27 from the field in our last 4 losses. 29.6% from the field. But he "gets" open, right? Cam Clark is 6 for 25 from the field in our last 4 losses. 24% from the field. But he "gets" open, right? Pledger isn't shooting it much better in those games, but he isn't getting left WIDE OPEN either. I don't see how you don't get this. It's a pretty easy concept to pick up on simply by watching the games. Of course, you are still dogging Pledger's D based on last year, and not this year, so it shouldn't surprise me.
It isn't Pledger that will lose minutes next year if the incoming talent is as good as advertised. It's Cam. And Neal (as a guard). And Blair (as a SG). it won't be Pledger though, b/c LK isn't blind to his situation, and our struggles, like you are.
