Hard to come up with a reason why Pinson does not start the rest of the way

[IDUNK4HEELS]

Williams has good hops and can lock some players down on defense but other than the Radford game he does not look to shoot which is strange for someone playing the two. I am so perplexed because he has such a smooth looking stroke. As much as I like Pinson coming off the bench and giving the team,an instant shot in the arm stats do not lie and he is scoring now near double digits per contest. He is also a lock down defender so that would also help because even though Carolina is a GREAT rebounding team their overall defense to be fair leaves alot to be desired.
Carolina has some monster games coming up against Virginia, Duke, and Louisville where points and defense will be vital. If Williams would look to score and actual score I would leave the lineup alone but right now I think Pinson is a game changer that could take some of the scoring pressure off Berry and Jackson and just make the team even harder to beat.

 

[adwood81]

I don't think it is about who starts but who finishes. Pinson is still working his way back into game shape and I trust Coach Williams to determine what the right line-up looks like. I agree that Pinson brings energy off the bench and when he enters the game there is extra pep from the team. Maybe that is something the coaches like and think it is hard to match by our opponents. It is my guess that Pinson's minutes will increase, with his health being closely monitored and by tourney time he will be playing starter minutes, even if he isn't on the floor for the opening tip.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

I agree that he deserves to be the starter, but like many times in the past, it might not be what is best for the team as a whole. He does insert instant energy and who ever is in with him seems to pick up their intensity levels, but maybe this is amplified because he is either playing against subs or tired starters. It could be a confidence thing with KW as well. If I have been starting and suddenly I am returned to the bench I might not respond well. OR coach might just be working him back into game shape and trying to decide where he fits best. Luckily we have a great staff to make this decision and some games to work with while they are making it.

TP is a game changer and sometimes it is hard to define what he does to do it, but it is very easy to see! His injury time might have given him a new perspective and time to figure out what the team needs from him. In any case, this is a good problem to have!

 

[Steat]

He has had the same surgery 3 times. Better be careful with him or we may lose him for the rest of the season to another similar injury.

 

[ohio tarheels]

If he provides something off the bench(like an extra level of energy) and some games he plays 25 minutes down the stretch of the season does it really matter if he is in the game at top or is the 1st sub off the bench??

At this point of the season at 18-3 I wouldn't change anything with the lineup besides adjusting players minutes each game depending on who is playing better or has some foul trouble..... As the saying goes "If it's not broke then don't tinker with it". JMO

 

[coryfly]

I think he adds a lot coming off the bench actually. I'm not sure Kenny would add as much. He'll play plenty when it matters regardless. I don't think anyone would have an issue either way though.

 

[trestyles]

He deserve to be the starter. However I like him off the bench and finishing for this team. Especially with Nate and woods on the floor. Both of those players have a high turnover rate.

 

[heels05champs]

This is a tough question. At the moment, things are clicking and probably shouldn't be messed with. At the same time, I was one of the posters adamantly lobbying for Theo to be the starter at the 2 back during the summer and so far he has proven me right. There was a reason Roy planned to start him and he has the luxury of seeing them in practice. I think Theo is clearly a better player than KW but he has been great off the bench and if he is content with it, maybe it's his role the rest of the season but if the season started today, Theo is clearly the starter based on what I've seen.

 

[superstar57]

Don't mind him coming off the bench as long as he plays with the other starters.

 

[gauchoheel]

I don't think it matters all that much. May even be helpful because we need someone who can create and handle the ball when Joel/JJ are out, and Theo gives us that. He'll play more minutes then Kenny, of that I'm pretty sure.

 

[ChiShankCity]

100% need his energy off the bench IMO. Berry is the tone setter for the starters regardless who's starting with him. But if there is energy lacking, you need a guy like Theo to bring in. I think Bradley provides a spark for sure and I love what he brings, but Theo has a lot more equity with his teammates and if he's coming in really early or coming in for someone specifically, I think it sends a direct message that it's time to play with some energy.

 

[DSouthr]

First, I really appreciate what Theo gives us off the bench, he is instant energy and very versatile off the bench. He tends to mute an expected drop off when starters go out. Don't under estimate the value of that, it gives us that dimension of coming at teams in waves. Most teams see a dramatic drop off when their second unit comes in, gives opponents a chance to get a bit of a break but Theo leads our second unit in a way that at times puts even more pressure on an already tired opponent, I don't know I want to see that change.

Theo is and should get starter minutes of around 25 a game yet Joel and kenny have developed a solid chemistry playing as a unit. Unless it is a real problem to Theo and I don't really think it is, seems to be more important to Theo that he plays starter minutes, not so much who begins the game.

Second, I really prefer Theo as a wing or a small ball power forward, either of those positions he has shown us game after game he helps us but to put in in a 3rd position with different responsibilities that his skill set may not be the best fit for is taking a gamble on fixing something that really isn't broken. I don't see it as a needed risk with a reasonable pay back. When you have the 6th man of the year on your team it is a great thing, we had that last season in Hicks and we played in the natty game, I see Theo as by far the 6th man of the year and IMO that is not a thing I see as broken.

 

[Tom79]

When we are working through substitution patterns, Theo has shown us great benefits from off the bench, in that role he is a junior out there with a freshman (woods as an example) that needs to be calmed a bit, the only knock against Theo is his outside shooting.
As an aside, I often think he and Brandon fill the same slot, love to see Brandon get a little more time.

 

[smooth as butter]

Theo brings that spark off of the bench.

 

[goheels653]

As long as Theo doesn't care (I don't think he does), no reason to change anything right now. By tournament time he'll be logging 25-30 minutes a game whether he's off the bench or not.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

That's the key to me. As long as Theo is happy in his role and the team is soaring, we should make no changes! I think Theo is very effective as a 3 or 4, but I also think he is an awesome 2 that provides what Roy loves, another playmaker in the back court! This team does not need another shooter with JB and JJ, they need another distributor! KW has found a niche with JB and that comfort shouldn't be tampered with as long as we can find 25 minutes now and 30 minutes in the Tourneys for TP!

Like my Granddaddy used to say: If it ain't broke, son put that wrench away!