Not playing CJ is a mystifying decision. On twitter, Chris Harry implied it’s possibly punitive… suggesting it’s bc other players have been around all year, practicing and such. That is an odd comment, since CJ seemingly had his coach’s support when he stepped away for personal reasons. CJ is a physical guy, solid defender and has shown the ability to shoot. A season ago he was our top percentage 3-point shooter.
It's embarrassing to say the least and isn't a good look. Next year when CJ is having a really good year for another school, everyone will ask what TG was thinking. 2 experienced guys along with Lane were completely ignored on this team. Its one thing if this was a winning team, but he doesn't even play them when things don't go well. It's decisions like not playing CJ with CC out, at least for me, makes it harder for me to believe he's the right guy. Not writing TG off yet, but he needs to show a lot of improvement next year.
he entered the game past the midway point of the second half, and with the game out of reach. I figured he would start. His limited/late usage was beyond my understanding.
TG is a “defensive coach”… and to that end, he has shown real promise at different points of the season. But there is a steep learning curve for aspects such as, personnel decisions and game management. TG also defers much of the offense to an assistant coach… his “offensive coordinator”. That needs to improve, obviously. I’m nowhere near making an assessment on this hire. There are aspects I like, and some disconcerting. But he seems a guy capable of improving. I’ve always argued that Florida is a spot that you can let a young, high-ceiling guy develop… even if you take some lumps along the way. The prospect of a payoff has to be there…. and I still think that is possible with TG.
It's hard to know the extent to which CJ deserves to play, w/o any knowledge of the circumstances surrounding his departure. As for CTG supporting him during his leave, what did you expect? A scathing rebuke? A lukewarm acknowledgement? Either of those reactions would have also garnered criticism.
Would be nice to know the full story behind Felder. Aside from CC, I can't remember the last time a recruit here played better than expected. I really do wonder how this team is going to look next year in TG's 2nd season. I would certainly hope he's learned a ton of lessons this year, and what it takes to win at this level. I'm guessing half the team will be gone...so let's hope he has a few tricks up his sleeve. As this team is now we're barely watchable to fully unwatchable at times. 5 blowout losses, and the season isn't over yet.
This one is pretty easy…. If a guy walked away from his team mid-season, for reasons not deemed understandable/valid…. I’d expect the coach to not allow him back.
Way too cut n dried, Brent. Gotta consider that CTG is a first year guy coming from afar. You seem to think that either Golden should welcome Felder back and get him right into the rotation, or cut him.
yes… that’s a good summation. If he stepped away for valid reasons, I wouldn’t see the need for any punitive withholding of playing time. If he bailed on the team for invalid reason… he should not be back.
Valid reasons could be quite a subjective call tho. I'd like to see the kid play but have no info, which s probably how it should be.
I'm with you in that his reasons for leaving should dictate what his return looks like. I don't think coach's time in the program has any bearing. I'd add there's a lot of gray area tho. It's not just: he left for good reasons or bad reasons.
yes… it’s the coach’s call. If Coach deemed valid.. the player should return without any punitive withholding of playing time.
I can imagine some scenarios where his reason for bailing was weak, but that he doesn't get yanked off the team (and presumably lose his scholarship). And I like the tenor of @exiledgator's suggestion that years-in-the-program should not matter, but would argue that CTG had to handle this situation more delicately than if he was a veteran Gator coach, who would have earned street cred, or would not have been a veteran Gator coach.
Ok …. Agree to disagree on this one. I don’t have much grey area to walking away from the team. Either it is a valid situation that warrants support and understanding; or it’s not. If the latter… adios.
The problem was he wasn’t getting much playing time anyway, so not sure how we would know it’s punitive unless disclosed as such. Obviously with the injury situation it makes one wonder slightly, but he was a bit of a mystery last year under White as well. It’s not like an all-SEC player that fell off the map.
He began the season as a starter, and had been averaging about 13mpg. Today, despite the injury situation, CJ played 3 minutes. He entered the late in the second half…. with the game already out of reach. We got blown off the court, and got abused on the interior. If it wasn’t punitive…. it was a strange decision.
Regardless of the sport or the level in many, if not most, cases they take longer to be in *playing* condition than we are first told. I’m sure he’ll be back by January
