OMax a starter?

[mileskishnish72]

I have to say that I have been disappointed with OMax this year. I didn't know what to expect from him but when Shaka made him a starter I thought good things would happen.  Not to argue with Shaka's judgment as to who's practicing well, deserves to start, etc.

He certainly shows  evidence of physicality but the shooting is just not there, He also has a tendency to believe that he's a dribbler/ball handler which often doesn't work out well. He takes off with the best of intentions, but offensive fouls often happen.

For my money, Oso is a better player. Is Shak being cagey, holding Oso out? Or am I missing something and OMax is better than he looks?

[tower912]

MU's record is far better when he starts.

[We R Final Four]

When OMax leads the break.....I cringe.

[PGsHeroes32]

Well, as mentioned in the game thread by someone. Omax is kinda that perfect example of a guy who is either great or really bad. Doesnt have an inbetween right now.

He starts because he can do a lot of little things, has length and athleticism.

Shaka knows when hes off and reduces his minutes quickly in those games

As for Oso........he would never be the one to replace Omax. Oso is a 5 and he splits that with Kur. Both starting together is not the recipe for the team defense/offense and for fouls.

If Omax goes back to bench it would be for someone like Kam again.

[The Sultan]

He can rebound and can guard a little. Absolutely no reason to change it up now.

[mileskishnish72]

Can't say it hasn't been working.

[panda]

He deservedly so lost his starting spot earlier this season. 

He still deserves to start now.

[JTJ3]

Omax and Oso play completely different positions

[avid1010]

I have to say that I have been disappointed with OMax this year. I didn't know what to expect from him but when Shaka made him a starter I thought good things would happen.  Not to argue with Shaka's judgment as to who's practicing well, deserves to start, etc.

He certainly shows  evidence of physicality but the shooting is just not there, He also has a tendency to believe that he's a dribbler/ball handler which often doesn't work out well. He takes off with the best of intentions, but offensive fouls often happen.

For my money, Oso is a better player. Is Shak being cagey, holding Oso out? Or am I missing something and OMax is better than he looks?

Not to be a prick,  but if you think Oso should start in place of OMax and side-by-side with Kur you're missing the game.

[tower912]

The way this team is structured, Kur and Osa cannot play next to each other, except in certain end of game situations, which we have recently seen.       When OMP is struggling, Shaka goes 3 guard.   

[jfp61]

I think you keep starting OMax. Only other real option is Kam, and Kam is great, but it feels like he only shows up at home.

[Newsdreams]

I think you keep starting OMax. Only other real option is Kam, and Kam is great, but it feels like he only shows up at home.

Background issues for Kam

[brewcity77]

Watch him on the other end of the floor. That's why he starts.

[NCMUFan]

Why mess with winning.

[WarriorFan]

It's nice to have a 6'8 guy who can play good D. 

It's offense where he goes missing.  He's just going too fast.  He needs to watch Lewis a bit, and learn.

[Markusquette]

I mean clearly Greg and Kam are better, but we've won 5 games in a row. O-Max has been struggling most of the time but I think Shaka just likes his length and rebounding for early matchups. Plus Greg and Kam seem to thrive off the bench anyway.

[MuggsyB]

Shaka knows what he he's doing. Start him.  Give him every chance to be as productive as possible. I just feel he needs to slow down a bit, stop forcing off the bounce, and use his strength more vs smalls in the paint. 

[NWarsh]

Who starts is overrated. Look at who plays the minutes and who closes.

[MUfan12]

He's their second best defender and can switch damn near everything. I'm good with him starting.

[Jockey]

Keep starting him. I love bringing in shooters off the bench

[mugrad_89]

I get that OMax is hot and cold offensively, but his defense on Gillespie is one of the big reasons Marquette got the W against Villanova.

[MU82]

There is no down side to starting O-Max.

He rebounds and plays D and is high-energy. If he happens to have one of his better offensive games, you give him 25-30 minutes and get the best of both worlds.

If he struggles, you give most minutes to Kam, Greg or others. You pay for it some on the boards but you add 3-point shooting and other offensive pluses.

And of course, if Shaka decides to start Kam instead, as happened earlier this season, that's OK too.

Maybe Shaka has learned that, from an ego-management standpoint, O-Max "needs" to start while Kam is good off the bench. Whatever ... I trust that Shaka knows his team better than any of us do.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Don't mess with happy.

[nyg]

I get that OMax is hot and cold offensively, but his defense on Gillespie is one of the big reasons Marquette got the W against Villanova.

Uh, no.
Omax started on him, but was quickly replaced by Morsell/Kolek. 
Omax only played 15 minutes of the game. 

Continue starting him, if any offense from him, keep in. If not sub him out.  He missed two wide open threes and had a bad turnover early. Didn't see much action today either.   13 minutes, 1 for 6 from field, 0 for 3 on threes. 

[Viper]

I have to say that I have been disappointed with OMax this year. I didn't know what to expect from him but when Shaka made him a starter I thought good things would happen.  Not to argue with Shaka's judgment as to who's practicing well, deserves to start, etc.

He certainly shows  evidence of physicality but the shooting is just not there, He also has a tendency to believe that he's a dribbler/ball handler which often doesn't work out well. He takes off with the best of intentions, but offensive fouls often happen.

For my money, Oso is a better player. Is Shak being cagey, holding Oso out? Or am I missing something and OMax is better than he looks?

keep sending him out