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Is this really Pastner's perspective?This season will test Pastner’s adaptability to coach a deeper rotation. I hope he opens his perspective on it and executes on it. He has been clear he likes a shorter bench, doesn’t know how Hamilton/FSU can effectively platoon like they do; no easy task. However with our roster depth, Pastner owes it to these guys to adapt and consistently use the strength of an 8 man rotation, at times 9, and then in select meaningful games, even 10.
This would engage players, back up his “5star development” mantra, and likely help keep players fresher and hopefully decrease chances of injury.
I think this debate is missing an important element. Didenko, Meka, and Maxwell were the bottom three on our roster(10-12; we only had 12 on scholarship) in ability to contribute. I would argue that Pastner played everyone he had any reason to play. He played Howard (#8) in 19 games and Rodney had moments where he contributed on offense, but his fouls limited his minutes. Saba (#9) was simply overwhelmed at times.
The roster looks deeper this year, so he should have more confidence to open up the minutes allowed to non-starters. It is also likely that our #5 rotation will include all three of Howard, Meka, and Saba, and I will not be surprised to see Moore and Usher in that spot at times. The real scrap for minutes will be with the new kids in the back court. You can only have five guys in the game at a time and hot hands (or defensive play) and matchups will be the most important factors for players logging minutes.