Quit babying and smothering Trent Burns

[California Cardinal Fan]

Unless there is still an issue with his foot, Trent Burns needs to be playing. Now. Right now. 20 minutes a game. “Oh, but he may cost MU a game or two.” So what? Who on this squad hasn’t? This young man, with his size, and all of the talent we’ve heard about, needs to be on the court.
He’s not going to mature and ‘find himself’ by practicing and watching. His doorway needs to be now. and if the argument is something like “he could cost us a couple of games,” or “he could cost us a spot in the NCAA tourney,” my answer has to be, again, who on this squad hasn’t already cost us games? Given everything we’ve heard about him, he’s wasting away on the practice court, and MU is wasting away without him.
Trent Burns’ potential is needed, and he will never become what he might be without extended time to make his mistakes and become what he might become. I for one would much rather watch Mizzou with this young man on the court instead of eternally sitting on the bench waiting for ‘the right time,” while we watch the team continue to flail and bail water.
It’s time to give Burns his full shot at becoming the kind of player he might be. Throw away the kid gloves and let the young man play. It’s certainly not as if Mizzou is going very far without him. What is Gates going to do, enter next year with this kid still “maturing through practice?” while we wait yet again for “next year?” Orr maybe lose him through the portal?
Baloney. We’ve lost good players already through Gates’ constant “…wait until practice makes him ready” malarkey. Practice is practice. Game is game. Burns needs to be getting a serious opportunity, and Mizzou sorely needs what he might be but can only become by actually playing serious minutes, regularly.

[MIDMOBIRDTWO]

He hasn't looked that good in the time I have seen him on the court.

[California Cardinal Fan]

He hasn't looked that good in the time I have seen him on the court.

He has to have game time. Gates is babying him. If he still has foot issues, that's understandable. But otherwise, he's going to what, ruin the entire season? No way. Besides, a couple of games in which he does play significant minutes, as in 20 or so, will give an indication of whether to continue, and I think it might instead indicate just the opposite. Let him, make him, grow up in the fire. He's past the stage of practice and watch, practice and watch, and Gates keeps saying how good he is in practice, so it's time to take that into games. And 2 minutes stints don't do any good at all. Of course he's going to make mistakes, but we HAVE seen his shot blocking ability, and that he can shoot. I think it's time to use him or keep him on the bench and lose him to the portal just as those two 5 stars come in. Remember Brazile, and what he's done with Arkansas.

[Lightning Rod]

He hasn't looked that good in the time I have seen him on the court.

He has to have game time. Gates is babying him. If he still has foot issues, that's understandable. But otherwise, he's going to what, ruin the entire season? No way. Besides, a couple of games in which he does play significant minutes, as in 20 or so, will give an indication of whether to continue, and I think it might instead indicate just the opposite. Let him, make him, grow up in the fire. He's past the stage of practice and watch, practice and watch, and Gates keeps saying how good he is in practice, so it's time to take that into games. And 2 minutes stints don't do any good at all. Of course he's going to make mistakes, but we HAVE seen his shot blocking ability, and that he can shoot. I think it's time to use him or keep him on the bench and lose him to the portal just as those two 5 stars come in. Remember Brazile, and what he's done with Arkansas.

I'd like to see him play a few minutes a game, but obviously the coaches feel he is not ready. We haven't had any laughers in league play and if you are trying to win you don't send a player out there who you know will probably hurt you. You may see him in games that are not close but I don't expect him to make many appearances.

[icon]

It's pretty clear he is not up to speed in practice. And Gates knows he needs to win. Burns isn't likely to help that cause if he's not performing in practice.

[woofy25]

Generally speaking, coaches tend to shy away from playing guys that would cost them games. Especially, if he is incapable of making up for it by helping the team win games. He's not playing b/c the coaches don't think he's good enough. If he was, then he'd be playing. It's pretty simple. The bar isn't all that high when the competition is Phillips and Randall. If he can't outplay either of them in practice, then yes, he'd be a real liability on the court in a game.
Burns has hit a three at the first half buzzer. That is best highlight as a Missouri Tiger. He played like two minutes a few games ago and had, I think, two turnovers. He is clearly not ready. Maybe he never will be.

Pretty rough take by the OP.

[straight out of st louis robert ave]

It's pretty clear he is not up to speed in practice. And Gates knows he needs to win. Burns isn't likely to help that cause if he's not performing in practice.

I wouldn't take a chance and give him heavy minutes.
He is simply not ready.

[11WSChamps]

Unfortunately in the win now world of college sports there is no longer the luxury of developing players and a fans enjoyment of watching that happen.

Win now at all costs and players move at a moments notice chasing the almighty dollar.

Anyone who thought this was the best for the game or the athletes who play it are idiots.

[Armchair QB]

He plays kind of timid, but is that because he’s had so little playing time? Or is just who he is?

7’5” and the ability to shoot the ball? You gotta develop that kid. I like Gates and most of what he does. But the player development piece is not great under Gates.

[Cardinals4Life]

Unless there is still an issue with his foot, Trent Burns needs to be playing. Now. Right now. 20 minutes a game. “Oh, but he may cost MU a game or two.” So what? Who on this squad hasn’t? This young man, with his size, and all of the talent we’ve heard about, needs to be on the court.
He’s not going to mature and ‘find himself’ by practicing and watching. His doorway needs to be now. and if the argument is something like “he could cost us a couple of games,” or “he could cost us a spot in the NCAA tourney,” my answer has to be, again, who on this squad hasn’t already cost us games? Given everything we’ve heard about him, he’s wasting away on the practice court, and MU is wasting away without him.
Trent Burns’ potential is needed, and he will never become what he might be without extended time to make his mistakes and become what he might become. I for one would much rather watch Mizzou with this young man on the court instead of eternally sitting on the bench waiting for ‘the right time,” while we watch the team continue to flail and bail water.
It’s time to give Burns his full shot at becoming the kind of player he might be. Throw away the kid gloves and let the young man play. It’s certainly not as if Mizzou is going very far without him. What is Gates going to do, enter next year with this kid still “maturing through practice?” while we wait yet again for “next year?” Orr maybe lose him through the portal?
Baloney. We’ve lost good players already through Gates’ constant “…wait until practice makes him ready” malarkey. Practice is practice. Game is game. Burns needs to be getting a serious opportunity, and Mizzou sorely needs what he might be but can only become by actually playing serious minutes, regularly.

Have never seen a weaker player in my life. The guy is 7'5" and plays like he is 5'5". He is so timid. Looks like a lost, whipped puppy out there. The guy is NOT a D1 player. Just because you're 7'5" doesn't make you a basketball player. Perhaps it should, but it does not.
We've already seen how a strong 7 footer in Phillips still provides very little. A weak 7 foot Burns would provide even less.

Also the fact that you're 7'5" and are a "shooter" says enough about how weak he is.

[Lightning Rod]

Unless there is still an issue with his foot, Trent Burns needs to be playing. Now. Right now. 20 minutes a game. “Oh, but he may cost MU a game or two.” So what? Who on this squad hasn’t? This young man, with his size, and all of the talent we’ve heard about, needs to be on the court.
He’s not going to mature and ‘find himself’ by practicing and watching. His doorway needs to be now. and if the argument is something like “he could cost us a couple of games,” or “he could cost us a spot in the NCAA tourney,” my answer has to be, again, who on this squad hasn’t already cost us games? Given everything we’ve heard about him, he’s wasting away on the practice court, and MU is wasting away without him.
Trent Burns’ potential is needed, and he will never become what he might be without extended time to make his mistakes and become what he might become. I for one would much rather watch Mizzou with this young man on the court instead of eternally sitting on the bench waiting for ‘the right time,” while we watch the team continue to flail and bail water.
It’s time to give Burns his full shot at becoming the kind of player he might be. Throw away the kid gloves and let the young man play. It’s certainly not as if Mizzou is going very far without him. What is Gates going to do, enter next year with this kid still “maturing through practice?” while we wait yet again for “next year?” Orr maybe lose him through the portal?
Baloney. We’ve lost good players already through Gates’ constant “…wait until practice makes him ready” malarkey. Practice is practice. Game is game. Burns needs to be getting a serious opportunity, and Mizzou sorely needs what he might be but can only become by actually playing serious minutes, regularly.

Have never seen a weaker player in my life. The guy is 7'5" and plays like he is 5'5". He is so timid. Looks like a lost, whipped puppy out there. The guy is NOT a D1 player. Just because you're 7'5" doesn't make you a basketball player. Perhaps it should, but it does not.
We've already seen how a strong 7 footer in Phillips still provides very little. A weak 7 foot Burns would provide even less.

Also the fact that you're 7'5" and are a "shooter" says enough about how weak he is.

But Gates said this guy is awesome in practice.

[Sophrosyne]

Unless there is still an issue with his foot, Trent Burns needs to be playing. Now. Right now. 20 minutes a game. “Oh, but he may cost MU a game or two.” So what? Who on this squad hasn’t? This young man, with his size, and all of the talent we’ve heard about, needs to be on the court.
He’s not going to mature and ‘find himself’ by practicing and watching. His doorway needs to be now. and if the argument is something like “he could cost us a couple of games,” or “he could cost us a spot in the NCAA tourney,” my answer has to be, again, who on this squad hasn’t already cost us games? Given everything we’ve heard about him, he’s wasting away on the practice court, and MU is wasting away without him.
Trent Burns’ potential is needed, and he will never become what he might be without extended time to make his mistakes and become what he might become. I for one would much rather watch Mizzou with this young man on the court instead of eternally sitting on the bench waiting for ‘the right time,” while we watch the team continue to flail and bail water.
It’s time to give Burns his full shot at becoming the kind of player he might be. Throw away the kid gloves and let the young man play. It’s certainly not as if Mizzou is going very far without him. What is Gates going to do, enter next year with this kid still “maturing through practice?” while we wait yet again for “next year?” Orr maybe lose him through the portal?
Baloney. We’ve lost good players already through Gates’ constant “…wait until practice makes him ready” malarkey. Practice is practice. Game is game. Burns needs to be getting a serious opportunity, and Mizzou sorely needs what he might be but can only become by actually playing serious minutes, regularly.

I think we went back and forth regarding Burns on another thread. He just isn't very good. Did you see him trying to rebound in yesterday's game against Oklahoma? At the risk of repeating myself, he just isn't very good.

[icon]

CCF, where are you? I guess you saw how bad he looked yesterday. He was too weak to grab a rebound or a pass.

[Lightning Rod]

CCF, where are you? I guess you saw how bad he looked yesterday. He was too weak to grab a rebound or a pass.

Really bad hands.

[straight out of st louis robert ave]

Unless there is still an issue with his foot, Trent Burns needs to be playing. Now. Right now. 20 minutes a game. “Oh, but he may cost MU a game or two.” So what? Who on this squad hasn’t? This young man, with his size, and all of the talent we’ve heard about, needs to be on the court.
He’s not going to mature and ‘find himself’ by practicing and watching. His doorway needs to be now. and if the argument is something like “he could cost us a couple of games,” or “he could cost us a spot in the NCAA tourney,” my answer has to be, again, who on this squad hasn’t already cost us games? Given everything we’ve heard about him, he’s wasting away on the practice court, and MU is wasting away without him.
Trent Burns’ potential is needed, and he will never become what he might be without extended time to make his mistakes and become what he might become. I for one would much rather watch Mizzou with this young man on the court instead of eternally sitting on the bench waiting for ‘the right time,” while we watch the team continue to flail and bail water.
It’s time to give Burns his full shot at becoming the kind of player he might be. Throw away the kid gloves and let the young man play. It’s certainly not as if Mizzou is going very far without him. What is Gates going to do, enter next year with this kid still “maturing through practice?” while we wait yet again for “next year?” Orr maybe lose him through the portal?
Baloney. We’ve lost good players already through Gates’ constant “…wait until practice makes him ready” malarkey. Practice is practice. Game is game. Burns needs to be getting a serious opportunity, and Mizzou sorely needs what he might be but can only become by actually playing serious minutes, regularly.

I think we went back and forth regarding Burns on another thread. He just isn't very good. Did you see him trying to rebound in yesterday's game against Oklahoma? At the risk of repeating myself, he just isn't very good.

Burns is 7 '5 and he simply can't jump.
I saw him going for a rebound and his feet literally never left the floor.
It was laughable.

[HoopsGuruII]

Unless there is still an issue with his foot, Trent Burns needs to be playing. Now. Right now. 20 minutes a game. “Oh, but he may cost MU a game or two.” So what? Who on this squad hasn’t? This young man, with his size, and all of the talent we’ve heard about, needs to be on the court.
He’s not going to mature and ‘find himself’ by practicing and watching. His doorway needs to be now. and if the argument is something like “he could cost us a couple of games,” or “he could cost us a spot in the NCAA tourney,” my answer has to be, again, who on this squad hasn’t already cost us games? Given everything we’ve heard about him, he’s wasting away on the practice court, and MU is wasting away without him.
Trent Burns’ potential is needed, and he will never become what he might be without extended time to make his mistakes and become what he might become. I for one would much rather watch Mizzou with this young man on the court instead of eternally sitting on the bench waiting for ‘the right time,” while we watch the team continue to flail and bail water.
It’s time to give Burns his full shot at becoming the kind of player he might be. Throw away the kid gloves and let the young man play. It’s certainly not as if Mizzou is going very far without him. What is Gates going to do, enter next year with this kid still “maturing through practice?” while we wait yet again for “next year?” Orr maybe lose him through the portal?
Baloney. We’ve lost good players already through Gates’ constant “…wait until practice makes him ready” malarkey. Practice is practice. Game is game. Burns needs to be getting a serious opportunity, and Mizzou sorely needs what he might be but can only become by actually playing serious minutes, regularly.

I think we went back and forth regarding Burns on another thread. He just isn't very good. Did you see him trying to rebound in yesterday's game against Oklahoma? At the risk of repeating myself, he just isn't very good.

Burns is 7 '5 and he simply can't jump.
I saw him going for a rebound and his feet literally never left the floor.
It was laughable.

He is certainly no Justin Gage or Ricky Frazier!