He didn't and doesn't get any touches other than running the break and the occasional three point shot at the end of the clock/quarter. He can be utilized much better. Yes I am Israeli and want him to do well, but it is basically the same stuff I said about Bargnani in his rookie season with the raptors when I felt the rook needs to get more chances but Smitch was such an idiot he didn't know what to do with him. Now PW is no fool but alot of the playmaking of this team is in young hands and maybe Omri needs to be more aggressive and, hmm, selfish and show what he can do. Right now he is the last option on offense and I am not sure standing in the corner and waiting for the drive-and-kick that never comes is the most the team can get out of him. Look this is not just about Omri. This is a young team. the ball movement is not quite there, the designated scorer is injured and there is no clear cut guy to take crunch time shots (Evans with all his gifts played 18 games at this level). About Casspi being reduced to 5-10 minutes and DNPs baring a trade, well, Martin and Garcia (and Noc for that matter) would have to give PW a reason to inhibit Omri's development. If they can only help him lose the same games he can lose with Casspi what would be the point? I will wait with Garcia, but as for Martin I wasn't immensely impressed from what I have seen in the few games he was healthy.
Just another reminder, as someone else has already said: You're here because of the name on the back of the jersey. Most of us are here because of the name on the FRONT of the jersey. Players come and go.
Most of us are very happy with what we're seeing from Omri thus far and we're more than happy to watch him develop as a contributing player on our team. Westphal is doing an excellent job of balancing minutes for a very talented group of young players, one of which is Casspi.
You haven't been impressed with Martin, who only played a couple of games before an injury took him out? I do not mean to be rude, but give me a break. This is like a blind man trying to judge an elephant by touching the end of his tail.
Both Bricklayer and I, and a number of other Kings fans, have been part of this board for a very long time. We've seen a lot of players come and go, and often their fans are here only for the period of time in which they have a reason to be here. That's cool and we welcome fans from all over the globe. One of the worst things you - as a player fan - can do is start preaching that your guy is the best, he's not getting enough chances, etc. It will actually alienate a portion of the very fans who were willing to give Casspi every chance in the world. That's what Brick is referring to as the "Peja factor."
Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Our young Kings are just starting to turn a corner and I personally think Omri will be a big part of our future. But give him a chance to prove himself to all the fans, not just those who became Kings fans the day he signed his contract with Sacramento.
One more thing you might not know? For the first two years of his career, Martin didn't get much time either. In fact, his first year he was actually left off the playoff roster. His second year was a bit better, but his role was primarily to go stand in his corner and wait for the ball to get to him.
Omri will get his chance because he's tough and tenacious and talented. Just give it time.
