Demarion Watson Appreciation Thread

[alarson]

What in the world is T.J. Otzelberger doing not playing DeMarion Watson enough? This is Iowa State basketball, not some rec league where you can afford to waste talent. Watson is a 6'7" forward with a wingspan that stretches from here to Des Moines, and he’s being treated like he’s some kind of afterthought. Are you kidding me? This kid has the potential to be a defensive nightmare and a legitimate two-way player, but instead, he’s sitting on the bench while less impactful players soak up all the minutes. What is this, a charity for mediocrity?

Let’s talk about Iowa State’s identity under Otzelberger. They’re supposed to be a tough, gritty, defensive-minded team, right? Well, guess what? Watson fits that mold perfectly. He’s long, athletic, and can guard multiple positions. But instead of letting him wreak havoc on the defensive end, he’s watching from the sidelines like he’s some kind of spectator. It’s a waste of talent, and it’s a waste of what could be a game-changing piece for this team.

And don’t even get me started on the offensive side. Yeah, he’s not a polished scorer yet, but how is he supposed to develop if he’s not getting consistent reps? You think he’s going to magically turn into a 20-point-per-night guy by riding the pine? No! Players need minutes to grow, to make mistakes, and to learn from them. But no, let’s just stick with the same old lineup and hope for different results. That’s the definition of insanity.

So here’s my message to T.J. Otzelberger: Stop being stubborn. Stop overcomplicating this. DeMarion Watson is a weapon, and you’re leaving him in the holster. This team could be so much better if you just gave him a chance. Let him play, let him make mistakes, and let him grow. Because right now, you’re not just hurting him—you’re hurting the team. Wake up and put him in the game before it’s too late.

(I asked deepseek to write me a rant about Demarion Watson not playing enough)

 

[clone1990]

I literally just said that.

I dont know why some of you feel the need to be nasty towards some of us that want him to play more. It's a message board, we aren't allowed to discuss topics like that?

God forbid you should have an opinion on a forum.

 

[clone1990]

I sure wish people on CF who post their opinions would consider this about namecalling: It makes you look weak.

Why? Because when you call someone names for disagreeing with your point of view, it looks like you're incapable of arguing on point. That your points cannot carry the day, are not convincing.

Myself, whenever I see namecalling, I think, 'Well, that guy lost the argument.' But maybe that's just me.

This. I love the argument that some seem to hold that if you haven’t been a DI player or coach you are wrong or your opinion Is wrong. And here I thought forums were for discussion, sharing thoughts and opinions.

 

[Drew0311]

Although people still (incorrectly) dispute this, Watson and Heise - no matter how much fans try to wish/hope it into existence - do not play the same position and are not really close to the same type of player. They are not really exchangeable and the staff isn’t expecting them to be. They play different roles. People see “Heise cut to the hoop really well in the non-con” and think “Ah hah! Watson is a good cutter! See! See! Watson can cut too! He should get those minutes!”

I love DWat and am proud he’s a Cyclone. His impact goes way beyond ‘playing time’. Do I expect him to get many minutes now that Milan is back? No, I really don’t.

They need to be playing the same position to sit Heise and play Watson. We can just use a bigger lineup when Watson comes in. Watson can guard multiple positions. He also is better on offense than Heise. As a matter of fact, besides Jackson and Chatman, nobody really plays a position. Tamin is supposed to be a point guard but jones and Gilbert bring the ball up a ton of the time also.

 

[NoCreativity]

God forbid you should have an opinion on a forum.

Right, I didn't think it was too far fetched to wonder why he didn't get a few minutes in a game we controlled from start to finish and won by 30.

I guess that's off limits to even bring up since we won comfortably.

 

[BeaverClone]

Discount what I say, I do not know the inner workings of basketball X's and O's and coaching.

But, I just watched TJ's post-game press conference, and he spoke about so many elements of the game, when, where, how, who, it seemed like three-dimensional chess. Go watch it. It reminded me of this:

I wish we’d hire this guy for a halftime show instead of watching someone hula hoop for 10 minutes

 

[BeaverClone]

This. I love the argument that some seem to hold that if you haven’t been a DI player or coach you are wrong or your opinion Is wrong. And here I thought forums were for discussion, sharing thoughts and opinions.

Well as someone who played extensive minutes of Division 1 basketball (well not exactly but I did start in senior night for a 2A school) I will maintain the name calling culture on the CF boards and not acknowledge any of your valid talking points because I feel superior to you.

Back to the main issue, I think we’re looking at this all wrong on the Heise vs Watson debate. Are we just all ignoring a JT Rock vs Heise vs Watson situation? Rock is a better shooter than both of them, makes Watson’s wingspan look like Adam Woodbury’s, and you’d have to imagine he’d be a better rebounder since they’ll just have him reach up to the rafters to hang Hali’s Olympic banner here in a couple weeks.

Imagine rolling out the “tree lineup” JJeff at the one, Milan at the two, rock at the three, chat at the four and Big Dog at the five. Would it work? Hell no, but then I wouldn’t have to read through the posters saying that TJ isn’t making enough adjustments to maybe the 2nd best 8 man rotation behind Zoran Tally dropping dimes to Hand Brace and Jakoby Long. With the ultimate floor spacer JBeff locking down the short corner.

 

[rosshm16]

I need Big Dog running point to get excited about that lineup.

 

[BeaverClone]

I need Big Dog running point to get excited about that lineup.

I’m open for adjustments. I think it’d be fitting for Dishon to have to deal with Chatfield’s stone hands on pick and rolls.

 

[AuH2O]

They need to be playing the same position to sit Heise and play Watson. We can just use a bigger lineup when Watson comes in. Watson can guard multiple positions. He also is better on offense than Heise. As a matter of fact, besides Jackson and Chatman, nobody really plays a position. Tamin is supposed to be a point guard but jones and Gilbert bring the ball up a ton of the time also.

Positions aren’t about offense, they are about who you guard. Watson actually can defend the a 4.
The problem is he isn’t great guarding wings on the ball or guards that are getting screens to get shots.

If the other team has a good stretch 4, Watson is good. If the other team has a 4 that doesn’t do much and Watson can be a help defender, he’s great there. He’s also a great rebounder. A big difference between Heise and Watson offensively is Heise being willing and able to handle the ball some vs a press or in the half court.

Again, I still would like to see some rotation minutes for Watson. But I think our fans view his skill set a little different than reality (or at least TJ).

 

[NENick]

They need to be playing the same position to sit Heise and play Watson. We can just use a bigger lineup when Watson comes in. Watson can guard multiple positions. He also is better on offense than Heise. As a matter of fact, besides Jackson and Chatman, nobody really plays a position. Tamin is supposed to be a point guard but jones and Gilbert bring the ball up a ton of the time also.

I dispute that Watson "is better on offense than Heise." They are different players. Neither is counted on for much scoring. Heise appears to be far superior handling the ball, obviously an important offensive skill.

 

[isufbcurt]

This. I love the argument that some seem to hold that if you haven’t been a DI player or coach you are wrong or your opinion Is wrong. And here I thought forums were for discussion, sharing thoughts and opinions.

They are for discussing but the horse is dead so we can stop beating it. The message board super coaches who keep thinking they know more than the coaching staff who has been working these guys out since June are just plain stupid.

Honestly it would be funny to give some of these message board coaches a chance to coach and get their asses embarrassed.

 

[Iastfan112]

This. I love the argument that some seem to hold that if you haven’t been a DI player or coach you are wrong or your opinion Is wrong. And here I thought forums were for discussion, sharing thoughts and opinions.

Also that good coaches and staff's, of which Otzelberger and crew certainly are, should not be critiqued or can't be wrong in some sort of decision.

Smart guys sometimes get it wrong and I don't think it's absurd to suggest based on in game evidence that Watson should get some rotation minutes. This is not a situation where the clamoring is coming based based on recruiting rankings or merely based off a different players poor play, Watson has looked decent when given a chance.

 

[isufbcurt]

I wish we’d hire this guy for a halftime show instead of watching someone hula hoop for 10 minutes

You don't like a hot blonde shaking her body hula hooping?

IMO she should be hired to do that at every timeout.

 

[cyups2323]

Although they do it differently i think heise and watson are pretty equal on the defensive end. I have been told that heise makes shots in practice and I'm guessing the reason that he plays over watson is tj sees a higher upside with heise and he knows that IF nate ever snaps out of this and starts making a few shots and can give us 5 to 10 points a game we become very difficult to beat for anyone. Will nate snap out of it? Noone knows but I think his upside is alot higher on the offensive end.

 

[rosshm16]

Although they do it differently i think heise and watson are pretty equal on the defensive end. I have been told that heise makes shots in practice and I'm guessing the reason that he plays over watson is tj sees a higher upside with heise and he knows that IF nate ever snaps out of this and starts making a few shots and give us 5 to 10 points a game we become very difficult to beat for anyone. Will nate snap out of it? Noone knows but I think his upside is alot higher on the offensive end.

It sounds like it's a similar situation to Curtis Jones early on last year, where he had the continual green light and game-day trust despite a not-great in-game performance overall in the first 10 games or so. Just the way TJ runs things. It turned out great with Curtis, hopefully Nate can turn the corner too.

 

[clone1990]

This. I love the argument that some seem to hold that if you haven’t been a DI player or coach you are wrong or your opinion Is wrong. And here I thought forums were for discussion, sharing thoughts and opinions.

There's on of them. Can always count on them if nothing else.

 

[NoCreativity]

Honestly it would be funny to give some of these message board coaches a chance to coach and get their asses embarrassed.

Would it look just as embarrassing as coaches trying to do our jobs?

Ita simply opinions, I have never seen 1 person on here claim they could be a Division 1 head coach so this is pointless.

 

[clone1990]

They are for discussing but the horse is dead so we can stop beating it. The message board super coaches who keep thinking they know more than the coaching staff who has been working these guys out since June are just plain stupid.

Honestly it would be funny to give some of these message board coaches a chance to coach and get their asses embarrassed.

The usually characters with their thumbs up.

 

[clone1990]

They are for discussing but the horse is dead so we can stop beating it. The message board super coaches who keep thinking they know more than the coaching staff who has been working these guys out since June are just plain stupid.

Honestly it would be funny to give some of these message board coaches a chance to coach and get their asses embarrassed.

Maybe the self-appointed moderators should just choose a different thread.