Eric May

[PhotoHawk]

Honestly, I think it has about as much to do with the position and role he is being asked to play as anything else. When Gatens was out, Eric was expected to be "the man" and provide some offense and he seemed to accept the challenge and was much more comfortable doing so from the wing or top of the key. I have a feeling his confidence took a bit of a hit when at least some of the coaching staff repeatedly tell the media how they need to run the offense through Matt and how they want Matt to be "the man" taking 15-20 shots per game. Additionally, Eric is now back to working baseline to baseline a lot more which is where he struggled most last season in terms of getting shots to drop plus he doesn't have quite as many mismatches as he often finds himself guarded by someone 6'8 or 6'9 so he doesn't feel he can rise and pop the 15 footer at the elbow while at the same time can't blow by the guy as he still needs a bit more work on his dribble penetration.

 

[sportstalent]

Yeah, I know... I answered it as nicely as I could.

That is the only way to answer it...

Eric hasn't played well since Matt has been back, look at his stats since then, it makes no sense as things should open up for him with Matt on the floor.

 

[storminspank]

Do you think it's just about readjusting to a different style of play?

No, because the first quarter of the season he looked just fine.

 

[Cydkar]

Scouting? Make him put it on the floor...to his left. That doesn't explain defensive performance.

 

[DodgerHawki]

My guess....

It's not just offensively... Eric was getting a lot of steals on the D end, now he isn't. Sure, the competition has steepened, but there's been a huge drop off. He hasn't had a single steal in 4 of the last 5 games he has played after averaging almost 3 steal per game.

It's odd.

and it's only a guess, is that he is not 100% healthy with the groin. I would guess the groin has been bothering him for a while and it finally became too much after the Illinois game. May's game is all about having some explosion and ability to elevate. He's shown neither recently. We'll see him bounce back if he can get healthy.