Ben's decreasing offensive touches is definitely due to Flip's offense. In past years, Ben would often be the one keying the offense from the elbow. Now Flip has Rasheed doing that. And to be honest, it makes more sense that way - Rasheed is a better mid-range jump shooter, passer and ball handler.

The problem is that if Ben doesn't touch the ball to start things out, there really is no good reason he should touch it that often on offense. He is a good passer, but defenders tend to sag on him cutting down the passing options. And he definitely doesn't draw extra defenders to him so that doesn't really open up any players. I agree that Ben is an underrated passer, but most likely Sheed is better because of the defensive reaction when he has his the ball.

They should try to give him more slashing to the hole options. But the reality is his offensive role is going to be reduced if he doesn't get that initial touch at the elbow. That may be frustrating to him, but the offense seems to run better with Sheed being the main big-man passer.

But I still get the feeling there is something else going on, because the Ben we knew the last few years wouldn't let a little less offensive activity bother his defensive domination. And definitely wouldn't have spawned some of the "I'm lost and upset" comments coming from Ben's mouth of late.

Maybe he is more injured than he lets on. But in that case, lets give him some games off to get healthy, - condition Dale, maybe develop Darko/Maxiel (whoever you want).