The thing we (fans) should understand and take note of is
we are fans, not coaches. We don't think like a coach, we think like fans. Geno knows what he is doing, and is always thinking ahead. One very important thing that must be mentioned here......We watch the game on TV. There are things that happen that you will see if your in attendance that you won't see on TV.
Also, sometimes players are out of position or not where they are suppose to be, or they make a mental or physical error that results in a turnover or a basket for the opposition. Geno sees that and we don't. HE knows what the offense is suppose to run, we don't. HE knows who is doing what they are suppose to do every minute they are on the floor. All we see is what we see. Something to think about.
The 5 players he has on the floor at any given time are out there at HIS discretion for a reason. While we are emotionally involved with certain players, and want to see them get minutes, he is not. He's not concerned about the optics. He's looking for certain things from certain players given the current situation of that game.
There was a reason Autumn didn't play yesterday and Saylor did. He has plans and expectations for Saylor that he does not for Autumn. Many many times over the years (during the course of a game) Chris Dailey has had to tell or remind Geno of something because he was so focused on game action, he's was not conscious of it. Coaches know who they want in the game at any given time. They know what each one of their players can and can't do. When Geno puts Mir (or any other player) into the game, it's because he needs what she brings and can do at that particular time in the game. He's not thinking.........oh, I need to let Mir get some minutes because she hasn't played yet.
There was a reason Paige was put back in the game late. It's easy to coach from our living room recliners. It's much different being on the sidelines. As long as Geno continues to coach, we (some of us) will continue to question his decisions and substitutions. We also don't have to answer some of the "clown questions" or redundant questions he is often peppered with after the game, and explain why we did thus and so. Walk a mile in his shoes. It's not as easy or s simple as it looks.