We've played 9 back to backs in 28 total games. We haven't had more than a day off between games in more than 3 weeks--- aka no full practices. We're just trailing Minnesota (by one game) for most road games played (16). I guess things will even out later, but this is a time when most teams build momentum, and we just can't seem to get any at a crucial juncture. Aldridge just had an interview on radio and he couldn't even speak two sentences continuously without pausing and catching his breath. He mentioned that there was no way he could take 20 FGAs tonight and was picking his spots, etc.,
...look at the Clippers schedule for the entire month of February http://www.nba.com/clippers/schedule/
11 straight on the road (although one is against the Lakers). That's because the Staples Center hosts something that time of the year. The Lakers have a similar schedule, but have 2 home games thrown in (Atlanta and the Clippers), and they host the ASG again. The Lakers last 2 months are a tough schedule, especially the last month. Outside of Portland (in Portland), @ GS and @ Sacramento, they have nothing but playoff teams (unless Denver trades Anthony).
As difficult as it is to design a schedule, I think you need to also figure in flight time when putting together a schedule. Due to the moving of the Supes and Grizz as well as the realignment of the former Pacific Division, we're in a geographic pickle. Our closest division rival is 900 miles away. I don't have the stats, but I have to imagine we fly the most miles of any team in the league. In my mind, that should mean we play fewer back-to-backs. I think teams like New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Philly, etc. who rarely fly far should have more B2Bs.
And it's NOT even close! When we hit those road trips back east it is a joke! Milwaukee to Chicago........ NJ to Philly? Those flights are a joke!
Exactly - can't do much about geography, but why not have a road trip of cities close together in some logical order, like Indiana/Chicago/Detroit? And no need for so many back to backs. The Blazers on a second night of a back to back played a Warriors team that had 3 days off, and a 1 1/2 hour flight to Portland.
You can minimize travel. Last time I watched Pac 8 basketball the road trips visited pairs of teams. A team would play UCLA and USC one weekend, Cal and Stanford another weekend, Oregon and Oregon State another weekend, and Washington and WSU another. Maybe things have changed, I haven't followed the Pac 8 the last couple of seasons.
