Should We Rest the Starters Now?

I don't really think HCA is worth pursuing anymore, we need a lot to happen to overtake Cleveland. I never thought we were going to obtain it anyways, and was always for resting the starters from the start. Now that we've clinched HCA against Boston and Orlando, I really believe that's all that matters. Obviously HCA against Cleveland is better than no HCA, but out of the three, they're the team I'm least worried about.

I think in the next couple of games (I think we have 3 left), Phil should try to limit Kobe and Pau's minutes. Along with D-Fish and Lamar if possible. Or just allow Rambis to coach so he can rest up for the postseason. I don't really care but there really isn't anything to play for now. Running up minutes for the starters just increases the risk of injury and fatigue. Plus it's basically a waste.

Personally I'd give them about 30 minutes max for the last couple of games, since there's nothing to play for. Give guys like Shannon Brown some run, so he can be more familiar with the triangle and eat up more of Jordan's minutes. Give Sasha some more run, maybe he'll gain more confidence in his shot. DJ and JP to give them some rhythm, and AMMO to evaluate if he has anything left in the tank. Run some plays for Drew to get him going and boost up his confidence.

But yeah, just get the guys some rest heading into the playoffs. Today's loss was disappointing, but taking everything in as a whole, very good season so far. Looking forward to the postseason

 

Yeah I think the people at LG are totally going to make a huge deal out of this, but it is better we fail a bit now than later.

I want the coaching staff to look at all of our faults, while keeping our rhythm so we don't get too cold or anything.

 

It's not a big deal but I think we can beat the Grizz with relative ease. Once we play play the Jazz we should know if the Cavs have been officially knocked out. I don't think we need to do much differently in our next game.

 

lol

LG always freaks out over a loss.

 

Yeah, get Drew into an even better flow, he's showing he can be a warrior with his recent games. Not the best touch tonight but he is much better than Powell, and our other bigs can be interchanged at the 4/5 so he fits so well with us obviously. I'm kind of proud of him that he made it back.

 

The Grizzlies haven't been THAT bad as of late. We've won five of the last seven and that's pretty good for Grizzlies' standards.

 

If we don't aim for HCA in the end, we maybe WANT to lose the game against Utah to be sure that we face Dallas in 1st round.

 

I think we need to pace our minutes, not too many but not too few. We need to keep the flow going, if the Jazz keep slipping that is their problem and a reflection on their inability to avoid us.

 

Meh you know, I'm not sure what we'll do, it really depends on how weak they look by then. Sometimes teams in a slump are what you want to face.

 

Yeah they should rest the starters and let the bench play some more so they could figure out ways to win without help from the starters. That should benefit us in the playoffs when some of the starters aren't playing as well as they usually do.

 

Does Trev need to rest up? I hear he might have a minor issue with his finger and he has it wrapped recently IIRC.

 

I'm all about getting rest now. HCA is basically out of reach cause I don't see the Cavs squandering a 2 game lead on that. Might as well get the starters some rest and get the bench some quality minutes to get them a little more ready for the playoffs.

And FWIW, I don't think we need HCA to beat the Cavs. We've beaten them at their place without Bynum and we manhandled them at Staples with 'Drew. We also know how to defend LeBron and shut him down (as much as you can shut him down). The Cavs don't worry me. Plus, I don't even think they're making it out of the East.

 

I saw you guys played the Grizzlies tonight, remembered past injuries and thought, oh fuck.

 

I want the Lakers to win it all, but if Andrew Bynum gets injured against the Grizzlies again, I'll laugh in front of the TV.

 

If the Cavs win today (which it looks like they're going to), the Lakers should say fuck it and sit their starters for the rest of the season. It's very improbable the Lakers would get HCA if the Cavs win today anyways.

 

Not sit completely, you don't want the Lakers to be too rusty in their first playoff game.

Yeah take it easy.

 

Yeah, I'm not meaning sit them out. Just no more than 30 minutes. Especially for guys like Kobe/Pau/Derek, who have played a lot of minutes this year. Ideally they play most of the first half and sit out most of the second. I'm not worried about the out come. Draw up more plays for Drew to get him going.