I do think we are playing the starters less minutes than last season. There were many games we had to keep them out there 40+ to have a chance, but then we got blown out a few games where they sat a bunch bringing their average down. This season is different, we don't have to rush starters back in the game so the minutes haven't been as difficult and are more steady game to game. But as the season goes on I think our starters productivity per minutes may begin to decrease if they play this many minutes. Parker is the only Spur averaging over 30 MPG and he is at 31.5. They have young guys too Kawhi is only 22, younger than any player in our rotation. I think Stotts should play our starters fewer minutes. Wright can see the largest increase, up to 20mpg+. Keep Mo just under 30. Freeland or TRob can get a few more minutes but they are making some mistakes out there so I would be cautious in how I used them.
Aldridge & Lillard are averaging right around 37 minutes a game, according to nba.com. It's the 12th and 13th most minutes in the league - meaning they're not bearing the same kind of load as Carmelo Anthony for New York (almost 40 minutes over 11 games), or Kevin Durant (39.7 mpg), but it's definitely on the high side. After that, Batum at 35 mpg is the only one playing relatively heavy minutes. Are those a problem? I think the Blazers are trying to set a predictable rhythm for everyone - and considering how many new players there are coming off the bench, that may take a while. But I think once Wright, Williams, and T-Rob settle into their roles, they'll be trusted to play a couple more minutes a night, and that'll help bring Aldridge and Lillard down a little.
They're +5.7 in MOV. That's not too bad, considering they have played two more games on the road than at home. In the NBA, unless a team is up by 20 with 3 minutes left (or 30 with a quarter left), the starters typically don't have their minutes deviate more than a few minutes/game.
Yeah, maybe if we are down some ridiculous 20 points in the 3rd quarter, sit the starters for an extended period of time.
Indiana is in a similar boat with their starters all averaging ~35 mpg. It's not uncommon, but ya, I'd like to see these guys get some rest. Particularly Dame because he gets knocked down so much. Edit: looked it up. Indiana: PG- 37 Lance- 35 Hill- 31 West- 30 Hibbert- 30 Portland: Dame- 37 LA- 37 Nic- 35 Wes- 35 Robin- 29 Very similar. CJ coming back and TRob getting some more PT will help.
You would think CJ would reduce Wes' minutes a little. But Wright has not reduced Nic's by very much. And he is a vet who has been playing well. But I still am not concerned. Long season and I am sure Terry will find the right time to increase their roles.
I think that has a lot to do with batum being a facilitator. He is really playing the "Blazer Pippen" type role with this ball club. I think that's why his playing time is more warranted.
Here's a couple more: GSW Iggy: 38 Klay: 37 Curry: 33 (but missed 2 games) Lee: 31 Bogut: 27 HOU Harden: 39 Parsons: 38 Howard: 35 Lin: 32 Beverley: 29 (missed 3 games)
I think you are correct. But it shows how important he is to the team. So they will eventually need to give him a few more minutes off. Just in case.
I agree. I think it's really important to win games we are supposed to win by large margins so these starters can rest. We need some gimmies!
To be fair, there's a possibility we 'could' be blowing teams out more if we played our bench more minutes and gave our guys more of a breather. It's not likely, but it's possible. Hard to tell.
Maybe when we all said he could be like Pippen when he was younger, he went and studied the Blazers version instead of the Bulls version. It'd be a nice addition to his game to study some Bulls Pippen too. Still only 24, after he masters the passing and two man games he's been doing who knows what he'll do next.
