Players like Brian Roberts or Cliff Alexander can give us a different look, they're both players that allow us more options, I think if they get a DNP it's the coach's fault. I'm not talking about someone like Caunaghton who currently doesn't have a place in the league other than in garbage time... Alexander is a better interior scoring option than anyone we have at PF. Roberts is the only PG we have besides Dame and CJ and should at least play some of the minutes when one of them sits. I'm not saying either should play major minutes or that they could never get a DNP, but I think not using them by default is poor coaching
This is not the time of season where you go 11 deep. Maybe the first 2 months or so, but the rotation should get tighter. We are fighting for playoff positioning.
Agreed. Now that the Blazers are a legit playoff threat, guys like Montero and Alexander probably won't see a lot of minutes. With all of the free agents the team will have this summer, there will be opportunity to move up the rotation ladder next year if they can show Stotts some improvement.
how much did CJ, as a lotto pick making millions, play in his first couple of years? Now, how much would undrafted projects (one of whom has already been injured) on long-ish term deals making league minimum play? Don't get me wrong, I love that they got locked up in case they do get some smattering of potential, but the NBA isn't "everyone gets to play" time. Whose minutes are you dropping to get Alexander in the game. And Roberts is 30. What upside do you think he's bringing that's worth having CJ or Henderson or Crabbe sit?
No team goes 12 deep in their rotation. It just doesn't happen. Even if you became a fan of the Spurs you aren't going to see all the bench guys play outside of a huge blowout.
Good points, but then you bring up Roberts? WTF does Roberts need with "upside." He's good, right now. If we had LBJ would he not make the rotation because of limited upside? 8-10 minutes every third game would keep Dame's minutes down by about 2-3/game, making him less tired for a stretch run/playoffs and less injury prone.
I was bringing up Roberts in the vein that, why is it the coach's fault if he gets a DNP? I could almost see if you were bringing up Alexander and Montero to "develop" in a "tank" season, but we're not. And for Roberts, it's not like you're trying to develop him, and while I have no doubt that he's better than Frazier (who got about the minutes he deserved) it really would be the coach's fault to sit a much better player (like CJ) or one who's established his role in the rotation (like Crabbe) to go with someone just because they're new. LBJ is better than the guy we would sit him for. Roberts is not. He doesn't have a "different look", as he plays PG by shooting decently from deep and passing the ball with a smattering of D. He's a perfectly serviceable backup that I wouldn't be shocked if he plays decently if CJ or Dame goes down. As for Dame's minutes, he's right at 36 (same as last two years and down from 39 his rookie year) and I don't remember thinking in the last couple of stretch runs and playoffs "Man, Dame looks tired. And he seems to be getting nagging injuries."
and if I'm being honest, I'm much more concerned with CJ's minutes (35 mpg, when he's never played 16) and any "wall" he might hit than Dame's. But I think we're quite stocked at the wings and can overcome that if he needs a few more minutes' break with Henderson, Crabbe (Harkless?) and the like.
BWA, check out http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14757066/nba-schedule-breaking-players Again, a few minutes by Roberts every 2 or 3 games would reduce our backcourt minutes. Most ACL injuries occur after a player has play 33 minutes in a game.
I'm not sure I understand what you are trying to say. Alexander is a DeAndre Jordan type of scorer. Dunks everything, has nice touch around the rim with decent post moves. He has an improving mid range shot, but if he isn't an interior scorer then I'm not sure what he is.
What post moves? When has he even had a chance to demonstrate any post moves? Or touch, for that matter? We have no idea what--if anything--Alexander can do.
Better to remain silent and thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt Exhibit A folks for why universal internet access is a bad idea.
Lately Dame and CJ minute has been down the reason why they average what they got was they play alot minutes first of the year. Stotts is trusting his bench now that has reduce there minutes.
Don't underestimate the importance of passing. If you have one guy playing with the 2nd unit who is not comfortable with it, then a couple turnovers can be costly. I have no idea how good Cliff Alexander is right now as a rookie, but this was part of his Draft Express breakdown and might explain his lack of playing time....so far. "Alexander also ranks as one of the worst passers in this year's draft class, generating just 12 assists in 492 minutes of action this season, or one for every 41 minutes he's on the floor. His 5.4% assist percentage ranks second worst among players currently projected to get drafted, as he simply doesn't read the floor very well, is predictable with what he's trying to accomplish, and struggles to react to what the defense throws at him, often looking very rushed with his moves"
