The playoff lineup will purely depend on matchups. Nate is a matchup coach. If they put more size on the floor, Webster will get the minutes. If not, Bayless will. Chances are, they will only get spot minutes and Rudy will get most of them. Just like last night.
Yep. Truly, the big question I've got about our lineup going into the playoffs isn't whether Bayless or Webster should be getting more backup minutes. It's whether Nate should start allocating more minutes to Batum.
Nic has only played 5 games out of 27 since coming back where he played more than 30 minutes. He's averaging only 23 mpg (although that is trending up lately).
Who would you rather see:
a) Batum play 11 more mpg
b) Webster get those minutes
c) Bayless get those minutes
d) Fernandez get those minutes
For me, going into the playoffs, it's clearly a).
Like last night--Batum didn't put up great stats, but he was very effective in teaming with Camby to just lock down the defense at times. His two blocks were huge layup-savers. He was just Mr. Intangible last night. Yet only 23 minutes?
It's not like he looks like he's getting tired. I've noticed no real difference in energy.
If I could ask Nate one question right now, it'd be, "What do Bayless/Webster/Fernandez give you with those 11 minutes that Batum doesn't?" I just don't see it.